On Saturday 4 November last year, Alfreton Town beat Worthing 2-0 at home to secure qualification to the second round where they would eventually face Walsall and miss out on a third round match.
The game was held at the Impact Arena that has a capacity of just over 3,500 on a wet and miserable evening.
This match was the first time the two teams had met in the FA Cup. Alfreton last met a fellow non-league side in 2013-14, losing 3-1 away at Wrexham in the first round.
This was Alfreton’s first FA Cup first round appearance since 2018-19, when they lost 4-1 to Fleetwood Town. They have only reached the second round twice before, doing so in 2008-09 and 2012-13.
Jordan Thewlis had a penalty appeal turned down after being felled in the first half and Jake Day hit the post for the hosts in the first half.
In the 73rd minute, Nathan Newall slotted Alfreton first, a left footed shot from outside the box into the top left hand corner.
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Less than a quarter of an hour later, Alfreton scored again, this time from Kennedy Digie. A header from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Billy Fewster with a cross following a corner kick.
A closely matched game in terms of possession with Worthing having 51% of the overall time on the ball. However, Alfreton’s nine shots compared to Worthing’s six proved the difference being more clinical in front of goal.
After a draw at Walsall in the next round again at the Impact Arena, the club went to a third round replay against Championship side, Southampton.
The clubs memories from the opening four rounds, and a first round win to get to the FA Cup second round proper for only the third time in the clubs history, will long be cherished.