Alfreton Town FC - Changing of the guard

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Squad Overview - Key Men

We have a fairly small squad as is to be expected at this level.

Fabian Spiess
View attachment 104054Our only 1st team Keeper' The former Notts County player will be the no.1 for the season.

Craig Westcarr
View attachment 104052Has a wealth of football league experience, He's going to be THE player for us this season!

Andy Monkhouse
View attachment 104051Spent most of his career at Rotherham and Hartlepool another player that can perform big when needed.

Joe Doyle
View attachment 104050A young promising Right back looking to make his way back to the football league having been released by Burton.

Liam Hearn

View attachment 104049A cult hero at the club before leaving to play for Grimsby, where he was known for his goal scoring. Unfortunately for him he never recreated that form in the football league and now he's back home.

Niall Heaton
View attachment 104048Another young defender, he can play in the centre or on the right, Formally of Liverpool and Bradford youth teams.

View attachment 104047
Overall a good squad that should be able to compete for promotion.
 
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We've been given a £10,000 Transfer budget and £5,965 P/W wage budget to help achieve the boards targets of a top half finish, 1st round of the FA cup and 2nd round of the FA Trophy. Overall these should be achievable but i'd like to be pushing for the play offs this season at least!

Short term aims: (1-2 seasons)
Get promoted.
1st round of the FA Cup.
Go professional.

Medium term aims: (3-5 seasons)
Reach the football league.
3rd round of the FA Cup.
Establish a youth policy

Long term aims: (5+ Seasons)
Overtake Mansfield.
Overtake Chesterfield.
Overtake Sheffield United.
Overtake Sheffield Wednesday.
Reach the Premier League.
Reach the Champions League.
Win Both competitions.
 
Pre-season was full of losses but it was mainly used to improve finances and it didn't hit moral too hard so i'm not too bothered.

View attachment 104046Transfers:
View attachment 104045Isaac Maynard was signed on a free and is my second best Centre mid so will be thrown straight into the team
View attachment 104044Aidan Austin was also a free transfer and has decent potential so he's been brought in as a back up on the left wing.

View attachment 104043George Edmundson was brought in on a season long loan from my parent club Oldham. Will hopefully for a partnership with Kennedy at centre back.

Tactics
View attachment 104042I'll be looking to play a 4-1-2-2-1 this season and keeping things basic.
 
August

Vanarama National League North

Stockport vs Alfreton
[video=youtube;ienwq-tu3pg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ienwq-tu3pg[/video]
Our season started with a well deserved win against a much fancied Stockport team. After the keeper spilled a cross from Monkhouse, Hearn was there to tap in the only goal and only real action of the game giving us all 3 points. To limit Stockport to 0 shots on target is very pleasing too!

Alfreton vs Gainsborough
[video=youtube;ienwq-tu3pg]https://youtu.be/HB0SxJ5CITY[/video]
The game started well and after Westcarr played a lovely ball round the corner to Hearn who fired home and then Monkhouse crossed from the opposite side for Hearn to ram home his 3rd in 2 games after 21 minutes it looked like we we're going to run away with it. But half time came and energy levels dropped and a super strike from Rothery put them back in the game. After Burdett curled home the leveller it looked like we we're going to lose it but we held on to take 4 points from the opening 6 frustrated that it's not a 100% start.

Alfreton vs Curzon Ashton
[video=youtube;ienwq-tu3pg]https://youtu.be/nAkQNi5RhqA[/video]
Curzon Ashton came into this game with 24 hours less rest and bottom for the league after 2 defeats. I remained unchanged for the 3rd game and it paid off. Westcarr scored a fantastic goal and then a half volley to put us 2 up again but a repeat never looked like happening. Hearn continued his form scoring a header from a Monkhouse cross and late on Baillie was send off for his second yellow.

Brackley vs Alfreton
[video=youtube;ienwq-tu3pg]https://youtu.be/i_svHTICekM[/video]
A very frustrating game not only did Westcarr miss a penalty but Monkhouse is out for 5 weeks with a twisted knee.

Alfreton vs AFC Fylde
[video=youtube;ienwq-tu3pg]https://youtu.be/i44u9WsDbzc[/video]
Well a win's a win no matter how we get it! A quite comical own goal.

