Match Report: Al-Fold Under Pressure

Just up the road from the Elliot Scott Group Stadium, sits the airfield where the BBC filmed Top Gear. However, Alfold failed to gain any momentum at the start of the season, placing them 19th in the table.

Their league position has been arguably deceiving of their recent form earning 12 points in the last 12 games. However, on Tuesday, Alfold manager Jordan Clark stepped down from his duties to take up post at Redhill and took most of the first team with him.

Town were looking to build on a 2-0 victory against Saltdean, where 2 moments of magic secured the 3 points in an overall sloppy game. Jude Macdonald made two changes to the squad, adding giant under-23s graduate Callum Barlow and the ever-improving Finlay Tarrant into right-back.

Town dominated at the start of the game as The Fold looked like a team in crisis. Most of these players were making their first team debut and disorganisation was clear to see. Town fired in some early corners for Callum Barlow to get his head on. Unfortunately, there was no success. Leon Greig then looked to add to his recent scoring success by firing a free kick into the top right-hand corner and forcing a diving save from Fold goalkeeper Drew Churchill. A few minutes later, Town had a corner. It’s sent in where Callum Barlow impressively pulls the ball down and is able to take a low, short backlift strike, which goes in off the post. 1-0 Town!

Fold had one opportunity shortly after as the ball got zipped across the box, however, no one was able to tap it in to restore parity. Alfold then absorbed pressure as Town passed it around the midfield until they won another corner. The corner was fired in and flicked in by Ollie Davies, making it 2-0 to Town.

Town would go on to create but also waste numerous chances. Consecutive corners failed to be capitalised on, before Fletcher Holman nearly made it three, but his shot from range went just wide. Alfold looked to get one back towards the end of the first half as a promising corner sailed in. However, Winterton had it covered and punched it away to safety. Town went in at the break two goals up! 

Alfold came out in the second half with a good sense of purpose. Hasler has a shot go just wide before Davies did exactly the same at the other end. Fold then fire a shot at Winterton and the rebound is sent just wide which came as a relief for the Town bench. Town then failed to take a few more chances before Alfold struck. A quick breakaway left the Town defense stretched, Winterton saved the initial strike but Javaan Cambell followed up, reigniting hope in the Surrey crowd.

Town then began to assert themselves in attack with a long range shot from Anesu Sisimayi and a good play by new signing Alfie Peacock, Callum Barlow, and Ollie Davies.  However, the third goal evades them and the tension stays high. Towards the end of the game, Alfold charged forwards before their man went to ground, and cries of penalty bellowed out from the Alfold bench and crowd. The referee waved it off.

After some tactical corner flag play by Barlow, the game ended 2-1. 

Town welcome Lingfield to The Saffrons on Saturday as the playoff charge continues.