The Holy Blues handed the advantage to Alfreton just 56 seconds into the game, when Harrison Beeden was caught wrong side of his man, and Siya Ligendza punished Trinity with a well taken finish to settle the hosts nerves early. Harrison Beeden got caught the wrong side, and was unable to recover, his opponent showing good strength to hold off the retreating defender.
On a difficult pitch, it took the visitors time to settle, with the early goal calming the hosts, who had narrowly lost to Curzon Ashton on opening day. Theo Williams looked to use his pace, to put Alfreton goalkeeper, James Wright under pressure, but the slight ‘keeper just managed to clear the danger over half way.
The ball wasn’t falling for the visitors, as Reece Fyfe’s opening corner was headed clear. Looking for a quick counter, the ball just wouldn’t run true for Williams. Despite only having two players from the side that were relegated, Jake Buxtotonn’s side were well drilled, physically strong – and from memory – a typical Alfreton side of years gone by, when the two teams regularly locked horns in the 90s and early 00s.
Fifteen minutes in, Jack Leckie had a glorious chance to put the visitors back on level terms. After Ashton Offler was held, Lewis Butroid swung in the left footed freekick. Picking out the imposing centre back – his seader was straight 
at Wright. Either side of the man between the sticks, and the Lincolnshire side would have been back on terms.
Former Ilkeston Town man, Dylan Youmbi was causing problems on the flank, twisting left and right before sending in a dangerous ball, the was safely gathered by David Robson. Before Harvey Sutcliffe made a neat intervention, covering across from right back, he tracked the run of Tattum, who looked to get on the end of former Blue, Jakub Kryusenski’s incisive through ball.
As on the pitch tempers frayed, Leckie and goal scorer Ligendza were both spoken to, before Tattum went into the book for delaying a restart after a perceived foul on Sutcliffe. Shortly after, Theo Williams was booked for a trip. Ashley Jackson looked to unlock the hosts with a long throw, managing to pick out the towering Offler, but he couldn’t generate enough power to trouble Wright. Leckie was disposed shortly before half time, but Youmbi fired over, as Trinity really struggled to find their groove.
Half Time: Alfreton Town 1 Gainsborough Trinity 0
Sent out early by boss Russ Wilcox. And with those words still ringing in their ears, Offler and Butroid combined. Butty flashing wide of the far post after a good flick on from Offler. The flag would have seen the effort chalked off, but it was better from the yellows.
Offler was beginning to cause more problems, his knock down into the path of Jordan Helliwell, saw the central midfielder up in support. His effort on target, blocked by a clutch of Alfreton defenders, putting their bodies on the line. Youmbi was at the heart of the action for the visitors, drilling a ball across the face of goal, that Robson did well to beat away. With that, Wilcox turned to his bench, on the hour mark. Hornshaw and Preston being withdrawn for the experienced legs of Bobby Johnson and the energy of Javelle Clarke.
Trinity were soon moving the ball with more tempo, but it was the hosts who nearly extended their lead, before they did. Ligendza dropping a clever snap shot onto the roof of Robson’s net. Elliott Whitehouse replaced Helliwell, but then Alfreton did double their advantage. That man Youmbi was given too much time and space, as he ghosted in off the right wing. Beating four Trinity men, before firing past the exposed Robson.
There was still a quarter of an hour to play, as Wilcox rolled the dice again. Butroid and Sutcliffe being replaced by Ben Blythe and Jacob McLoughlin. The former being asked to play further forward on the left. And soon, Trinity were able to force a corner. Their first of the night. Johnson’s right footed in-swinger, delivered perfectly onto the head of Offler, who made mistake from close range. Two in two for Ashton – would the fight back be on?
Substitute Clarke had a great chance to equalise, two minutes from time. Taking the ball on his chest, he powered into the box, but Wright was equal to the effort, parrying away Javelle’s low effort Clarke then flicked on a long ball forward, into the path of Blythe, who was fouled by Williams. A second yellow in quick succession, that saw the hosts reduced to ten men, with a minute of normal time to play.
Trinity pressed, and won a second corner, as the time ticked into the final minute of normal time. Alfreton clearing off the line, as the yellows pushed for an equaliser. Yet, despite the man advantage, for the closing stages, Russ Wilcox’s men were unable to unlock a stubborn rearguard.
Now attention shifts swiftly to Saturday, and the visit to FC United of Manchester’s Broadhurst Park. We’ll see you there!
The Teams
Alfreton: James Wright, Louis Francis (George Grumley 56) Sam Parker, Kasper Williams, Ewan Robson, Connor Dixon, Dylan Youmbi (Billy Gough 89), Reece Fyfe, Siya Ligendza, Jakub Kruszynski, Frank Tattum (Daniel Odunaiya 69)
Subs not used: Tom Solanke and Charlie Finney
Gainsborough Trinity: David Robson, Harvey Sutcliffe (Jacob McLoughlin 76) Ashley Jackson, George Hornshaw (Bobby Johnson 60) Jack Leckie, Harrison Beeden, Lewis Butroid (Ben Blythe 75) Jordan Helliwell (Elliott Whitehouse 73) Theo Williams, Ashton Offler, Fraser Preston (Javelle Clarke 60)
Alfreton goals: Ligendza 1’ and Youmbi 75’
Sent off (second yellow) Kasper Williams 89
Trinity goal: Offler 79’
Words: Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images: Ben Page