Darlington vs Alfreton
[video=youtube;ienwq-tu3pg]https://youtu.be/5a_6iKoTuHw[/video]
Darlington had played 2 games in the week we'd had since our last game but you wouldn't know it looking at this game! We we're lackluster and Darlo got the deserved victory.

Alfreton vs Tamworth
[video=youtube;ienwq-tu3pg]https://youtu.be/gRWywrainAA[/video]
The month ended the opposite way it started, with a 1-0 defeat. We had the better chances but couldn't take them and we were punished.

Monthly review

A good start was dashed by a disappointing end to the month.
View attachment 104041
Still we're in 10th and at this point of the season that means nothing at all.
View attachment 104040
My player of the month has to be Liam Hearn with 4 goals this month and he had a good partnership with Monkhouse before his injury.
View attachment 104039​
 
September

Salford vs Alfreton
[video=youtube;ctHy1-_Suro]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctHy1-_Suro[/video]
A strong showing and a great way to score your first goal for the club from Marshall

Worcester vs Alfreton
View attachment 104029Very disappointing as we dominated the game, I dropped Westcarr due to average form and it backfired. Liam Hearn also picked up a bruised thigh in this game that rules him out for 2 weeks.

Alfreton vs Harrogate
[video=youtube;zrZrpXZIhjk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrZrpXZIhjk[/video]
Another disappointing result and some unsure defending cost us the game.

View attachment 104019
Boston vs Alfreton
[video=youtube;Sd7knDVLjd0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd7knDVLjd0[/video]
This could have been a lot worse! The better team won nothing else to say

Leiston vs Alfreton (FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round)
[video=youtube;TGyHzxdVQZI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGyHzxdVQZI[/video]
Well, that backfired! I rotated the team as much as I could and it was almost embarrassing.

Alfreton vs Leiston ( FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round Replay)
[video=youtube;8_W9jTqx1NE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_W9jTqx1NE[/video]
It turns out the first team is no better. Shambollic is the only thing i can say! To make things worse Monkhouse made his return and picked up a thigh strain and is out for another 5 weeks.

Alfreton vs Kidderminster
[video=youtube;VpzbJ9eblIY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpzbJ9eblIY[/video]
Finally a win, we started to forget what it feels like.

Monthly Review
View attachment 104018Out of the FA cup in a cupset and 7 points from 15 this month.

View attachment 104017Despite that we're up to 8th but it's still way to early to read into it.

View attachment 104016My player of the month this month goes to Max Makaka who managed to have a fairly solid month and scored 2 goals.
​
 
October

FC United Of Manchester vs Alfreton
[video=youtube;MxGU3sNGVdQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxGU3sNGVdQ[/video]
Another 2 goal lead squandered but against one of the best teams in the league its a point gained
Stalybridge vs Alfreton
[video=youtube;aNu90a3vgwc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNu90a3vgwc[/video]
Another 3 points in the bag from an even game.View attachment 104014
Alfreton vs Gloucester
[video=youtube;w0FSccru1hw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0FSccru1hw[/video]
Brought straight back down to earth. We had more chances just couldn't use them to good effect. Hearn has now gone 8 games without scoring.

Alfreton vs Chorley
[video=youtube;Bwf9IJnWZhY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwf9IJnWZhY[/video]
Still no goal for Hearn and a bad end to the month.

Monthly Review
View attachment 1040074 from 12 this month

View attachment 104006Drops us to 14th and we're looking backwards not forwards. Just no consistancy!

View attachment 1040052 out of the 3 goals we're from Smith so he's my pick for Player of the month but no one really stood out.​
 
November

Alfreton vs Halifax
[video=youtube;ozyXsL57QGk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozyXsL57QGk[/video]
Another defeat another shut out.

Bradford PA vs Alfreton
[video=youtube;wWLm-DfI-uM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWLm-DfI-uM[/video]
Well we managed a goal but another loss.

Alfreton vs Altrincham
[video=youtube;kYmxnI61Skc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYmxnI61Skc[/video]
The pressure is really starting to mount now.

AFC Telford vs Alfreton (FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round)
[video=youtube;P4NRTicZsz0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4NRTicZsz0[/video]
A WIN!!!!! It may only be the FA Trophy but it's a win, i changed my tactics coming into this game too. As an added bonus Hearn broke his goalscoring duct.

