Before their recent 1-1 draw with Radcliffe FC, I had the opportunity to speak with George Allen and Josh Lamey, two commentators for Alfreton Town, about how the Reds’ season has changed since the arrival of the January recruits.
They have had a recent upturn in form after what has been a torrid 12 months for the club on the pitch.
Despite still finding themselves firmly in a relegation battle in the Enterprise National League North, recent performances under new manager Jake Buxton have given hope to
the Reds for survival this season.
Key signings have come in and made a massive impact to Buxtons side, players like Kieron Freeman, Jo Cummings and Josh Ayres have all contributed hugely since their arrival.
George sang the praises of Cummings and Freeman, saying about them, “add
ing needed experience to a backline and really securing what a previously very leaky defence was.”
“The players that joined in January have really helped us push to where we want to be”, George continued.
Josh was more praising of the goals of Rotherham loanee striker Josh Ayres, who has 6 goals in his first 8 Alfreton games, already making him the club’s top scorer.
“Josh Ayres, especially, has added a real quality to the side.
We have recruited real quality rather than quantity,” Josh added.
The loan market is where Alfreton have operated mostly under Buxton, bringing in nine loanees so far during his tenure, to varying success.
Major loan signings have been the striking additions of Ayres and Mark Beck, who are the club’s top two scorers despite Beck only being at the club for a month.
George said: “A lot of recruitment didn’t work out, which led to us looking to loans, Mark Beck was excellent when he came in, Josh Ayres has six in eight has also been fantastic.
“I’m sure the club will look for a more permanent option in the summer, to try and get someone contracted to the club that we could build around for a few years.”
Josh acknowledges how “the loan market comes with its uncertainties”, but understands how the club are working in a difficult situation.
He said: “For the situation we are in this season, I think we have done really well to get the personnel in on loan, being able to bring in bursts of quality has helped us do well.”
It hasn’t just been new signings through the door at Alfreton, though.
New manager Jake Buxton and assistant Matt Carbon have made a real difference since they arrived from Derby County.
George feels: “A lot of praise needs to go to Jake, both tactically and in the transfers.
“He’s the man who has the final say on these signings, and they have all improved the squad.
“Jake Buxton’s a popular figure here in Derbyshire, and since he’s come in, there’s been a real sense of cohesion in the squad.
“Defensively, we have been miles better than we were under the previous manager, Billy Heath,” he added.
It’s getting towards crunch time in the season for Alfreton now, and with them still finding themselves sat in the relegation zone, they need to turn these good performances into points on the board soon.
Alfreton’s biggest advantage is their games in hand, but Josh thinks these games are an “uncertainty”.
When asked if Alfreton can survive this season, both were firm in their answers.
“Yes, Alfreton can stay up.”
