Hat-trick of trophies for Alfreton's fledgling academy

Alfreton Town's academy have made it a hat-trick of trophies in five days to cap a successful first season under boss Jamie Brough and his staff.
Alfreton chairman Wayne Bradley with newly appointed academy manager Jamie BroughAlfreton chairman Wayne Bradley with newly appointed academy manager Jamie Brough
Alfreton chairman Wayne Bradley with newly appointed academy manager Jamie Brough

Brough, along with assistant manager Dave Macarthy and coach Liam Hearn, has led the young Reds to Notts Youth League Cup, Notts Youth League and Central Conference League Cup glory this season.

Earlier in the campaign they set the bar high by negotiating through three rounds of the FA Youth Cup, beating Aylesbury Park, Ashby Ivanhoe and Belper Town.

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It took a controversial defeat at Dunkirk to send them out of the competition in the final qualifying round.

But their run of success began last week when they beat Wollaton and Bramcote 4-0 at Basford United’s ground, to lift the Notts Youth League Cup.

Callum Angell’s penalty and goals after the break from George Layton, Josh Booth and MoZiah Solassie secured the win.

On Saturday they made it a double with a 3-2 win over Lowdham Colts that sealed the Notts Youth League title.

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Alfreton went 2-1 down, Angell again netting from the spot, before an onwn goal drew them level and Morgan Brough headed in the winner.

Two days later, at Rolls Royce, they took on Stamford-based Football CV in the Central Conference League Cup final and once again fell behind.

Layton nodded them level and Ellis Evans’ angled drive made it 2-1 Alfreton.

That goal was a fitting end to a fine campaign for Evans, who broke into the first team squad along with Morgan Brough.

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Evans came on as substitute at promoted FC Halifax Town for the last 10 minutes, then started at Tamworth on Easter Monday, before playing a full game against Nuneaton Town in the 3-3 draw at home in the last game of the season.

An immensely proud Jamie Brough said the trophy haul was a big boost for the club.

“To finish the season with three trophies in our first season is something that hopefully the whole club can be proud of,” he said.

“The side is predominantly U17s, which makes the achievement even greater.

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“l’m delighted with how we are progressing both as a team and individually, and l’m excited about the futures that some of the boys have.

“l would like to thank everyone who has supported us throughout - it really has meant a lot to me and the boys, and while l thought there’d be some interest from supporters l never expected there to be the level of interest there has been.

“Special thanks have to go to the chairman and the board of directors, who put their faith in me and my team when starting the Academy a year ago - hopefully we have done you and the club proud, not only with our results on the pitch but how we have conducted ourselves off the pitch too.”