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Alfreton Town

Started on 8 November 2023 by Vernak555
Latest Reply on 8 November 2023 by Vernak555
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Derby Evening Telegraph Sports Reporter James McClane

Alfreton Town Season Diary 2023/2024

Welcome Reds. Over the coming season I'll be bringing you a monthly review of all things Alfreton to look back on, what will hopefully be, a successful season. They'll be ups, and they'll be downs, they'll be wins, and they'll be loses. And it certainly it won't be boring.
Here's to a enjoyable season for this great little club.

July -

Shockwaves rumbled through the Impact Arena as news came out that manager Billy Heath had left the club. He was quoted as saying that "Despite overwelming love for the club, and a passion to see them do well, I just feel as though it isn't the right time for me to be the manager".
Rumours swirled for days on who would replace the fan favourite, but then a press conference was announced for 26th June to unveil the new man at the helm.

Step forward Jake Stevenson, a complete unknown, but someone who impressed the club's hierarchy with his record Mickleover Village, where he went the equivalent of two whole seasons unbeaten. They also spoke of being overwhelmingly enthused with his vision for the club, and the style of play he wanted to bring to the team. "I don't believe in possession for possession's sake. I'm not one for hoofball, but I like to get the ball between the lines quickly. When this reported asked him what he would bring to the club, that other managers haven't, he replied, multifractally "A desire, and a will to win. I hate losing a game of football, it's the worst feeling in the world. And from now on, it's this club's job to ensure we don't have that feeling very often".

During his time at Mickleover, Stevenson deployed various formations so has said he will adapt to the players he has at this disposal. Regardless of the formation, his philosophy and work ethic will remain the same. He believes in pressing his opponents as much as possible, so warned his new charges that preseason was going to be tough. "I never want the other team to have easy possession, I want them to have to battle for every touch. I want them worn down even before the half time whistle goes, so the lads will need to be in peak condition to maintain that standard".

The message appeared to get through to the players as their focus during preseason was sharp from the off. They started their pre-season preparation by beating Long Eaton United 3-0 new signing Ben Starkie grabbed the first, and newly appointed club captain Adam Lund scored the other two. Stevenson's players looked sharp on the ball and quick with their movement within a 4-5-1 formation.

More eye catching results followed as the side racked up another five victories including an incredible 13-0 win over Dronfield. Equally impressive was a 3-0 victory over a strong Vanarama National side Bromley, new striker Ryan Taylor scored just before half time to take his pre-season tally to 6 in 4 games.

On the signings front, there weren't many from the new boss. Heath had already re-tooled the squad bringing in a raft of players, including midfielder Billy Fewster from Notts Forest, experienced defenders Shaun Brisley & Kennedy Digie, and exciting young full backs Harry Perritt & Will Grewal-Pollard. Grewall-Pollard in particular has caught the eye with his willingness to get forward and whip in dangerous crosses, something his new boss is very keen to exploit. "I'd watched Will play for the Derby youth sides and was always very impressed. I'm surprised that teams higher up haven't taken a gamble on him, 'cus I think he'll be a very good player in the future". The only signing Stevenson has made so far is ex Tottenham youngster Kallum Cesay to bolster the midfield, and judging by his all action displays in friendlies, he will soon become a fan favourite.

Enthusiasm & excitement appeared to be the buzz words around the club. Players & staff appeared focused and enjoying training, and there was a real sense that they could hit the ground running once the real games got underway.
August -

If you were to look through the online Alfreton Town forums prior to the first game of the season the majority of predictions from Reds fans would've been for a solid start, and the hope that manager Jake Stevenson's ideas would begin to bed in. Not a single one would've guessed/stated that the last game of the month would see them sitting 2nd, with 15 points, having scored 19 goals, and played the kind of explosive heavy metal football Jurgen Klopp dreams about.

To say Alfreton's start to the league campaign wasn't expected is a massive understatement. South Shields were the first to be stunned by Stevenson's men as they were thrashed 5-1 at the 1st Cloud Arena. Ryan Taylor made it a debut to remember by scoring a perfect hattrick. Ben Starkie followed suit by grabbing a brace on his first start, The Mariners were shellshocked by the time he scored his 2nd on 79 minutes, a beautiful curling effort into the top corner, from 25 yards.

The first home game against Southport was just as impressive. Will Grewal-Pollard started things off with a powerful, low drive from 18 yards, before Liam Waldock made it 2 with a well placed free kick on the hour. Ryan Taylor then tapped in from 5 yards after a lung busting, 70 yard run from Jordan Thewlis caught The Sandgrounders on the break from a corner. Three days later Peterborough Sports made things slightly more difficult. A 22nd minute penalty from Ben Starkie was cancelled out by Luke Steele's header from a corner just after the 60 minute mark, and Sports held out until the 86th minute before sucumming to Thewlis' winner, a scrappy effort, poked home after the Turbines' defence failed to clear from a Kallum Cesay corner, 2-1.

It was the same score away to Tamworth 4 days later. Grewal-Pollard opened the scoring after good work from Liam Waldock. He deftly dribble into the right of the box, before squaring it for the on-rushing left back to tap in at the back post. Lindon Meikle pegged The Reds back early in the 2nd half, with a well struck effort from just inside the penalty area, but new fan favourite Taylor was on hand on the 79th minute to nod home, man of the match, Grewal-Pollard's dinked cross, to secure all 3 points.

The only loss of the month came against Darlington, and even though Reds fans would've been gutted about the result, they couldn't deny they weren't entertained. Ryan Taylor opened the scoring after 10 minutes, latching onto a through ball by Adam Lund, and slotting under the onrushing keeper. Jonny Ngandu cancelled that out 5 minutes later by ceasing on a hapless piece of goalkeeping from George Willis. From a Jacob Hazel corner he dropped a routine catch straight at the feet of the Quakers No 7 to prod home the equalizer. Liam Waldock scored a lovely free kick on the 59th minute, only to see his goalie relinquish the lead 2 minutes later, by coming for a cross he was never going to get to, and leaving Ben Liddle with an open goal to slot into. Stevenson introduced Jake Day & Lewis Salmon from the bench and switched to 3-4-3 in search for a winner. The latter making an impact by teeing up Taylor's 2nd of the game on the 70th minute. The home side thought they had things wrapped up, but as the clock reached 89 minutes Jacob Hazel beat a soft offside trap to thump a Darlington equaliser into the bottom left hand corner. Then deep into the 7 minutes of stoppage time Andrew Nelson's tame backpost header squirmed under Willis' body, making it 3 points for the visitors. Even though Willis had a day to forget, he wasn't helped by poor defending throughout the contest. "Headless chickens at times" was how the manager described it afterwards.

Unfortunately King's Lynn were on the end of the team's reaction two days later. Ryan Taylor netting his 2nd hattrick of the month, with Lewis Salmon bagging his first for the club, in a resounding 4-1 win.

Bar the Darlington defeat, this has been a very impressive start for Alfreton, and fans will be hoping this honeymoon period can last a while longer yet.

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