Match Preview: FC United vs Alfreton Town

Check out our preview of tonight’s match as FC United hosts Alfreton Town in the Vanarama National League North.

With four points from the last six on offer, things are definitely starting to look up for FC United. Saturday’s hard fought 1-1 draw with Brackley saw signs of good progress.

We are now looking for our first home win of the season in the league tonight when we welcome Alfreton Town to Broadhurst Park.

The visitors come into this fixture on the back of a heart-breaking stoppage time 3-2 defeat away to promotion hopefuls, Chester FC. The result was compounded by the fact that they have now lost five consecutive league matches.

A win could see us move to within three points of Alfreton, but more importantly, could take us out of the relegation zone.

With our next three games against Alfreton, Blyth Spartans and Hereford, who are floating just above the relegation zone, this is the perfect opportunity to build some momentum.

This fixture has been an exciting one in recent years, particularly at Broadhurst Park. In the last three meetings on our home turf, there has been 16 goals.

Last season we were victorious thanks to a late showing featuring a Jason Gilchrist penalty and an own goal, in the 87th and 90th minutes to see us win 3-2. However, in the reverse fixture in April Alfreton won 1-0.

After two very positive results, and with Alfreton bottom of the form table, the FC United faithful and new manager Neil Reynolds have plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

Stats:

• Last season Alfreton Town finished 17th in National League North with 49 points, one place and one point behind FC United.

• The two sides have met six times and have yet to draw, both sides claiming three wins.

• Alfreton are through to the First Round Proper of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday 10th November where they will host Fleetwood Town. Alfreton got there by beating Sutton Coldfield Town 3-0 at North Street in a replay after a 2-2 draw, winning 2-1 at Mickleover Sports and winning 4-0 at home to St Neots Town.

• On this date in 2010, FC United won 2-1 against Colwyn Bay at Gigg Lane in an FA Trophy tie watched by 1,259 with Chris Ovington and Jerome Wright scoring the goals.