Alfreton come into today unbeaten in their last two, picking up four points from a 1-1 draw at home against Kidderminster and a fantastic midweek victory over Chorley 1-0. 

Manager Jake Buxton opts to make just the one change to his side with Taylor Anderson slipping on the right side replacing Harry Perritt as the Town continue on with their new 3 at the back system. 

Kick-off: Alfreton Town 0-0 AFC Fylde 

The visitors would get us underway in their all white home strip, but the the ball would soon get turned over and Alfreton would make a positive start to the game enjoying a spell on the ball before a long ball by Leckie would be flicked on by Ligendza to Anderson who would find the on coming Cantrill but his effort would bounce just wide of the far post. 

From the resulting goal kick, Jones would go short to Taylor who sends a long ball forward where Ormerod flicks to Ustabasi who plays the ball down the channel to Luca Thomas down the right hand side, who is allowed into the box and awarded too much space, firing into the bottom right corner and giving Fylde an early lead. 

Burgoyne would be called into action just two minutes later after a switch out to Colclough but his shot was tame and Burgoyne held easily, that shot would be the former Wigan man’s last contribution to the game as he looked to have twinged his right hamstring whilst firing at goal. Colclough would be replaced by Charlie Jolley. 

Fylde would hold the ball for long periods of this first half enjoying possession mainly in their defensive third where Alfreton were happy to sit off but every time Fylde would attempt to move forward and pass the ball into the net Alfreton had the bodies to deny Fylde space in and around the box. 

Alfreton’s best opportunity of the first half came from great play by Bayley McCann down the left hand side who beat Coates with a quick change of pace before floating the ball into the box where Taylor does well to clear but Alfreton work the ball to Nathan Newall who delivered a whipped cross to the back post which had Jones scrambling to punch clear, Jones punches the ball into Fewster and the ball bounces behind for the goal kick. 

Alfreton struggled to work their way out of the box, which is a credit to AFC Fylde’s press, squeezing high on the ball every time possession was turned over forcing Alfreton to look long and turn possession back over to the Coasters. 

The last chance of the half would fall to the hosts when Taylor Anderson and Billy Fewster would link up down the right flank delivering into the box where Fylde can only half clear before the visitors are awarded a free kick as both sides look to latch onto the loose ball. 

Referee Liam Smith would blow his whistle after four minutes of added time bringing the first half to a close. 

Half time: Alfreton Town 0-1 AFC Fylde

The referee blows his whistle and we are back underway with the ball being rolled back to Adam Lund who sends the ball high onto the AFC Fylde defence who are pressed much higher and more aggressively than we saw in the first half resulting in the visitors having to boot the ball long where Alfreton can regain possession. 

Alfreton were piling the pressure on the visitors early in the second half through Adam Lund’s throws deep into the six yard box but Ofton unable to work Zac Jones in goal. 

Both sides were equalling each other out since the restart with neither side able to work either keeper. Jake Buxton was the first manager to turn to his bench replacing Taylor Anderson and Billy Fewster with Mark Beck and Harry Perritt as the Reds change shape and system in a bid for an equaliser. 

The changes to the system had completely flipped the game with Alfreton massively on top for long periods in the second half with the Ofton winning a number of freekicks in and around the penalty area. 

In an attempt to bypass the Alfreton Town press AFC Fylde were forced into going long from goalkicks but Max Hunt and Jack Leckie stayed strong in the air to keep winning the ball over for the hosts. 

Despite everything Alfreton were throwing at the visitors, the long throws, the corners, the free kick deliveries. The Fylde defence stayed strong with captain Corey Whelan especially as the hosts were still not able to work Jones in the goal. 

As we entered the final ten minutes of the game, Ligendza was making a storming run down the right, beating three of the Fylde defenders to win the hosts a corner. The corner was swung into the box where Perritt and the Fylde defender both battling for the ball with Perritt being deemed to have made the final contact. 

A freekick from the half way line was swung in by Burgoyne with everybody up for the Reds as we entered stoppage time, the hosts throwing the kitchen sink at Fylde but Taylor wins the header and Fylde can clear the ball. 

The last chance and best chance off the match fell to jed Abbey on the right hand side of the goal after Mark Beck’s flicks the ball over the Fylde defender but Jed’s side footed shot couldn’t replicate the heroics of last weekend’s last minute equaliser, as the referee blows the full time whistle bringing proceedings to an end.

Full time: Alfreton Town 0-1 AFC Fylde 

The visitors were able to hold on to the lead and take the three points back to Mill Farm. A fantastic display by the Reds as a four point week against three top 10 opponents will leave Jake Buxton happy and the fans more optimistic that the Reds will get out of the current predicament. 

The Reds will now look to Tuesday night when the Reds host Spennymoor Town in the Enterprise National League North.