Great start to the new season, especially after the lows of the end and much of last season. Thought we were lucky to go in half time 1 nil up, difficult to tell if it was a pen from where I was ( sound like a manager ! ) Crewe were slick in their play and should of had 1 or 2 before half time themselves. We started surprisingly nervous and slow and it didn't improve a great deal for most of the 1st half. The goal on the stroke of half time was a big body blow to Crewe not so much because of the timing but more that they were the better team. 2nd half was so much better right from the off but I still thought Crewe on their first half performance were more than capable of getting the one goal back. Our second goal came after some good pressure play and what a strike from the captain Risser. From then on in you could see Crewe's heads drop and the game was safe when man of the match Aiden Flint headed home his 1st league goal. Crewe will argue that we weren't 3 goals better than them, they may have a case but as we found so many times last season you have to take your chances. Top of the league looks and sounds nice so I'll enjoy it for now !
posted on 7/8/11
I'm an Alfreton fan and I was keen to find out how Flint did for you yesterday.
posted on 7/8/11
He was brilliant he won every header and every tackle at the start of the season he was 3rd choice centre back and for me now he must be 1st choice after a brilliant performance agaisnt Reading and even better yesterday.
posted on 7/8/11
I hope he keeps it up with you....He's a great lad as well. When Alfreton won the league last season he took my 9 year old on the pitch and let him hold the trophy...Alfreton are going to miss him this season as its going to be a tough year for them.
posted on 7/8/11
Ambergriff, I echo what Stfcx has said, Aiden was immense yesterday from the 1st to last whistle. He was also a rock against a full strength Reading side in last weekends friendly. He made Shane Long look average for the 1st 45 mins which a lot of championship players failed to do last season. Before Flints last two games most Swindon fans would of had him down as 3rd choice centre back but after yesterdays performance its a battle to see who is going to partner him. His goal yesterday was well deserved and was the icing on the
cake ! My dad was born in Alfreton and has always looked out for your results. Best of luck for this season too !
posted on 7/8/11
Cheers Notts red....They are going to need as much luck as possible it the Conf. Its nice to see a local lad from this part of the country doing well.. and long may it continue for Aiden. When he left Alfreton last Jan. they started to falter a little bit but when he came back on loan till the end of the season it gave the club a big lift that got them thro' to the title win 10 points to spare. Its great for the town but its hard to get big crowds with Forest and Derby being just down the road.
posted on 7/8/11
I was born in Nottingham but moved down south at a young age, lots of family still there though. Chose to follow Swindon as it was the closest team and have been hooked ever since. Have seen plenty of highs and lows over the years with the Town and really enjoy watching lower league football with true supporters and their passion. Lots of Swindon fans were pleased for Flint and your promotion.unfortunately you like us will lose the better players to higher league teams eventually but it's nice to have genuine positive feed back.
posted on 8/8/11
this time last year the 2 centre-backs were Flint and Kyle Macfazdean (Crawley)....both scored for their league clubs on saturday...It should act as an inspiration for the younger players at Alfreton that if they work hard and perform well thre is a chance you'll be seen by the league clubs.
posted on 10/8/11
My personal view of is pretty similar to most on here.. poor first half, great second half. If we manage to play like we did in the second half in most games this season we'll do just fine.
Started of a bit disjointed, I think it was definately nerves. Flint had to bail out Devera on several occasions and looked like and absolute man-mountain.
Second half was so much better, passing was slick forward movements pulled their back four apart giving us room to play. Despite an anonymous first half Risser became dominant and used possesion well second half. Timlin linked up well with Kennedy to create chances, decent stuff. Yes, we could have been 2-0 down in the first half but the promising thing is we stuck it out and managed to turn a poor peformance into a positive one, if we show that spirit throughout the season we'll be up there.
P Smith - 8 Made some great saves first half, little to do in the second
Kennedy - 8 Was very solid and managed to shackle a decent winger. Good pen, good going forward.
Flint - 10 Absolute man-mountain, won absolutely everything. Cannot be dropped.
Devera - 6 Looked very shakey first half, more solid in the second.
Caddis - 7 Solid defensively more so than on some occasions last season.
Timlin - 7 Did well out of position, didnt give the ball away and linked up well with Kennedy
Risser - 7 A tricky one, anonymous first half.. i'll put that down to nerves though. His goal was incredible, great technique. Was more comfortable second half.
J Smith - 6 One of the better peformers in a poor first half, but didnt improve his peformance as most did in the second.
Ritchie - 7 Never ever gives up or stops running, chased them for 90 mins. Could have two goals but I am pleased to see so much effort from a town player!
Bodin - 8 Showed some neat touches and held the ball up suprisingly well for a slight man. Mature peformance from a young man.
De Vita - 7 Put in plenty of effort and closed often, never really got going though. Linked up fairly well with Bodin however.
McCormack - 8 Came on with around 30 mins to go and was impressive, strong in the tackle composed with the ball.
Connell - 8 Held the ball up well when introduced, should have scored but took up some great positions.
Ferry - 7 Wasnt really on long enough to tell but kept the ball well, should have scored though.
Overall a great day out and a good win! COYR's
posted on 10/8/11
Great report ST...I live in north Wales and am more likely to see away games than home, so very useful for me. Keep them coming!
posted on 12/8/11
No problem! I might start a weekly feature for games I attend, match report, ratings, ref rating ect. What do you guys think?