Match Report: Alfreton Town 2-4 South Shields

South Shields recorded their second win in as many matches with an impressive 4-2 victory over Alfreton Town. Going into the game off the back of the 5-1 thumping of Farsley Celtic at the weekend, Shields made the considerable trip down to Alfreton, who sat just inside the play-off places and with three straight wins. After a lengthy delay in getting to the ground for the away side, the game was pushed back to an 8pm kick off.

Iestyn Hughes came in for his Shields debut at right-back as Coleby Shepherd returned to the team with his first start since the win at Warrington Town three weeks ago. Tom Broadbent also came back into the side after missing the weekend with a suspension as Kyle Crossley, Bryan Taylor and Joe Richards dropped out with the latter returning to his parent club, Leeds United, on Monday.

Alfreton began the game with their typically direct and route one approach. A plethora of corners and throw-ins tested the resolve of the Mariners’ defence however it was the away side who were the first to test either goalie, with Paul Blackett finding himself with a tap-in at the back post after Lucas De Bolle had slotted Mackenzie Heaney in behind on the eighteenth minute. However, Town keeper, George Willis, somehow managed to get across and claw a certain goal away from danger.

It was then Myles Boney’s turn to produce heroics in goal as he got across to deny a firm strike at the back post that many inside the Impact Arena believed had crossed the line. The home fans did not need to worry, though, as on thirty-two minutes they took the lead through a corner eventually falling at the feet of Lewis Salmon who bundled home from close range.

The game then sprung into life as tempers flared in a competitive contest between two sides with contrasting styles. Shields were keeping the ball superbly through the phases with their diamond midfield quartet all looking comfortable in possession, whilst Alfreton were making use of their striker, Jake Day, who was pinning the back three deeper with his physicality.

A moment of genius then brought South Shields level five minutes after going behind, when Paul Blackett was picked out down the left by De Bolle. The forward had no right to carve out an opportunity with two defenders closing him down, however he shifted it onto his right foot and delivered a majestic chip that dumbfounded Willis and sailed into the net from twenty yards.

It was a moment of pure magic that had levelled the game and it was then turned completely on his head when Blackett beat Willis to the ball and was brought to the ground outside the box. Having already been carded for dissent, the referee had no choice but to brandish a second yellow for the Town goalkeeper, reducing the home side to ten men five minutes before half-time.

The second half began in similar vain as Alfreton went long to their strikers and Shields looked to find space in midfield and pass their way to victory with the man advantage.

It was the away side that took the lead just before the hour with a superb team move starting with the impressive Hughes and De Bolle. Ashton Mee then found Martin Smith in space and his cutback was perfect for Blackett to excellently curl the ball home into the corner beyond substitute keeper, Jake Askew, giving Shields a thoroughly deserved and crucial lead.

As the Mariners looked to close out the game, being put under pressure by Alfreton as the game ticked beyond eighty minutes, Boney denied Liam Waldock down low with a free kick as the ten men started to press desperately for a late equaliser.

The game was put beyond doubt superbly, though, four minutes from time when Shepherd burst into space on halfway and freed up Smith. His pass into substitute, Anton Dudik, was cleverly laid off to Shepherd, who had continued his run, and the left-back fired the ball confidently home on his left foot from fifteen yards to all but secure the three points.

Shields were keen to put the game completely to bed as the game entered stoppage time and after Jamie Bramwell’s long range effort fizzed wide, Shepherd once again was found thanks to more superb play. Tom Broadbent’s pass was smartly collected by the recently introduced Bryan Taylor, a crisp interchange between him and Dudik saw the ball fall to Mee who swept the ball wide to Shepherd.

The full-back, who had moved to right-back after Hughes was replaced having received a yellow card, cut inside imperiously onto his left foot. There was a sense of inevitability in the air such is the quality of Shepherd as he effortlessly curled the ball into the far corner as he notched his second and Shields’ fourth in what was a memorable away day.

Former Mariner, Jed Abbey, came off the bench to lessen the deficit slightly as Alfreton bundled home a consolation second goal deep into added time to add some respectability to the scoreline, however the away side were full value for the 4-2 win.

Shields climb to 10th now and sit just three points off seventh as Peterborough Sports’ visit to the 1st Cloud on Saturday afternoon presents the perfect opportunity to go level on points with the play-off spot holders. It’s now four wins out five in the league in November as Elliott Dickman’s Mariners look to mount a promotion push as 2025 looms.

Alfreton Town: Willis, Clackstone, Newall, Lund, Anson (Perritt, 83), Hunt, Cantrill, Waldock (Abbey, 80), Day, Salmon (Moyo, 80), Whitehouse (Askew, 43)

Unused Substitutes: Salam

Goals: Salmon (32’), Abbey (90+6)

South Shields: Boney, Hughes (Crossley, 76), Morse, Briggs, Broadbent, Shepherd, Mee, Smith (Bramwell, 89), Heaney (Taylor, 89), De Bolle, Blackett (Dudik, 85)

Unused Substitutes: Seymour

Goals: Blackett (37’, 57’), Shepherd (86’, 90+5)

Attendance: 403