Match report by Chris Hudson
Expectation levels are high at the New Bucks Head so there was precious little joy to take from this disjointed stalemate.
AFC Telford United were far from their best against a resolute Alfreton side who came to claim a point and went away more than happy with their afternoon’s work.
It might have been a different story had striker Terry Fearns tucked away his eighth minute penalty.
An early goal would have forced the Derbyshire side to abandon their defensive mindset and open up the game.
Instead, they were able to sit back and soak up the best the Bucks could throw at them.
Telford struggled to make an impact in the first half, their energy and effort not matched by any real quality.
Fearns’ missed spot kick set the tone for what proved to be a frustrating first half.
The Bucks’ top scorer sidefooted wide after Anton Brown had been penalised for handling Martyn Naylor’s long free-kick from the half-way line.
Fearns has made a name for himself at former clubs for his prowess from 12 yards, but his radar proved to be well off range for this effort.
And things hardly improved over the course of the next half-hour - both sides showing plenty of endeavour and effort, but precious little real quality.
The visitors never looked like finding a way to Telford’s goal, and the Bucks were largely restricted to hopeful efforts from outside the box that were of no trouble to keeper Tom Evans.
Telford were booed off at the break and pockets of fans also indulged in sarcastic cheers when Liam Blakeman was substituted midway through the second period.
Surged
The former Southport man has not yet found his best form since switching to Shropshire, but this reaction is hardly likely to improve matters.
Nonetheless, the hosts did find another gear after the introduction of Jamie Vermiglio and Lee Moore, and enjoyed their best spell of the game around the hour mark.
Indeed, they really should have been ahead on 64 minutes when Carl Rodgers surged in from the right flank and pulled the ball back for the incoming Lee Vaughan, but he had almost too much time to think about it and blazed over.
Six minutes later Jon Adams was only denied by a terrific save from Evans, who blocked the midfielder’s effort from close range.
Boss Rob Smith must have felt the tide turning in his side’s favour and reacted by sending on another striker, Jarred Stevens, and switching to a 4-3-1-2 formation.
The bold move was not rewarded, though, as Alfreton shut up shop completely and showed their defensive qualities to keep the Bucks at bay.
Evans was involved in a momentary lapse of judgement that almost let in Andy Brown, but the ball was scrambled away for a corner.
And Sevens could have won it right at the death, timing his run perfectly to get on the end of Naylor’s corner but then miscuing his shot.
That was the final action of the afternoon and the referee’s whistle was the signal for more boos from a few disgruntled supporters.
Many Telford fans only started supporting the new club after the demise of the old one four years ago and have never really known anything but a side which wins most weeks.
That may go some way to explaining the impatience. They must adapt quickly because, as one of the promotion favourites, they may have to get used to seeing the opposition come to defend at the New Bucks Head.
But, for all the frustration, they still have 11 points from five games.
That’s something from which everyone can take a little joy at this early stage.
Match Facts:
AFC TELFORD: Young, Naylor, Vaughan (Stevens 76), Cowan, Whitehead, Rodgers, Adams, Nwadike (Vermiglio 57), Fearns, Andy Brown, Blakeman (Moore 57).
Subs not used: Jagielka, Fitzpatrick. Booked: None.
ALFRETON: Evans, Marples, Anton Brown, Ellender, McIntosh, Curtis, Law, Hall (Mayman 69), Clayton (Fortune-West 82), Muirhead, Bowler.
Subs not used: Cusworth, Davidson, Butler. Booked: None.
REFEREE: Andrew Garrett (Walsall).
ATTENDANCE: 2,026 (including 39 from Alfreton).
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