The Reds welcome playoff chasing Kidderminster Harriers to the Impact Arena hoping to better last weekend’s disappointing derby day display away to Buxton.
Manager Jake Buxton opted to make three changes to his side, handing new loan signings Harry Hawkins and Bailey McCann their debuts as well as calling on Jed Abbey to make a return to the first team.
Dropping to the bench from last weekend were Lewis Salmon and Harry Perritt with George Cantrill missing out all together due to suspension.
Kick-off: Alfreton Town 0-0 Kidderminster Harriers
The Reds would get us underway, with the custom kick-off routine, rolling the ball back to Adam Lund who sends the ball long and into the corner hoping to win the Reds a throw inn.
The first chance of the match would fall to Siyabonga Ligendza who spins on the ball just outside off the penalty area, striking towards goal only for his effort to go comfortably wide off Dibble’s post via a deflection.
The away side would muster up their first opportunity of the match when Luke Spokes played the ball across the box towards Sho-Silva whose effort was sent high flying over the bar.
A free kick from 25 yards out gave Kidderminster an opportunity to grab the opening goal, when Owen Evans’ strike was met by the hands of Burgoyne, parrying the ball out for a corner.
A fantastic move from the Reds down the left-hand side found the ball at the feet of McCann who drives into the box before delivering the cross low only for his delivery to be cleared behind by Obi at the front post.
A poor delivery from the resulting corner gives Kidderminster the opportunity to break, where shots from the edge by Spokes and Mooney are blocked brilliantly by the Reds defence before a shot by captain Morgan-Smith is sent high over the cross bar.
Kidderminster enjoy the majority of the ball but were limited to pot shots from outside the area which have either been sent high and wide of the goal or blocked by a defiant Alfreton back line.
Kidderminster won a corner in the last minute of added on time, with Owen Evans to deliver the inswinger to the far post where it was not dealt with by Alfreton allowing Tobi Sho-Silva to tap home from close range, seconds before the half time whistle.
Half-time: Alfreton Town FC 0-1 Kidderminster Harriers FC
Kidderminster get us back underway in the second half sending the ball high onto the head of Taylor Anderson who deals with the aerial ball well.
A second half littered full of set pieces with neither team managing to grab hold of the match, as neither team was able to work either keeper in the first 15 minutes of the half.
Nathan Newall picks up the ball on the half-way line before launching the ball high into the corner for Ligendza to flick the ball onto the feet of Taylor Anderson who does well to control the ball before slotting the ball below the oncoming Dibble in net, only to have his equaliser ruled out by the offside flag.
An opportunity for the visitors goes a begging as the free kick that is sent long is won by Morgan-Smith who manages to find Sho-Silva who fires towards goal only to be denied by the body of Burgoyne before the ball is cleared by the Reds defence.
Both sides look to the bench with Sho-Silva being replaced by Reece Devine for the visitors, just moments before Taylor Anderson is replaced by Joe Dodoo.
As we enter the final minute of added time Adam Lund throws the ball to Newell who sends a long hopeful ball forward eventually finding the feet of Max Hunt who stabs a cross into the box where Ligendza meets the cross flicking the ball onto the inside of Christian Dibble’s near post, who can do nothing but watch the ball cross the line for a deserved equaliser.
Full-Time: Alfreton Town 1-1 Kidderminster Harriers
A well fought point at home with Ligendza heading home in the final seconds off added time.
The Reds wont have to wait long as they head on the road once more away to Chorley on Tuesday evening hoping that today can give them a platform to build upon as we look to get out of the difficult circumstances we find ourselves in.
