Alfreton Town welcome Spennymoor Town to the Impact Arena tomorrow afternoon for our first home league fixture of the 2020/21 National League North season, kick off is 3pm behind closed doors.

2020 has been quite the year in one of the most challenging years to date for the club and for all non league clubs up and down the pyramid. Covid-19 struck in March which ended the 2019/20 season as the Reds played their last league fixture at the Impact Arena against Brackley Town in a 4-2 defeat on March 14.

The Reds preparations for 2020/21 began with our new home and away kits released as well as a host of new faces joining the club including the likes of Dan Bradley, George Willis, James Jones and Nicky Walker.

Pre season then began in late August as we faced Basford, Mickleover, Winterton Rangers, Notts County, Chesterfield, Altrincham and Birmingham City U23s. Pre season saw some impressive results with only Notts and the Blues U23s defeating us during pre season.

The ongoing saga of allowing supporters into stadiums at non league level has stretched on with the Reds considered as 'Elite', all of our league fixtures will be played behind closed doors as instructed by government guidelines and protocols. However we hope to welcome our supporters back to the Impact Arena and back on the road as soon as possible and as soon as government guidelines will allow to do so.

The Reds began the 2020/21 season with what proved to be a gruelling encounter at Coalville Town in the FA Cup 2QR last Saturday, we emerged 2-1 winners thanks to first half goals from Dom Smith and Jake Day to set up a 3QR tie at FC United of Manchester next Tuesday night.

We then travelled to Curzon Ashton on Monday night to kick off the new league season and fought to an intense point in a 1-1 draw. Dominic Knowles gave the hosts the lead in the first half before James Jones planted a header home in first half stoppage time.

The Reds battled and again produced a really good defensive performance in monsoon conditions and after just a day recovery from the Coalville fixture. It was another impressive display and a point away from home to start the NLN. With more time to prepare for tomorrow's test, the Reds will head into the fixture with refreshment.

We'll be looking to write some new history against the Moors with the Reds yet to beat them in the last six meetings in the National League North (D1, L5). Spenny have also won the last three meetings at the Impact Arena (1-4, 1-7, 0-2).

Spennymoor started their season with an FA Cup 2QR tie at Bradford (Park Avenue) with the Moors winning 3-1 at the Horsfall to progress to the next round and a meeting with Chester. The visitors then started their league campaign on Tuesday night with a 2-1 win over Farsley Celtic at The Brewery Field.

Rob Ramshaw opened the scoring before Farsley goalkeeper Steven Drench saw red for a handball outside the area, before Glen Taylor headed in a second before the hour. Jake Charles pulled a goal back with eight minutes remaining, but Moors held on in the end after missing a host of chances to put the game out of sight.

Venue:
The Impact Arena - No home or away supporters are permitted to attend the fixture due to FA Guidelines on Elite sports.

Spennymoor Last Fixture:
Tuesday 6th October: Spennymoor Town 2-1 Farsley Celtic (NLN)

Reds Last Fixture:
Monday 5th October: Curzon Ashton 1-1 Reds (NLN)

Last Meeting:
Saturday 22nd February 2020: Spennymoor 5-0 ATFC
A penalty from Glen Taylor in the first half saw Spennymoor take a 1-0 lead at the break, before four second half goals from James Roberts, Nathan Buddle and a Rob Ramshaw double sealed a heavy defeat for the Reds.