Match Day At Alfreton

Hereford are away at Alfreton this evening.

Here's some information from Alfreton:

Fixture Overview

• Fixture Title: Alfreton Town vs Hereford
• Competition: National League North
• Date: Thursday 19th March
• Kick-off Time: 19:45
• Venue: Solana Stadium (DE55 7FZ)

Admission

IMPORTANT: Supporter segregation is in operation for this fixture.

• Prices: Adults: £15 / Concessions: £10 / Students: £10 / Under-15: £3
• How to Buy:
  • Online: Alfreton Town F.C. – Event – Alfreton Town F.C. v Hereford
  • Cash / Card
• Turnstile Information: Home supporters – North Street; Away supporters – Alma Street

Travel and Parking

• Address: Solana Stadium, North Street, Alfreton, DE55 7FZ
• Parking:  There is no parking available at the ground for supporters. There is parking available just outside the ground, at Alfreton Town Supports Social Club (£3) on a first come, first served basis. Other recommended pay-and-display car parks at Rogers Lane (DE55 7FF) and Severn Square (DE55 7BT), both around a 5–10 minute walk from the ground.
• Restrictions: Please avoid parking in residential streets near the stadium.
  

Public Transport

• Train: The nearest station is Alfreton, approximately a 15-minute walk to the ground
• Bus: Services 9.1 (Derby–Alfreton) and 90 (Nottingham–Alfreton) stop near Nottingham Road, close to the stadium
• Walking: Around 5 minutes from Alfreton town centre

Match Coverage

• Live Updates: Follow along with live match updated on X (@alfretontownfc)
• Live Stream: There is no live stream of this game.
• Post-Match: Match reports, interviews, galleries and highlights will be available on our website following the match. 

Fan Information

• Food and Drink: The Reds Bar and food kiosks open before kick-off and at half-time
• Matchday Programme: On sale at the turnstiles
• Club Shop: Open on matchdays for merchandise sales

Contact

If you want to get in touch with the club, you can email us on enquiries@alfretontownfc.com.

Alternatively, you can see the latest Reds news and updates on our club website and across our social media channels on X, Facebook and Instagram.

We hope you have a great time visiting the Solana Stadium. 

Hereford 10/7 To Win At Alfreton This Evening

 

Given it's Thursday there is only one fixture set to take place in the National North League this evening.

And it's one that was postponed on February 7th.

It's being played on a Thursday because Hereford have not any free Saturday's or Tuesday's left this season.

The bookmakers are offering 10/7 for Hereford to win the game.

Last Tuesday Hereford lost 4-1 to a very good AFC Fylde side, Alfreton lost 2-1 at Southport.

Currently Alfreton are 23rd in the table with 33 points from 35 games. Hereford are 21st with 38 points from 33 games.

Alfreton's home record is won 6, drawn 4 and lost 6.

Hereford's away record is won 4, drawn 5 and lost 9.

Alfreton's recent games WLLDLL

Hereford's recent form WDWWWL

Alfreton 15/8  Draw 13/5  Hereford 10/7 

THROWBACK THURSDAY | Wigan Athletic 3-4 Hereford United - 19th March 1994

Darren Roberts on loan from Wolves scores two on his debut, Chris Pike and Derek Hall secure the win.

Line Ups Wigan 1 Farnworth 2 Carragher 3 Wright 4 Robinson 5 Skipper 6 Rimmer 7 Langley 8 Connelly 9 Gavin 10 Thorne 11 Lyons Subs Morton, Strong

Hereford 1 Judge 2 Clark 3 Downs 4 Davies 5 Abraham 6 Reece 7 Hall 8 Steele 9 Pike 10 Roberts 11 Nicholson Subs Pickard, Morris Attendance 1,542

Second Half Pictures Hereford v AFC Fylde

A selection from the second half.

 

First Half Pictures Hereford v AFC Fylde

A selection of pictures from the first half of last night's game.

 

Before And After 90 Minutes At Edgar Street Last Night

A selection of pictures from before and after the game between Hereford and AFC Fylde.

The Match Started Six Minutes Late Because The Two Keepers Were Wearing The Same Colour Shirts.

Highlights Hereford v AFC Fylde

 

Highlights of last night's game at Edgar Street where Hereford played AFC Fylde are on line.

These are the Fylde version.

https://www.afcfylde.co.uk/videos/a9c0f524-5a2a-40c0-bab8-20a267d61add 

Another day, another game

It’s been a handful of hours since the end of the Fylde game, so it must be time for another one. Hereford FC go again on Thursday, yes Thursday, with a trip to Alfreton.

