AFC extend lead with derby win at Glapwell

AFC started by attempting to stamp their authority on proceedings but Glapwell didn’t allow them to do that and they should have actually been in front inside the first 10 minutes.

Firstly, the lively James Whitfield chased down a hopeful ball upfield before cutting inside a defender and firing an effort at visiting keeper Dale Sheppard.

Whitfield then had a much clearer chance just moments later when he pounced on a Sam Holmes slip, but he dragged his shot wide despite finding himself one-on-one, while Jordan Jones couldn’t quite get enough on his shot after further hesitation among the visitors’ backline.

AFC soon got chances of their own, though, as Joe Naylor headed Carl Haslam’s cross wide and Danny Wiltshire fired just over the bar, after a good one-two with Dean Rick, before Ryan Hopkins made a great save to keep out Haslam’s swerving effort.

The visitors broke the deadlock on 21 minutes when Phil Buxton crossed for Dean Rick to head home from six yards.

Jordan Jones then dragged a shot wide for Glapwell before Joe Naylor wasted a big chance for the visitors when he somehow hit the bar from only a couple of yards out.

But AFC went two in front just before the break when Rick was awarded another free header to convert Danny Wiltshire’s cross.

After the break, Glapwell battled hard without ever really threatening the visitors’ goal with Wiltshire going close to extending AFC’s lead but he was denied by Hopkins.

Glapwell’s best chance of the second period saw the ball break to James Whitfield ,who could only fire straight at Dale Sheppard before AFC extended their lead when Wiltshire headed home after the visitors had launched a counter-attack.

Wiltshire then added his second, and his side’s fourth, as he composed himself to finish well and round off a good afternoon for his side.