The Impact Arena, North Street, home of Alfreton Town based in Derbyshire and play their trade in the National League North. My second visit to this ground with the first being a Nottingham Forest U23 match and my first ground hop with the Merry Miller! It’s the next pre-season fixture for Mansfield Town and tonight it’s a trip just down the road to Alfreton! Me, the Super Stag, Chris & Lewis are on our way, we’re on our way! To the Alfreton, we’re on our way!
We have landed in Alfreton!! Plenty of time before kick off means only one thing! Pit stop!!
Bluey’s Bar just down the road is calling! One drink and a few victories at pool for Chris later, and it’s time for the game! £7.50 to get in here! That’s cool!
Kick Off! An even start to the game with both teams enjoying spells of possession so far. 12 minutes in and Jordan Bowery comes down the left for Mansfield, he plays it back and it’s crossed in low, Mansfield flick on and sets up Jordan Bowery for the shot… Keeper parries straight to Jimmy Knowles… OH! He’s dinked it wide… Should be 1-0 Mansfield but instead it’s a goal kick.
2 minutes later and it’s Jordan Bowery on the left again for Mansfield, he crosses in towards Tyrese Sinclair… Headed straight into the keeper’s grasp. 23rd minute and Alfreton have a free kick in a good crossing position, in it comes, in towards Tom Allan at the back post… he heads across goal and Mansfield clear, but it’s only half cleared and here’s Johnson with the shot on the edge of the box… It’s just wide!! So close to curling in to the top corner there.
27 minutes on the clock and Mansfield have a corner, in it comes, here’s Farrend Rawson!! He’s hit the bar!!! Alfreton clear… So close! 31st minute and Mansfield come forward again, the ball is played to James Clarke on the right, he crosses, in to JORDAN BOWERY!! OH! It’s straight at the keeper from close range… Definitely should be 1-0 to Mansfield now!! The game has fizzled out and at half time the score remained at stalemate… Not tonight Mansfield please.
Second half, 46th minute and the ball is played back to the Alfreton keeper, Tyrese Sinclair presses the ball, the keeper clears… It’s straight at Tyrese Sinclair and the ball rolls towards the goal… Tyrese Sinclair has beaten him to it, he’s got the whole goal to aim at… OOOOHHHHHHHH HE’S MISSED IT!!! He’s hit the side netting and that should definitely definitely be 1-0 to Mansfield… Miss of the season before it’s even started…
51 minutes on the watch now and Mansfield come forward again, the ball is played to Jordan Bowery on the edge of the box, he makes space for the shot… Keeper saves and they run in for the rebound… Alfreton clear and it’s a throw in on the right wing, it’s a long throw in to the box and here’s Jimmy Knowles… He’s put it over… Goal kick.
56 minutes now and Alfreton have a corner, in it comes, here’s Tom Allan… Stech can’t keep it out… It’s 1-0 to Alfreton! Great header! 63 minutes and Alfreton come forward again, a stray pass sees Alfreton’s trialist number 4 attempt to win the ball from the Mansfield defender shielding the ball… He has won it back and he charges at goal from the right in the box, he shoots… Straight at Stech but it comes straight back to him… It’s over the bar! Big chance!
72 minutes gone and Mansfield play forward now, ball played to Tyrese Sinclair on the left, he cuts inside in the box and he lets fly… It’s wide.
80th minute and Mansfield play forward again, the ball is played to the left hand side with Anderson, he crosses in, Caine with the header… Brilliant header!! 1-1!! “Yellows!!” The Mansfield fans are alive again!!
84th minute and Alfreton have the ball in the Mansfield half, number 4 has the ball and he goes for goal from distance… Great save by Stech! Needed to! Mansfield clear.
Into stoppage time now and Mansfield come forward, the ball is played to Tyrese Sinclair, he plays it to Keaton Ward, great flick on back to Tyrese Sinclair who shoots… YEEEESSSSSS!!! He finds the net!! And that surely wins it for Mansfield!!! 1-2!! Alfreton try one last attack, but it is too late for them, the final whistle goes! Nothing better than seeing your team win it at the death!
FT: Alfreton Town 1-2 Mansfield Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 3/10 – A decent attendance in tonight and a few shouts from the Mansfield fans especially!
- The Ground: 7/10 – It’s a good setup! I love the memorabilia shop they have and it has a standing terrace on the one side. A few restricted views on the one side though unfortunately.
- Expense: 9/10 – £7.50 is a fine price mind, but the first half was a bit of a bore fest sadly.
- Overall Experience: 8/10 – A great night out with everyone! Nothing better than seeing your team win it right at the end!!
27/40