This is only the third attempt to get this fixture on, which feels like a relatively straightforward scenario for this season. However, spring has very much sprung and unless Derbyshire experiences some sort of natural disaster, or Nottinghamshire invades it having considered it to be aggressively stockpiling nuclear missiles with a view to obliterating its neighbour, the game will go ahead.

Thursday still seems like a weird day to be playing a game (Thursdays are nothing days, the beige of days – they arguably shouldn’t exist at all, although I guess that would play havoc with calendars), but that weirdness shouldn’t mask the importance of it in terms of Hereford getting back to the business of securing safety as soon as possible, following Tuesday night’s setback against Fylde. Once that safety is secured (and that needn’t really be mathematical, just realistic) the Downes-Pell era can be formalised with contracts for next season and they can start building for 2026/27 with a view to operating towards the top of the table rather than the bottom.

No excuse exists for a club that generates such revenue through the turnstiles to be in the bottom four of the sixth tier of English football ever again.

Cold, hard reality doesn’t come more cold, hard or real than a 4-1 home loss followed by a trip to Alfreton, especially with only a 48-hour gap in between, with even less time to recover from the Alfreton game before the next game at Macclesfield on Saturday. The fixture pile-up always looked like it was going to be difficult on paper, particularly this phase, but actually now being in the middle of it you realise how hard it is on part-time players, and how having games in hand isn’t a luxury when they’re all coming at once.

However, that’s where we’re at, and that means rotation. Harrison Sohna will presumably see himself dropped to the bench for this, which in any normal scenario would seem a bit harsh on a player scoring freely and contributing considerably, but unusually the player and fans will totally understand why.

George Munday will be the starting striker here having been largely rested on Tuesday, but in the short time he was on against Fylde his enthusiasm and instincts seemed fully intact, and he’ll give the hosts a containment headache here.

Mikey Lane was quite rightly picked as MOTM on Tuesday; the Fleetwood loanee was exceptional in the quarter of an hour when Hereford gave Fylde some cause for concern in the second half, largely being the sole cause for that concern. I’m not sure he’s suited to being rested, and he’ll presumably play a part here at some stage. I’d love him to get off the mark - there’s so much to like about him.

Two others who may get starts here are Lawson Dath and Cormac Daly, and I mention them together because the former is able to uncannily and instinctively release the latter with exquisitely-weighted balls into the path of the Forest loanee just where the opposition right back doesn’t want them. A latter-day Jimmy Harvey-Chris Price telepathy seems to be developing, on the other side of the pitch. Alfreton will double up on Daly in an attempt to nullify him because that’s what they do, which will create opportunities elsewhere.

Whether they’re home or away, the Reds set up always to nick 1-0 wins. They’ve conceded fewer goals at home than Fylde have. However, ahead of the last time this game was scheduled, they’d won three of their last five, and sat four points clear of Hereford. That’s all changed. They’re now five points behind Hereford having played two games more and picked up just one point in their last five games. It’s a very good time to play them, even if it comes at the time of the Bulls’ deepest fixture congestion.

Their dip in form has corresponded with the departure of Ludlow-based goalie Harry Burgoyne, who now trains the Sloppies stoppers.

Young Josh Ayers is their biggest goal threat, and for whatever reason ex-Bull Sam Osborne is still out of favour, although recently he’s been promoted from having no involvement at all to being given a place on the bench. All quite baffling given their league position. He could be part of a very exciting side next season if he can be brought back to Edgar Street.

I don’t see this as a six-pointer. It’s a match between a side in genuine trouble and one with a very talented squad that just has to cleverly navigate the fixture situation it finds itself in en route to comfortable safety.

You’d never, ever underestimate Alfreton’s ability to grind something out, but this new Bulls squad has so much to it that can creatively find a way to unlock sides set up to simply and one-dimensionally play the percentages that you’d heavily back an away win here. Well, I would.

Finally, considering Fylde have aspirations to be a proper, professional EFL club (good luck with that), they might want to have a word with that odd, objectionable little urchin who bizarrely and amateurishly celebrated the first goal on Tuesday in front of the Meadow End. It seems to be a trend. Is it because these clubs don’t have fans of their own?

COYW

Tickets For Kidderminster On Good Friday

Tickets for Hereford's away game at Kidderminster on Good Friday are now on sale.

This from Kidderminster:

TICKETS for Harriers’ unmissable next two home fixtures are now on sale as the season heads into a thrilling final stretch at Aggborough.

First up is a huge Good Friday clash on 3rd April (3pm) as Hereford make the short trip for the Worcestershire-Herefordshire derby.

Meetings between the two sides are always keenly contested and this one carries even greater significance.

The Bulls will arrive in great form having transformed their season in recent weeks – they’re pushing to ensure National League North status but could go well beyond that with games in hand, while Harriers continue to battle hard to cement their place in the race for the play-off places.

