Marine 2-3 Alfreton Town; Enterprise NLN; Saturday 18th April 2026
Tom Murphy reports from the MTA…
A 90th minute winner from Lewis Salmon against Marine means Alfreton keep their survival chances alive heading into the final game of the season.
It was a fast start from Marine as Charlie Jolley came close in the opening four minutes only to see his effort whistle past the post.
The Mariners continued to create plenty of chances in the opening stages and their patience eventually paid off.
A lovely worked goal was finished off coolly by Fin Sinclair-Smith who netted his 12th goal of the season.
The frame of the goal denied what would have been an excellent second from Sinclair-Smith in the closing stages of the half.
Alfreton, who had struggled to create anything at all, thought they had found a surprise equaliser only to be denied by the offside flag in the final kick of the half.
Alfreton came out the blocks quickly in the second half and soon found an equaliser thanks to Siyabonga Ligendza.
The striker then tucked away a penalty in the 74th minute after the referee awarded the spot kick for a hand ball.
George Newell’s header in the 84th minute meant we were level again at The MTA in the closing stages of the game.
A brilliant finish from Salmon right at the death secured Alfreton a massive three points in their bid to stay in the division.
Marine: Barnsley; Thomas, Wardle ©, Drysdale, Ashton (Anson 38’); Fielding (Potter 75’), Whelan, McDonald (Butler 90); Sinclair-Smith, Newell, Jolley (Huby 63’).
Unused subs: McIntyre, Zanzala, Leuluai.
Alfreton Town: Casper; N. Newell, Hunt, Cummings, Freeman; Lissimore, Lund; S.Newell (McDonagh 85’), Salmon, Youmbi; Ligendza.
Unused subs: Clackstone,, Scott, Dodoo.
Referee: Kavan Hurn
Attendance: 1,456
