Clinical Halifax ease past struggling Town

Ainge’s first goal of the campaign and Boden’s sixth gave the visitors a deserved win to make it 27 points from a possible first 39 available.

Shortly before the first goal, former Alfreton loanee Boden tested Cameron Dawson with a low drive after Danny Hattersley’s flick-on. Marc Roberts then caused his usual mayhem from a long-throw, with the ball eventually breaking to Adam Smith, and his cross was an open invitation for Ainge to nod in.

The second-half maintained a similar pattern as Roberts continued to gobble up any high balls, Alfreton’s route one approach that had worked so devastatingly last season falling flat.

Roberts remained the biggest thorn in Alfreton’s side at both ends as his long throw was turned in by Boden to double Town’s lead.

Alfreton’s persistence with lofted balls towards their front two played right into Halifax’s hands as Law’s side struggled to penetrate the Town defence.

If anything, Town could have extended their comfortable lead as substitute Richard Peniket brought a save from Dawson late on in the game.

Alfreton Town: Dawson, Wood, Courtney, Graham (Howell 82), Rowe-Turner, Bradley, Keane, Thanoj, Mellor, Hawley (Clayton 84), Ironside (Igiehon 72). Unused substitutes: Shaw, McDonald.

FC Halifax: Glennon, K Roberts, M Roberts, Williams, McManus, Smith (Peniket 62), Pearson, Ainge, Marshall, Boden, Hattersley (Jackson 76). Unused substitutes: Senior, Schofield, Hibbs.

Referee: K Evans (Greater Manchester).