HOW TO BUY

As ever, online purchase is still by far the quickest and easiest way to get your ticket to the game, and you can do this via our online platform at any point up to 15 minutes after kick off.

Can’t purchase online? You can call our Ticket Office on 01562 823 931 who will assist. Otherwise, we strongly advise purchasing in advance. Even if you’ve made a late decision to come the match, you can still get your ticket via your phone or tablet on the way, or even once you arrive.

Home fans: Prices rise by £5 for any ticket purchased in person at the box office on the day of the match. To avoid this, buy online, below, up to 15 minutes after kick off.

Away fans: Tickets must purchased in advance or online, no tickets will be sold to away supporters in person at the ground on the day of the match. Contact us on the details above if you need any assistance. 

Downes plans changes as Bulls look to learn and bounce back in brutal run

Aaron Downes says Hereford must learn quickly from their defeat to AFC Fylde and “approach Thursday positive” as a relentless run of fixtures continues.

The Bulls were beaten 4-1 at Edgar Street after a disjointed first-half display left them with too much to do, despite an improved showing after the break.

With five games in 12 days, Downes made six changes to his side and confirmed more rotation will follow ahead of the trip to Alfreton which is a relegation six-pointer.

“There’ll be more changes against Alfreton from the team that started tonight,” he said, with the Reds five points behind Hereford.

“That’s the nature of the beast when you’re playing two games in two days.”

After the trip on Thursday, the Bulls then travel to Macclesfield before returning home to play Spennymoor Town, Buxton and Macclesfield.

Despite the result under the floodlights at Edgar Street on Tuesday, the Hereford boss insisted both the defeat and the upcoming clash in Derbyshire must be kept in perspective.

“There's a long way to go," he told the media after the game. "I’ve said to the players, tonight won’t define our season.

"Thursday won't necessarily define our season but we have to make sure that we learn from tonight, move on and approach Thursday night positive and go up there and give a good account of ourselves."

Despite the disappointing scoreline in what is the second defeat of Downes's eight-game reign, he was keen to highlight the reaction after the interval, as his side played with more energy and intent.

"Really proud of the boys in the second half because we were ever so bright and energetic and showed a real good reaction.

"They [Fylde] were clinical, don't get me wrong, in the first half definitely. They're a good side and credit to them and I'm sure they're going to have a good season, but from our point of view, really proud of the boys second half because they tried ever so hard and they didn't stop.

"They got the rewards with the goal."

It was Harrison Sohna’s late strike that ensured the Bulls had something to show for their efforts, and Downes felt better decision-making might have led to further goals.

'We threw a lot of punches': Defiant Downes mulls Fylde defeat

Aaron Downes said he would rather see his Hereford side “throw punches” than sit back, despite their 4-1 defeat to AFC Fylde at Edgar Street.

The Bulls were swept aside in a clinical first-half display by the National League North leaders, but showed far more intent after the break and were rewarded with a late Harrison Sohna goal.

And while the result ended Hereford’s recent winning run, Downes took encouragement from the attitude his players showed in trying to get back into the contest.

"I'd much rather lose a game 4-1, giving it a go, getting after them, and maybe exposing ourselves a little bit potentially, than just sitting back and losing 2-0 and not even throwing a punch," he said.

"We did that tonight, threw a lot of punches. We copped a couple as well, don't get me wrong, but that's a good side we played against tonight.

"I'm proud of the boys for the way they went about it."

Hereford made six changes with a demanding run of fixtures in mind, and Downes insisted he had full belief in the players he selected.

"I started a team that I felt was capable to go and win the football match, that was my intention, and that was the boys' intentions," he told the media at Edgar Street on Tuesday evening.

"I believe in all the players that we're playing. Felt it was right time to make a couple changes and shake up.

"There'll be more changes against Alfreton from the team that started tonight. But that's the nature of the beast when you're playing two games in two days."

The Bulls showed greater energy after the interval, with Sohna, Mikey Lane and Justin Donawa all going close before eventually finding a late breakthrough.

Downes also praised the supporters, who continued to back the team throughout despite the scoreline.

Match report: Hereford punished by ruthless Fylde

Fylde's first goal

A disjointed first half saw Hereford punished by clinical National League North leaders AFC Fylde as they ran out 4-1 winners at Edgar Street.

Despite high-flying South Shields on Saturday, the Bulls failed to repeat the feat and make it four wins on the bounce as they play the first of a gruelling five games in 12 games.

First half goals from Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile, Danny Mayor and Tom Whelan saw the visitors go into the break with a comfortable lead before Luca Thomas made it four in the 62nd minute.

Harrison Sohna did pull a goal back in the 89th minute as the Bulls capitalised on a Fylde error, but it was too little too late to mount a comeback.

