A frustrating night in Derbyshire for the Lions ended in a narrow defeat, as Guiseley failed to score for the first time this season, writes Dave Robertson.
Alfreton’s home record in this campaign is a good one, and they extended that to four wins from five in a close fought encounter.
While Guiseley tried to move the ball as they have in the last few games, in tight triangles and using the pace out wide to press the defence, they were hamstrung by an uneven surface, uneven officiating, and their own uneven passing.
Yet with Amir Berchil and Cam Wilson in the team there is always opportunity. And the first half an hour, they created the best of them. First Cam Wilson’s swerving free kick hit low and with pace landed narrowly wide of the keepers right hand post. Then Berchil cut inside and embarked on a swashbuckling run to the edge of area. Sadly his final shot lacked sufficient power to beat the Alfreton keeper Alfie Roberts.
The home side, whose front three of Siya Ligendza, Dan Odunaiya and Dylan Youmbi were a constant threat, grew into the game and on 35 minutes made a breakthrough, albeit not entirely of their own doing.
An Alfreton midfielder clearly handled the ball in front of the linesman, who somehow failed to see it, and the ball forward set Ligendza free down the right. His low cross at pace ricocheted off Paul Iggulden, and despite the defenders best efforts, somehow looped over Jack Hall and in. The PA announcer gave it to Odunaiya, presumably to spare our man’s blushes.
Half-time saw two changes as Jay Rollins and Lebrun Mbeka were sent on in place of Jack Tinker and Harrison Hopper.
Rollins was a constant source of threat down the Guiseley right, sweeping one shot just over the bar, and providing a number of crosses into the box.
The away side pressed high all through the second 45, a Cam Wilson header landing just wide of the post, Rollins cutting inside and hitting a shot straight at the keeper, a corner was met and headed over by a diving Murphy, a goalmouth scramble was scrambled away, and an inviting ball rolled across the area and somehow completely evaded everyone in a yellow shirt.
Guiseley were giving it their all, but it was to be very much one of those nights. Alfreton defended soundly, and played on the break. They occasionally escaped just long enough to take the pressure off, before retreating back to foil yet another Guiseley attack.
In the end it was the hosts who held on for all three points, while the Lions lick their wounds and prepare for their Emirates FA Cup derby match on Saturday.
Alfreton Town 1-0 Guiseley | Tuesday 29th September 2026 | Solana Stadium
Attendance: 348
Team: 1. Jack Hall, 2. Lucas Odunston, (78′ Sinfield) 3. Jack Tinker (46′ Mbeka), 4. Harrison Hopper, (46′ Rollins) 5. Elliot Owen, 6. Paul Iggulden, (68′ Emmett) 7. Ollie Brown (C), 8. Charlie Staniland, (87′ Boyle 87’) 9. Kallan Murphy, 10. Cam Wilson and 11. Amir Berchil.
Subs: 12. Lebrun Mbeka, 14. Jack Emmett, 15. Derren Boyle, 16. Jay Rollins and 17. Frankie Sinfield.
