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Tuesday 2nd September - Frickley Athletic 0-3 Alfreton Town 

Phil Sharpe sprang a surprise by bringing Mark Hancock into the side, with him anchoring the defence whilst Jacques Joblon came in for his first start.

The Blues were beaten by a strong Alfreton side who deserved their win but were also helped by an inept refereeing performance that saw 2 Frickley players sent off and numerous booked. The sendings off, of Kieran O'Brien (second yellow card) and Hancock (straight red), were probably deserved but the numerous petty bookings were beyond a joke, especially as Alfreton committed many of the same offences and received no punishment.

After going close on a few occasions, Alfreton took the lead on 17 minutes when a long range shot from Neil Grayson swerved in front of Mark Samways, who looked to have it covered, and slipped from his grasp and bobbled over the line. The visitors continued to create the majority of the chances with the Blues being crowded out on the few occasions the managed to press forward. Referee Hogg, seemed determined to book Frickley players for the slightest infringement, but strangely similar offences committed by Alfreton went unpunished.

Samways continued to deny Alfreton with a string of fine saves, although the Blues started to force some pressure early in the second half. But, the inevitable happened and Alfreton broke away on 62 minutes to score a second with Mick Goddard flicking the ball over Antony Jackson before firing past Samways from 12 yards. The Blues still kept pushing and probing but without getting the vital break but Alfreton threatened when they managed to break quickly out of defence, so much so that on 82 minutes O'Brien was sent off for bringing down France in full flight after already being booked for kicking the ball away. Two minutes later Nwadike broke into the Blues' box from the right and hit a cross-cum-shot which came back off the bar to Mick Godber who's initial shot was pushed against the bar by Samways but the rebound fell kindly for him to score. There was still time for Hancock to commit a rash challenge near the touchline and receive a straight red card. 

Frickley Athletic : Samways, Kamara, O'Brien, Robinson (Hurrell 70), Jackson, Colley, Hancock, Bernard (Pugh 57), Morris, Joblon (Hatto 57), Lindley

Alfreton Town : Butler, Robinson, Grayson (Dolby 78) , Blount, Brown, Knapper, France, Nwadike, Godber (Hemmings 90), Goddard (Akey 87), Bettney

Att: 308

Ref : Mr A. S. Hogg (Sheffield) 

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