With the congested fixture list in mind, Aaron Downes made six changes to the side that beat the Mariners 2-1 on Saturday; in came Matt Preston, Mikey Lane, Andy Williams, Justin Donawa, Joseph James and Harry Tustin for Aaron Skinner, Lawson D'Ath, George Munday, Cormac Daly, Keziah Martin and Kyle Howkins.

With the match kicking off seven minutes late, Fylde threatened first as Danny Ormerod glided past Keenan Quansah only to fire wide when well placed. But with just five minutes on the clock, Fylde's Mayor picked out Rodriguez-Gentile with a neat cross from the right and the marksman, in acres of space in the box, drilled the ball home from 12 yards.

The goal failed to be the wake-up call needed for Hereford who continued to be under kosh by the creative full-timers, with the side seeming disjointed in the opening stages.

Lewis Hudson nearly got his name on the scoresheet in the 21st minute, nearly turning a dangerous cross from Chesterfield loanee Adam Lewis on the left into the back of his own net when trying to clear it from point-blank range.

Though four minutes later, Mayor doubled his side's lead with a tricky run into the box from the left. After carving through Hereford's defence, the 35-year-old who has more than 400 EFL appearances behind him, planted the ball past Theo Richardson.

As Fylde continued to put pressure on Hereford, including Hudson deflecting an Ormerod cross-cum-shot and Rodriguez-Gentile seeing a strike shot at goal also deflected, it was only a matter of a time before they made it three.

Once again Mayor was involved after his corner was turned goalwards by Chris Merrie - although half-cleared, it fell kindly to Whelan who found the back of the net through a crowded box seven minutes from the break.

Before half-time, Harrison Sohna, who scored the two stunning goals against Shields, could have reduced the deficit as a free-kick was easily caught by Zac Jones before a shot moments later sailed over.

Half time: Hereford 0 - AFC Fylde 3

After a first half where Hereford hadn't quite clicked against the organised, professional and well-drilled Coasters side, they did start the second 45 brightly with a low Mikey Lane shot flying wide of the upright seconds after the restart.

After Thomas forced Hereford stopper Richardson into saving hi shot, Sohna then had another chance to repeat Saturday's heroics with a free kick on the edge of the area after being fouled, but his looping effort couldn't dip underneath the crossbar.

As the Bulls continued in search of a way back into the game and avoid a second loss under Aaron Downes, an accurate long ball forward from Richardson was picked up by Lane, but his cross from the left flank just evaded Williams.

Back in front of the Blackfriars End and Richardson was once again called into action, this time to deny a tame effort from Ormerod who had created space between Preston and Quansah before failing to connect cleanly with the ball.

Goal number four did arrive in the 62nd minute though as Quansah gifted possession to Rodriguez-Gentile in a dangerous position. He then picked out Thoma, who curled into the top corner.

The Bulls thought they'd pulled a goal back seven minutes later as Lane lifted the ball over the keeper after Fylde lost possession, only to be ruled out for a questionable offside.

While Fylde threatened still through Rodriguez-Gentile and substitute Ethan Mitchell, Hereford created their own chances including Donawa firing agonisingly wide when well-placed.

But after an improved second half performance, Downes's Bulls deserved at least a goal - which did eventually come in the 89th minute. Man of the match Lane was able to pick out the run of Sohna who beat the keeper for his fourth goal in three games.

Into five minutes of injury time, both sides had one more clear-cut chance, with substitute Aaron Skinner only able to find the arms of the keeper from an acute angle and Whelan firing wide.

Full time: Hereford 1 - AFC Fylde 4

Attendance: 2,386 (27 away)

Sponsors' man of the match: Mikey Lane

All in all, it was always going to be a big ask to beat the league's top two sides in four days, especially given the hectic fixture schedule facing Hereford in the eight weeks to the end of the season. When looking at this week, Thursday's match in Derbyshire against Alfreton - what is really a six-pointer - could arguably be the priority.

Still, the improvement under Downes is remarkable. Hereford didn't let their heads drop after conceding early and actually looked much better after the break - but ultimately they just weren't good enough to beat a very clinical Fylde who scored with four classy finishes.

Hereford: Richardson, Hudson (Skinner 66'), Preston, Sohna, Lane, Williams (Daly 66'), Donawa, Quansah, James (Munday 84'), Willcox (D'Ath 66'), Tustin.

Subs not used: Martin, Lewis, Howkins

AFC Fylde: Jones, Taylor, Merrie (Wilson 74'), Thomas (Hunter 65'), Mayor (Mitchell 59'), Healy-Byrne (Coates 34'), Lancaster, Whelan, Felipe, Ormerod (Faris 80'), Lewis

Subs not used: Boyes, McFayden