ALFRETON START CUP DEFENCE WITH STRONG PERFORMANCE

BELPER TOWN 0 V ALFRETON TOWN 4
DERBYSHIRE SENIOR CUP ROUND 3 @ THE MARSTON STADIUM
6 DECEMBER 2016 --- 7.45PM

A FOGGY MARSTONS STADIUM

A storming first half from Alfreton Town saw them lead 4-0 at half time in defence of their DSC Cup against their opponents in last seasons final Belper Town.  The home side put on a more resolute second half performance but the first half brace from Mark Shelton and goals from Sam Smith and Paul Clayton had put paid too any chances of a cup upset by half time.
As ever any blog without train travel and fish and chips would be devoid of its normality and today there was a great opportunity to take the 5.54 train to St Pancras from base station direct to Belper! There is around about 1 a day, I believe, of these services that stop at Belper normally you fly through the town to Derby and then return the same line.  Departure at The Nailers home town was just 15 minutes later and guess what a seat was claimed too on a foggy night but the frost had pulled out of the ground however a watchful eye was to be kept on the descending mist.

CHRISTMAS FISH AND CHIPS IN BELPER

First call tonight was King St Fish Bar, normally I would try Georges near the ground, for a visit to an establishment that has had much recommendation to me and I have to say I was not disappointed with small fish and chips eaten around the festive and Christmas lit streets of this lovely town.  I have covered Belper before on the blog so will not during this one go into too much detail of ground or town save to save its a really pretty town with many excellent services and shops in its centre alongside some superb history.
Sadly with the poor visibility tonight the mill and church were not to clearly in sight but on a Saturday afternoon its a lovely ground to view a game from and the tidy and welcoming nature of this ground and club are a credit to all involved.
The early star on arrival was the large clock on The Reg Walker stand which actually lights up and can be seen all around the ground, due to me finding Belper a difficult night time game visit I had not seen this before and with the light emitted it was not easy to photograph either but a real bonus to an evening visit.

THE IMPRESSIVE CLOCK BATTLING THE FOG

As ever a warm welcome from former secretary Dave Laughlin, current secretary Ian Wright and Dave's son Neil made for the pleasant welcome at the gate and from the clubs stewards they are a real credit to the non league scene clubs like Belper.  It was good during the evening to catch up with many friends at Alfreton Town too on the night thank you guys.
As we kicked off in a misty evening the game entered a tight first 10 minutes but soon after it was to swing Alfreton's was when on 11 minutes Mark Shelton on his full debut curled a low drive in from 20 yards out before it was 2-0 five minutes later when Paul Clayton powered home a header unmarked from 8 yards out.  The game was going away from Belper as the one way traffic continued they made it 3-0 when Sam Smith deflected home Ryan Wilson's cross and then just 8 minutes before half time Clayton pulled out a good parry from Mark Rathbone in the home goal but the ball fell agonisingly for Belper to Shelton who tapped home the ball.  The bell tolled just before half time through the gathering fog to signal Alfreton werr 4 goals to the good and on their way to the next round.

ALFRETON ON THE ATTACK IN THE FIRST HALF

The second period started with the fog looking like a saviour for Belper but when a rain front came over Christchurch Meadow the visibility improved and Belper had to settle for a 0-0 second half with a determined performance as Alfreton knew the work they had done in the opening 45 minutes was enough.
Alfreton move on to round 3 and although Belper were swept away in the first 45 minutes they restored some pride in a creditable second half effort.
Thankfully at the final whistle I secured a lift back from the Mr P so avoiding a round about way back to base.
Well worth the visit a lovely club Belper tonight the result went Alfreton's way but it was a pleasure to visit Christchurch Meadow, as ever.