Alfreton Town continued their pre-season programme with a facile win at Armthorpe Welfare on Tuesday night, despite being held 1-1 at the interval, the Reds running riot in the closing stages as the hosts wilted.
Chris Hall gave Alfreton a ninth
minute lead when he lashed home a Paul Clayton pull-back from 12 yards, then a very good save by home keeper Jamie Green denied Clayton as he ran sublimely on to Nathan Arnold's perfect 13th minute pass.
A minute later Aden Flint crashed a header against the square crossbar from a Hall corner, but the Reds then took their foot off the pedal and allowed Armthorpe to raise their game.
Paddy Gamble had to react quickly to block a sharp drive by Stuart Preston in the 43rd minute, but could not prevent Craig Morley's equaliser in first half added time as he headed in from Preston's free-kick.
Within three minutes of the start of the second half though Alfreton had restored their lead when Anthony Wilson won a penalty as central defender Adam Watson brought him down, and Anthony Howell made no mistake from the spot.
Two tremendous runs by Liam Hearn could have brought a third goal, but Watson intervened in the 62nd minute as Anthony Wilson prepared to convert the cross, then four minutes later a similar move ended with Ian Ross steering the ball against the foot of the post.
Hearn was rewarded with a goal in the 81st minute when he thumped home Anthony Wilson's pass from ten yards, then the move of the game five minutes later brought a fourth for the Reds.
Kyle McFadzean carefully picked out Hearn for another mesmerising run that allowed Ross to pick his spot as Armthorpe defenders floundered around him, then in the 89th minute the best goal of the game came deservedly from Anthony Wilson who lobbed Green from 20 yards after receiving a pass from Jordan Hall.
Next up for the Reds is a home game against Luton Town this Saturday (July 24th, 3pm). Admission is £6 for adults and £3 concessions.
Armthorpe Welfare : Jamie Green, Ben Muirhead, Henry Sibenge, Craig Morley, Adam Watson, David Buck, Chris Dyson (Craig Wilkinson 87), Stuart Preston, Craig Dyson (Liam Hardy (60), Bruno Holden, Tony Bennett.
Only two substitutes named.
Alfreton Town:
First half team: Paddy Gamble, Josh Law, Chris Shaw, Aden Flint, Matt Wilson, Darren Stride, Jake Moult, Anton Brown, Paul Clayton, Nathan Arnold, Chris Hall.
Second half team: Ross Turner, Matt Wilson, Aden Flint, Darren Stride, Anton Brown (Cory Bowler77), Kyle McFadzean, Ian Ross, Anthony Howell, Anthony Wilson, Liam Hearn, Jordan Hall.
Referee: Chris Akers (Doncaster).
Attendance: 60 estimated.
Goals: Armthorpe Welfare - Craig Morley (45). Alfreton Town - Chris Hall (9), Anthony Howell (48), Liam Hearn (81), Ian Ross (86), Anthony Wilson (89).
Bookings: Armthorpe Welfare - Craig Dyson (48, dissent); Liam Hardy 73, dissent)..
Reds man of the match: Liam Hearn.
