Football – England – Blue Square Premier
Tuesday 18th December 2012 – Kickoff: 1945hrs
18th placed Alfreton Town take on mid-table Cambridge United as I delve into the non-league circuit at the Impact Arena on Tuesday night in Derbyshire.
Such is the competitive nature of this division that Alfreton are just two points and three positions away from the last remaining relegation spot currently occupied by Braintree Town, yet are just two points adrift of tonight’s opponents Cambridge United in 13th place.
Alfreton’s league form has been a bit sketchy in recent weeks with just three wins from their last twelve BSP matches (2-1 at Macclesfield Town, 4-3 at home to Newport County and a 2-1 win at Woking) but have lost against Grimsby Town, Gateshead and Luton Town along with six draws. Their home record stands at 2-4-3 13/17 and they’ve lost just once in their last six at home.
Paul Clayton (8 goals, 1 assist) and Daniel Bradley (6 goals, 2 assists) are the two main danger men in attack while Josh Law (4 assists) and Nathan Arnold (5 assists) have produced the creativity so far.
Visitors Cambridge United travel up to Derbyshire on the back of an FA Trophy defeat at home to Gateshead on the weekend and will be keen to bounce back immediately with a win that would lift them up to 10th place. On the league front, Cambridge United are unbeaten in their last four with wins over Macclesfield Town 2-0, Ebbsfleet United away 4-2 and ironically Gateshead 3-0 along with a point at home to Tamworth in a 1-1 draw who have won just one away match less than Luton Town (6).
Cambridge United’s away record stands at 2-4-4 19/22 and this obviously needs improvement, but they did win at Ebbsfleet United last time on their travels. However, they do stand a chance at Alfreton on Tuesday night as The U’s have failed to score an away goal just once in their last twelve and with attacking personnel such as striker Tom Elliott (11 goals, 2 assists), Michael Gash (5 goals, 3 assists), James Jennings (3 goals, 4 assists) and influential trio Coulson, Shaw and Willmott, this suggests they can get at least a draw at Alfreton tonight.
Alfreton’s form has taken a sudden dip for the worst in recent matches having lost their last three on the trot in all competitions while Cambridge United certainly possess the firepower to keep out of trouble tonight, and they might even nick this one. Take the round ball in case of a draw, but The U’s might take this 1-0.
Pick: Cambridge United AH0 @ 2.04 Pinnacle