View attachment 103994
View attachment 103993View attachment 103992View attachment 103991

A terrible month for us see's us drop further and we need a couple of really strong months. No player of the month this time as no one deserved it!​
 
December

Nuneaton vs Alfreton
[video=youtube;qNcnX0jOzgc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNcnX0jOzgc[/video]
A continuation of our league form

FC United Of Manchester (FA Trophy 1st Round)
[video=youtube;BvbeTr9AJ9Y]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvbeTr9AJ9Y[/video]
2-0 yet again but this was worse! 3 injuries and an ultimatum from the board.
View attachment 103987View attachment 103986View attachment 103985

Alfreton vs Salford
[video=youtube;FycrtKgi8Fo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FycrtKgi8Fo[/video]
WHAT A WIN!!! Okay i'll admit i feel bad here. The first game was called off and rearranged for the 27th, our boxing day game was re-arranged but Salfords wasn't? So it lead to them playing 2 games in 2 days.

Half Season Review
View attachment 103981View attachment 103984View attachment 103983View attachment 103982
A weird month for me sees us in 16th with a game in hand on most.

View attachment 103980
Westcarr gets player of the month for his perfomance vs Salford
​
 
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January

A month with 6 games including a trip to table topping Fylde and 2 games in 3 days vs Telford, a points target to hit and a new signing. Can we shoot up the table or will we be looking for a new job?

Alfreton vs AFC Telford
[video=youtube;V7C9TKi6t1c]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7C9TKi6t1c[/video]
The first game of the year saw the first of our double header vs Telford at home. A thrilling 5 goal game with us coming out on top was a great way to start the year.

AFC Telford vs Alfreton
[video=youtube;-LcUiFz_HI0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LcUiFz_HI0[/video]
Our reverse fixture was a bit calmer but the outcome was the same again Westcarr getting his 8th in 3 games.

Harrogate vs Alfreton
[video=youtube;DqhDxBqdVeQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqhDxBqdVeQ[/video]
Harrogate came into this game just a point and 2 places behind us and it was a cagey affair, but a victorious effort.

AFC Fylde vs Alfreton
[video=youtube;xTqzV5aVL-E]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTqzV5aVL-E[/video]
Away vs top of the table Fylde, i expected a thrashing instead we managed to get a point after leading twice.​
View attachment 103378
Alfreton vs Worcester
[video=youtube;EsIAkgLdYEo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsIAkgLdYEo[/video]
Back to usual form losing here against a team we should be beating.

Alfreton vs Brackely
[video=youtube;5MoXOYn8nno]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MoXOYn8nno[/video]
Another frustrating day another defeat.

Transfer news​
View attachment 103377View attachment 103376

We signed Rhys Sharpe from Notts County following our scouts recommendation he could be the player to help tighten our defence.

Monthly Review
​
View attachment 103375View attachment 103374
13th place, 10 points off the play-offs but i'm still hopeful!

Craig Westcarr is player of the month again following his 5 goals this month​
View attachment 103373

February Ambitions
With games vs teams mostly in the bottom half i'm targeting 8 points from 12
​
 
February

A big month for us, can we gain on the play-offs or fall back into the obscurity of mid-table? Who's our new loaniee?

Gainsborough vs Alfreton
[video=youtube;gajwEuka4O8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gajwEuka4O8&index=33&list=PLE8irzJ7iK2KW_2 Zz8TFO35JTZHur_gTS[/video]
A quite incredible free-kick won this game for us.

Alfreton vs Stockport
[video=youtube;jnk_nOEjgbg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnk_nOEjgbg&list=PLE8irzJ7iK2KW_2Zz8TFO35J TZHur_gTS&index=32[/video]
Disappointing to drop 2 points against a team in the relegation zone.

Curzon Ashton vs Alfreton
[video=youtube;8jlDOiE4NGQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jlDOiE4NGQ&list=PLE8irzJ7iK2KW_2Zz8TFO35J TZHur_gTS&index=33[/video]
2 penalties and a hat-trick for Westcarr who's flying up the scoring charts now.

