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ALFRETON Town striker Paul Clayton impressed on his debut for the England C team on Tuesday when he led the line in a 4-0 win against the Maltese Under-21 national side in Paola.
In what was an experimental England line-up in which five changes were made at half time, Clayton played the whole 90 minutes and although he didn't get on the score sheet he did more than enough to keep himself in the thoughts of England C team boss Paul Fairclough.
Alfreton chairman Wayne Bradley, who attended the game, commented: "Paul didn't score but he had a good game and gave a good account of himself. He did everything asked of him."
Reds manager Nicky Law said: "I am really pleased for Clayts. His selection is just reward for a very good season for us so far." Clayton's emergence as a consistent goalscoring striker this season has already seen him rewarded with an extended Alfreton contract to the end of the 2009/10 campaign.
Clayton, 24, and Hearn, 23, have forged a 32-goal partnership for the Reds so far.
Unfortunately, fellow Reds striker Liam Hearn was unable to link up with Paul Fairclough's squad due to being unable to obtain a passport in time.
He has never owned one and despite all the best efforts of Hearn, Alfreton Town and Football Association officials, time constraints and red tape made it impossible to organise one in time for the fixture.
Manager Nicky Law thinks Hearn will hit back even stronger. He said: "It is obviously a blow to Liam not to be able to go to Malta, but he is a positive lad and we have told him that all he has to do is keep doing what he has been doing over the past few months, scoring goals and playing well.
"If he keeps on doing that he will keep his name in the frame and his England chance will surely come around again."
Action
Alfreton will be hoping to see some action for the first time in three weeks when Vauxhall Motors visit the Impact Arena in Blue Square North on Saturday.
During the period of inactivity the Reds have been knocked out of fifth place by firstly Stalybridge Celtic and Harrogate Town and the Reds go into the Vauxhall game in seventh place with the play-off battle hotting up by the game.
For the visit of Vauxhall , manager Nicky Law is without Simon Marples who will be out around a fortnight with a calf injury and Danny Mayman. He also has Ben Muirhead and Brian Cusworth suspended.
Clayton and Hearn will link up again and will be looking to score together for the third league game in a row as the Reds go chasing a fourth successive league victory.
Travel
Next Tuesday the Reds travel to Burscough (7.45pm). ATFC Supporters' Association transport departs at 4pm and seats can be booked by contacting Mark Thorpe on 01773 836251 or Warren Baines on 07795 552721.
Under-19s
Alfreton Town Under-19s were scheduled to return to action on Wednesday evening of this week with a league game at Matlock Town. The young Reds are home to Hallam next Monday, February 23, 7.45pm.
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