Alfreton, with 5 wins from their last 9 came into this FA Trophy tie with a solid record, and full of confidence after the recent 1-0 win in Warrington in National League North

There was a late change to the lineup, with Askew replacing Willis in goal, however apart from that it was an unchanged XI from the side who beat Warrington.

It was a chilly afternoon at the Impact Arena as the Reds beat Needham Market 3-2 to secure progression to the next round of the competition 

It didn’t take long for the hosts to take the lead and it was an unlikely scorer in Josh Clackstone who fired it into the bottom corner just outside the box with a terrific strike strike.

The home side continued to dominate and kept the visiting Marketmen under pressure. It was a good start by Alfreton in this FA Trophy tie, with the team looking organised and effective.

It wasn’t long before the home side doubled their lead either, a hopeful ball from Clackstone found its way to Lewis Salmon who brought  it down beautifully, and finished it brilliantly into the bottom corner past Cullum in the Needham Market goal

Needham Market barely had a sniff in that first half, making minimal inrodes into the Ofton final third.

They struggled to keep hold of the ball, but that was due to the superb defensive shape off the ball from the home side, who shut out anything that came their way.

The visitors did have a threatening free kick on the edge of the area and after a scramble in the box, Jake Day managed to clear for the Reds. 

Corners and long throws continued being the main threat for the Reds, with Alfreton making the most of the first and second balls in and around the box. Needham struggled to cope aerially.

The second half began with very little action, Alfreton continued to defend very well and kept their shape but the visitors offered very little in attack.

On 52 minutes Danny Cullum pulled off an excellent double save. Billy Whitehouse let fly with a vicious raspong shot which was fisted away in to the path of the in form Liam Waldock who forced another good save from Danny Cullum

The visitors, after a cagey second half, manage to get themselves a goal back. The shot from Allen is deflected and Chambers heads it into the back of the net as Askew is wrong footed by the initial shot by Allen. An unlucky goal to concede.

From absolutely nowhere, the visitors almost level it. A brilliant ball across the box is just beyond the striker’s reach. Alfreton were hanging on midway through the second half.

In an attempt to sway the game back in the Reds’ favour, Billy Heath brought on substitute David Moyo to replace Jake Day, who added some much needed fresh legs.

Abbey also came on to replace Salmon, who had an excellent game, putting Alfreton two up in the first half.

Liam Waldock then restored the advantage for the home side on 78 minutes after some good work by Abbey to set him up. It’s then rolled in by the number 10 who celebrates by imitating drinking a pint!

The scoring was complete deep in stoppage time when Dwayne Wiley brought down substitute Chambers in the area and after a penalty was awarded Luke Ingram beat Jake Askew from 12 yards to become the all time leading goalscorer in Needham Market history. 

Alfreton saw out the game to secure the victory.
The draw for the next round will take place on Monday afternoon. Keep an eye on our social media channels.