Alfreton 2 Darlington 3

Goals: Nelson 17 0-1, Day 47 1-1, Barnes 66 mins, 1-2, 72 mins, 1-3, Thewlis 80 mins, 2-3

Attendance 562

Quakers won their first game of the season at North Street, thanks a first half goal by Andrew Nelson, and two from super sub Finlay Barnes.

Nelson put Quakers into a half time lead, but then Alfreton equalised at the start of the second half.

But on went on new signing Finlay Barnes, and he scored with his first touch within a minute , a shot into the top left, and his second, a header from a corner.

There were still some nervous moments when Alfreton pulled a late goal back, but Quakers defence stayed firm.

Alfreton had a let off in the first minute, when George Willis came out of his goal and tried to clear, but his clearance rebounded off Jacob Hazel and he just managed to get the ball away at the second attempt.

Quakers won their first corner on 5 minutes , but Jordan Mustoe hoisted the ball too high at the far post for Nelson.

They had a penalty shout on 7 minutes when Kaine Felix’s right wing cross was blocked by a defender’s arm, but the referee gave a corner instead.

Alfreton nearly scored on 8 minutes when Ryan Taylor won the ball midway inside the Darlington half, and curled a left foot shot just wide of the left hand post.

Quakers took the lead on 17 minutes. There was some good interchange of play on the right hand side, for Andrew Nelson to pick the ball up, run forward, and hit a left foot shot from 25 yards along the ground that beat Willis at the right hand post, his first goal of the season.

It was nearly 2-0 when Kallum Griffiths ran forward and struck a powerful right foot shot that Willis couldn’t hold and the ball went out for a corner.

Alfreton had a half chance from a long throw on 27 minutes when the ball was headed out as far as Salmon, whose first time volley was well blocked by the Darlington defence.

Alfreton won a free kick for a foul by Lees 30 yards out, but Waldock’s free kick was pushed away well by Taylor.

There was nearly another for Quakers on 35 minutes, and again Nelson was the danger man. He exchanged passes with Hazel, beat a man in the area, and pulled a right foot shot just wide of the right hand post

But Alfreton nearly got through at the other end, and Taylor saved well at the feet of Salmon.

half time 0-1

However, Alfreton levelled at the start of the second half, when the ball was whipped in from the left for Jake Day to score with a twisting header.

That started an aerial assault by Alfreton and a deep free kick that Quakers cleared, and a left foot shot by Brisley from a long throw that went into the side netting. Mustoe also headed a ball into the box into Taylor’s hands.

Quakers amde their first sub on 65 minutes, when Finlay Barnescame on for Adriano Moke

Quakers made their first sub on 66 minutes, Finlay Barnes, and he scored with his second touch. The ball came in from the left , was cleared as far as Barnes, who fired into the top corner.

It was nearly 3-1 when the ball was played through for Hazel, but Willis saved well.

And Quakers got another on 72 minutes, when Hatfield curled a corner in from the left, and Barnes got away from his marker to glance the ball in.

However, Alfreton got a goal back on 80 minutes when the ball was crossed from the right, for Jordan Thewlis to head in, although Quakers thought they should have had a goal kick beforehand.

Quakers nearly got through at the other end, but Hazel was denied at point blank range by a defender.

Alfreton won a free kick on the left in stoppage time, but the ball was headed away by a determined Darlington defence.

Full time 

Team: Taylor, Griffiths, Lawlor, Lees, Mustoe, Moke (sub Barnes 62), Hatfield, Platt, Felix (sub Curry 87), Nelson (sub Salkeld 82), Hazel

Subs: Liddle, Windass

Booking: Mustoe, Lees, Taylor

Alfreton: Willis, Digie, Lund, Brisley, Thewlis, Taylor, (sub Day 45+3) Perritt (sub Wiley 35), Salmon, Cantrill, Waldock, Clackstone

Subs: Oliver, Pollard, Askew

Booking: Waldock