Chorley vs Alfreton
[video=youtube;X6SQOcAofVY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6SQOcAofVY&index=34&list=PLE8irzJ7iK2KW_2Zz8TFO35JTZHur_gTS[/video]
An unbeaten month, we're finally finding our rhythm

Monthly Review
View attachment 103288
View attachment 103287
An unbeaten month with 10 points from 12 but we're still 10 points off the play-offs

Transfer news
Another loanee from our parent club, he has potential and will help with the games coming thick and fast.
View attachment 103286View attachment 103285
Player of the Month
Craig Westcarr
View attachment 103283
March Plans
View attachment 103284
A very tough month but i'm still aiming for 10 from 15
​
 
March

A tough month with us playing most of our play off rivals, can we make up ground?

Alfreton vs Stalybridge
[video=youtube;BSVkhNqq7og]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSVkhNqq7og&list=PLE8irzJ7iK2KW_2Zz8TFO35J TZHur_gTS&index=35[/video]
A very good solid win.

Kidderminster vs Alfreton
[video=youtube;Rmwe55koe88]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmwe55koe88&index=36&list=PLE8irzJ7iK2KW_2 Zz8TFO35JTZHur_gTS[/video]
The 'worst' team we play this month and we lost.

Alfreton vs FC United
[video=youtube;2yGq5VrtztE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yGq5VrtztE&index=37&list=PLE8irzJ7iK2KW_2 Zz8TFO35JTZHur_gTS[/video]
A fantastic win against the team we're chasing.

Alfreton vs Boston United
[video=youtube;eDiV3Ld1WIk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDiV3Ld1WIk&list=PLE8irzJ7iK2KW_2Zz8TFO35JTZHur_gTS&index=38[/video]
Result of the season so far against the team that came into the game top. It isn't all good news though.

View attachment 103249
Our top scorer out for the season.

Gloucester vs Alfreton
[video=youtube;bej9MYxxJeA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bej9MYxxJeA[/video]
9th vs 8th coming into this, a key game. A late goal in our favour for once.

Monthly Review
View attachment 103248View attachment 103247
12 from 15 and now only 5 points off the play offs with 6 games left.

Transfer action
View attachment 103246
Just the youth this month, many of them won't play for the club, and the others will only be bit part players.

Player of the Month
View attachment 103245
April targets
View attachment 103244
Final month of the season, can we make the play-offs? Bradford PA, Darlington and Tamworth will be huge games. I feel 12 points from these 6 games will be enough but the target is 14.
​
 
April part one

One final push, here we go!

Alfreton vs Bradford PA
[video=youtube;qijFTHcs_9w]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qijFTHcs_9w[/video]
3 points closer

FC Halifax vs Alfreton
[video=youtube;ynB_5ktjoDA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynB_5ktjoDA[/video]
What a blow!

4 games left
View attachment 103243View attachment 103242

Alfreton vs Darlington
[video=youtube;07XIwVY26Mk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07XIwVY26Mk[/video]
Massive victory and makes for a very tense final 3 games

3 games left
View attachment 103241View attachment 103240View attachment 103239

Coming up, final 3 games.

​
 
April part two

Key Games coming up, can we secure a play off place?

Tamworth (3rd) vs Alfreton (7th)
Good news coming into this match is top scorer Westcarr is fit enough for an hour.

View attachment 103220

View attachment 103215

View attachment 103219
View attachment 103218
2 points - two games.

Matchday 41
View attachment 103216[video=youtube;v_zGAa5zG04]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_zGAa5zG04[/video]
View attachment 103214View attachment 103213
Matchday 42
Alfreton (6th) vs Nuneaton (19th)
Kidderminster (5th) vs Bradford PA (11th)

Kidderminster obviously have the advantage and we have a dreadful record vs teams in the bottom 5 but that's the glory of football anything can happen!

Line Ups:
View attachment 103210

22 minutes:
View attachment 103209View attachment 103208
39 minutes:
View attachment 103207
Looks like the play-off charge is over.

HT:
View attachment 103206View attachment 103205
54 minutes:
View attachment 103204
They couldn't, could they?

70 minutes:
View attachment 103203
The curse strikes again.

94 minutes:
View attachment 103202
FT:
View attachment 103201
View attachment 103200
What a disappointment, we dropped to many points in November/ December and just couldn't beat the bottom teams. Play-offs are a minimum next season.
[video=youtube;PSeL3romDlI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSeL3romDlI[/video]​
 
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