ALFRETON TOWN kick-off the 2010/2011 season hoping it will be third time lucky as they aim to reach the top level of non league football.

Left to right, back row:
Nicky Law (Manager), Darren Stride, Aden Flint, Anton Brown, Matt Wilson, Ross Turner, Paddy Gamble, Anthony Wilson, Jake Moult, Anthony Howell, Paul Clayton, Paul Madin (Physiotherapist), Russ O'Neill (Assistant Manager).

Front row:
Kyle McFadzean, Jordan Hall, Ian Ross, Liam Hearn, Chris Hall, Nathan Arnold, Chris Shaw, Josh Law.

It's just 14 weeks since the Reds lost 2-1 in the 2009/10 Conference North play off final at Fleetwood Town.

That came on the back of losing in the 2008/09 play off semi finals, meaning third place for the Reds both times.

However, any fears of a hangover from the Fleetwood defeat look to have been very quickly dispelled as Nicky Law's squad have put in some excellent pre-season performances.

Notable results were a 1-1 draw with Chesterfield and victories over Luton Town (3-0) and Rotherham United (2-0). The only defeat was 3-1 at home to a very strong Mansfield Town side in a game that could have gone either way.

The new campaign starts with a home game against Hinckley United and follows up with away games at Redditch United and Hyde FC on Saturday, August 21.

Assistant manager Russ O'Neill is expecting a tough opening encounter.
He said: "It will be a hard game. They have had a lot of changes but Dean Thomas has brought in some good young lads down there and they have had some very good results in pre-season."

Indeed, caution should be erred for the opener as the Reds have only beat Hinckley once in 12 Conference North fixtures.

However, that was in the final league game of last season when a 3-2 Reds home win also stopped the Leicestershire side from finishing in a play-off spot.

For the opening fixture, manager Law will be without striker Anthony Wilson who serves a one game suspension carried over from last season but he does have both other summer signings, Darren Stride and Nathan Arnold fit and raring to go.

RELATED STORIES

ALFRETON 2 - STAFFORD 0
It was another comfortable win for Alfreton Town when Stafford Rangers were beaten 2-0 at the Impact Arena on Bank Holiday Monday. More...

NEW SIGNING - Alfreton Town have signed a highly rated left sided defender from their Blue Square Bet North rivals Hinckley United.23-year-old Connor Franklin has joined on a two-year contract... More...

REDS LOSE RAMS RESERVES.
Having originally confirmed their fixtures for the season, the Rams have opted to move their Reserve team home games away from Alfreton. More...

Alfreton Town Sign New Player.
Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law has made his third signing for the new season with former Burton Albion legend Darren Stride signing a one-year deal. More...

Law Unfazed By Only Summer Defeat.
Despite losing 3 - 1 Nicky Law feels that the final warm up game pre season against Mansfield was a positive experience for the Reds team. More...

Looking Ahead. Friendly v Mansfield, 7th August 2010.
Nicky Law's men welcome Mansfield Town to The Impact Arena later today. Both sides enter the fixture with good performances behind them. More...

Related Tags

Reds
Alfreton
Alfreton Town Website