First points after Reds race to three-goal lead
ALFRETON Town have their first win of the Vanarama National league North season after withstanding a comeback away to Darlington to secure a 3-2 victory.
The Reds were cruising at 3-0 early in the second half.
Adam Lund opened the scoring in the 27th minute when he converted Dayle Southwell’s cross and, nine minutes later, provided the cross for Tom Allan to head in the second.
It was Allan again who steered home the third after 51 minutes from Matt Rhead’s headed assist.
But Wayne Hatfield swept the ball past Reds keeper George Willis after an hour to give his side a lifeline.
Hatfield converted a penalty with five minutes left but the Reds hung on and the only downside for them was that Bobby Johnson felt an injury as he took a corner and had to go off after lengthy treatement in the 17th minute.
MATLOCK Town pulled off an outstanding 2-0 win away to Warrington Town in the Pitching In NPL Premier Division.
It was another exemplary away performance from the Gladiators after their previous win against Nantwich and they took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Jesurun Uchebgulam chased Alex Byrne’s through ball, blocked an attempted clearance and fired in a lot shot.
Callum Chippendale got the second after 77 minutes, within five minutes of coming off the bench, cutting in from the right to squeeze a shot under the Warrington keeper.
“It was another perfect away performance, we all worked tremendously hard,” said manager Paul Phillips.
MICKLEOVER did not have such a good day, going down 3-0 away to Lancaster City, who scored all of their goals in the first half.
IN THE NPL Midland Division, Belper Town rued miissed chances as they were beaten 2-1 away to leaders Halesowen Town.
Jonny Margetts hit the angle of post and bar for the Nailers within two minutes and while Halesowen were playing a neat passing game, Belper were largely untroubled until the 31st minute, when James Molyneux ran through unchallenged to blast a shot into the roof of the net.
Alex Peterson, before half-time, and Margetts, soon after, were both unable to convert one-on-one chances with Halesowen keeper Daniel Platt and the home side doubled their lead in the 61st minute when Belper were caught on the break and JacRedhead raced clear to score.
The Nailers had a late lifeline when Margetts was fouled in the box and converted the resultant penalty but they did not come close again.
ILKESTON Town won 3-1 at home to Bedworth United despite having James Reid sent off for two yellow cards within five minutes just before half-time.
The Robins took a 27th-minute lead when Zac Goodson’s shot was parried by Bedworth keeper Sam Lomax but straight into the path of Alex Troke for a tap-in.
Joe Maguire headed a free kick into his own net for the equaliser after 33 minutes.
But Bedworth showed little otherwise and Kieran Fenton put the Robins back in front three minutes after the break with a 25-yard free kick.
Goodson again had a shot parried and Remaye Campbell tapped in the third after 55 minutes.