A fast start was ultimately in vain, as Alfreton Town suffered a 6-2 defeat at high-flying Merthyr. Despite a quickfire double in the opening 15 minutes, the Reds struggled to contain a rampant Martyrs frontline which included the league’s top goalscorer, Ricardo Rees.
On-loan striker Mark Beck continued his fantastic form in front of goal, but the side couldn’t see out victory in a chilly South Wales.
Alfreton replicated their habit of scoring early by taking the lead inside five minutes, mirroring the opening exchanges of Tuesday night’s FA Trophy win against Gainsborough Trinity. It was the same goalscorer, Beck, who put the visitors ahead, converting a penalty won by Lewis Salmon.
Salmon then turned provider in the 12th minute, supplying the assist for the Reds’ second. After charging down the right flank and sending a ball across the face of goal, Siya Ligendza’s deft touch sent it trickling beyond Jaimie Cogman in the Merthyr net — the perfect start for Ofton.
However, the South Wales side forged a path back into the game through Cole Jarvis’ first of the afternoon. After a scramble in the goalmouth, the 24-year-old’s strike from the edge of the area deceived Harry Burgoyne via the aid of a double deflection, sending belief throughout Penydarren Park.
The hosts then found an equaliser late in the half. Rees proved why he is the top bagsman in the division by grabbing his first of the day, evading the defence and lobbing Burgoyne to draw his side level.
Merthyr would go on to complete the comeback just before the hour mark. Jarvis bagged his brace from midfield, finding a pocket on the edge of the area before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the top right corner.
The second period proved to be a half of dominance for the Martyrs, and Rees ensured their victory on 80 minutes. A carbon copy of Jarvis’ second — a swift turn and a rocket into the top corner — left Alfreton with too big a deficit to overcome with just 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
They began to run away with it with little time remaining, as Welshman Lewys Twamley got the hosts’ fifth. Receiving the ball in the six-yard box, the number 11 forced the ball over the line from close range, despite the best efforts of Burgoyne.
Rees completed the rout in stoppage time, finishing off a sweeping team move to condemn Alfreton to defeat on their first return to Wales in nine years.
