It was three of the best for Moors on Tuesday night at The Brewery Field as Alfreton Town were beaten by Graeme Lee’s in-form side.
Moors made it a league double over the visitors courtesy of goals from Corey McKeown and Callum Ross and Glen Taylor on a freezing cold night in County Durham.
Lee’s men struck first through McKeown’s low driven effort, before Ross doubled the advantage just five minutes later, while Taylor got his 201st goal for the Club as he tucked home at the far post in the second half.
Alfreton pulled a goal back through George Cantrill, but the mountain was too steep to climb, and Moors leapfrogged them into 12th in the National League North table.
The game began with both teams locked in some tight play. McKeown had his shot blocked on the edge of the area, just before Gerry McDonagh stuck a low bound effort wide at the other end.
Taylor had a half chance as he looked to latch on to an enticing ball to the back post from McKeown. However, it was just too far away from the striker and went out for a goal kick.
It could’ve been argued that Alfreton had started the game slightly stronger than Moors, but that didn’t matter to Graeme Lee’s men, who found their opener on 24 minutes. The ball fell to the McKeown on the left side, from where he darted across the 18-yard box before dispatching a low driven strike past Jake Askew in the away net to put Moors into the lead.
Moors didn’t waste any time in finding their second of the evening either, as Ross prodded home just five minutes later. Some decent football from Moors saw Reece Staunton pick up the ball on the far side, with the full-back whipping in an inviting ball to the back post. Ross was quick to react and managed to make contact and fire Moors into a two-goal lead, stunning the visitors after their promising start to the game.
Alfreton just couldn’t get a foot into the game, as hesitation on the edge of the area gave Taylor an opportunity to strike a free-kick goalward. His venomous effort soared up and just over the crossbar.
Pressure continued to build on Billy Heath’s men as Moors continued to come forward with intent. McKeown again worked his way into the box, unfortunately losing his footing and therefore his control over the ball, giving the visitors a lucky escape.
The Reds ended the half coming forward, as a fortuitous ball into the box found an Alfreton man in a dangerous position. However, Brad James was alert to deny the opportunity on goal, snuffing out Alfreton’s only real look in since the opening 20 minutes.
Sam Osborne found himself in the Moors area less than a minute into the second half, although, his shot was dragged well wide of the mark.
The visitors continued to come forward with some decent build up play. However, they could only muster up a half chance for Liam Waldock, who smashed a shot goalward that flew straight into the arms of Brad James.
Moors didn’t appear fazed by this sudden confidence in the away outfit, as they didn’t let up their attacking chances. Smart play found Rob Ramshaw in space down the left-hand side as he played a ball to Taylor. His strike was blocked and ricocheted back to Ramshaw, who fired a half volley goalward from a tight angle. Jake Askew did well to parry the effort out of harm’s way and The Reds were able to clear.
While only 40 Moors fans saw the captain’s 200th Moors goal, over 1,000 of The Brewery Field faithful were there to witness his 201st. The big number 9 tapped home a third for Moors after a high ball into the box from McKeown floated over Askew’s head and into the path of Taylor, who was there at the back post to grab his first of the evening.
Just when it seemed like Moors were comfortable, the away side managed to find the net out of almost nothing. A ball to the back post beat James, only to find Staunton who, rather impressively, rattled the crossbar, before the ball bounced back out to an Alfreton man in the middle, forcing a good save out of James, only for it to bobble into the bath of George Cantrill, who fired home into the bottom corner.
The Reds looked to find their feet and possibly stage a comeback now, with momentum looking in their favour. It was Waldock who came forward this time, however his strike kept rising and flew miles over and out of the stadium.
Substitute Mitch Hancox would’ve grabbed his first Moors goal had it not been for an unusual save by Askew’s face. The ball fell to the midfielder, only for his shot to be well stopped by Askew, whose nose will have been sore after that one.
Ross almost got his second of the game, as the ball fell to him on the edge of the area. His strike kissed the top of the crossbar on its way over as the visitors just about survived.
A strong win for Graeme Lee’s men on home soil, as focus now shifts to Moors’ huge away test at Kidderminster Harriers at the weekend.
Full Time: Moors 3 Alfreton 1
Moors: James, Dyson, Rowe, Beals, Staunton, Dolan (Shrimpton 78), Ross, Mondal (Ledger 61), Ramshaw, McKeown (Hancox 78), Taylor.
Subs not used: Pollock, Rutledge.
Booked: Dyson (13).
Alfreton Town: Askew, Newall, Wiley, Hunt, Solademi, Cantrill, Lund (Abbey 75), Salmon (Whitehouse 90), Waldock, Osborne, McDonagh.
Subs not used: Anson, Clackstone, Hall.
Booked: Wiley (28).
Referee: Darius Bradley
Attendance: 1,058
Report: Noah Betts
