2023-24 FA Cup: Second Round – Alfreton Town vs Walsall

Alfreton Town host Walsall at North Street in the Second Round of 2023-24 FA Cup.

Victory would see Alfreton reach the Third Round for the first time in their history, whilst Walsall can advance beyond this stage for a second consecutive season with a win.

 

Team News

Jordan Thewlis is a doubt for Alfreton due to injury.

Lewis Salmon is back in contention after recovering from a lengthy knock but is short of match fitness, so is expected to start on the bench if declared match fit.

Walsall could be without Owen Evans after he suffered a calf injury in their midweek defeat at Barrow in League Two.

Ross Tierney (hamstring), Jack Earing (knee) and Rollin Menayese (fitness) are unlikely to feature unless declared match fit by club doctors.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Alfreton host Walsall in a 7:45pm GMT kick-off at North Street on Tuesday 5 December, live on BBC iPlayer in the UK after the originally scheduled tie on 2 December was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Alfreton’s first-ever meeting against Walsall in all competitions.
• Walsall are playing a competitive fixture at North Street for the first time.
• Six of Alfreton’s 10 goals in this season’s FA Cup were scored by Salmon, Liam Waldock and Kennedy Digie – who all scored two goals apiece.
• Ross Tierney has scored in both major cup competitions for Walsall this season, having netted against Sheppey United in the First Round plus against Blackburn in the Carabao Cup.

 

Prediction

Having defeated fellow Non-League opposition to get to this round, Alfreton now need to relax and focus on this game with a disciplined defensive display unlike recent weeks, whilst their attack must be absolutely clinical if want to make some club history.

Walsall meanwhile won’t underestimate this fixture after having had to fight back to beat Sheppey United in the first round, but if they can put their recent rut of two wins in 11 games behind them then this should be a comfortable win.

Alfreton though won’t make this easy in front of a bumper crowd but I just don’t see Walsall losing this game if they can find their goalscoring boots.

Prediction: Alfreton 0-2 Walsall

Result: Alfreton 0-0 Walsall