FREESTONE DOUBLE GIVES ILSON TROPHY TREAT

30th November 2002

Ilkeston Town 3 Hednesford Town 1  Att 436 FA Trophy 2nd Round

Ilkeston line up:- 

Atkinson and Lodge get stuck in	McKenzie goes gor goal	Newboy Lodge on the ball

Ilkeston started todays FA Trophy looking to revenge the 6-2 league defeat inflicted by Hednesford which led to the sacking of John McGinlay. The Robins opened brightly with Carl Heggs troubling the Pitmens defence with his strong running and awkward style. Home debutant Andy Lodge impressed on the left flank and missede Ilkeston’s best chance of the first half when he controlled a loose ball beat a defender and shot just over. Hednesford tried to ease there way back into the game with the gargantuan Kevin Francis being the focus of most of their attacking moves but Ilkeston started to dominate the midfield with Emeka Nwadike strong tackling unsettling the visitors.

Ilkeston were applauded off the field as the fans acknowledged the effort the players had put in.

After the break Hednesford had their best spell with Matt Nurse being called on to make some telling saves.  Ilkeston however continued to pres forward and they got their reward when Simon Coleman’s long clearance was pounced on by Leon Kelly who rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home from a very acute angle after 59 minutes. Five minutes later Hednesford bought on substitute Anthony McGuire and he put the visitors level with his very first touch. Ilkeston conceded a corner and \failed to clear the ball and after a goal mouth scramble McGuire headed home from close range.

Ilkeston reacted by showing a sense of purpose rarely seen this season and they continued to pour forward. Eventually they started to wear Hednesford down. Ilkeston regained the lead with twelve minutes to go when Andy Lodge popped up on the right wing beat a defender and crossed for Chris Freestone to score with an excellent header.

Grwowing in confidence the Robins put the Pitmen under severe pressure in the closing stages with Chris Freestone coming close twice and Leon Kelly being foiled by the keeper when his pace took him past the final defender once more. The third arrived when Andy Lodge again raced down the wing and crossed for Leon Kelly to head towards goal. Michael Bingham in the visitors goal fumbled the ball and Chris Freestone was on hand to prod home his second goal.

After the abject performances against lower opposition in the form of Long Eaton and Shepshed this was a tremendous display. The Robins battled for the whole game and never stopped going forward. There were some excellent performances with Mat McKenzie again outstanding in defence. Emeka Nwadike had an excellent first half  and he secured the midfield with his ferocious but fair tackling. Upfront Leon Kelly troubled the Hednesford defence the whole ninety minutes and Chris Freestone had an outstanding last thirty minutes. However the White Ball Project Man of the Match goes to Andy Lodge who on his home debut showed control, skill and most importantly the ability to provide match winning crosses.

As much as manager Charlie Bishop will have enjoyed this impressive victory he will looking at how Ilkeston can build on what is their best performance of the season and transfer their cup form into the league starting with Havant and Waterlooville next week. The Robins need to win half their remaining league matches to be a certain of avoiding relegation and after today's performance there will fresh hope that that target can be reached.

DISMAL DISPLAY LEADS TO DR MARTENS CUP EXIT

26th November 2002

Shepshed Dynamo 3  Ilkeston Town 3  Att 98 Dr Martens League Cup 3rd Round

Ilkeston line up:- 

Ilkeston slumped to an embarrassing defeat to a team struggling one division below the Robins. 

Shepshed opened the scoring on 39 minutes and deservedly added as second five minutes from time. Just as the men from Leicestershire appeared to be strolling to a comfortable victory the Robins hit back with goals from Ryan Ford and Leon Kelly. Indeed Kelly had a good shout for a penalty turned down with seconds left on the clock. Shepshed again took the lead 14 minutes into extra time only for Ilkeston to equalise again through Leon Kelly from the penalty spot. The game then went to penalties and Shepshed got their just rewards winning the shoot out 4-2. 

On a dismal night for the Robins Ryan Ford played well and Matt McKenzie did enough to win the White Ball Project Man of the Match award.

LONG EATON DEFEATED AFTER EARLY SCARE

19th November 2002

Long Eaton United 2 Ilkeston Town 3  Att 180 Derbyshire Senior Cup 3rd Round

Ilkeston line up:- 

Ilkeston went into this Derbyshire Senior Cup tie hoping to avoid another giant killing act. Mickleover Sports and Gresley Rovers have defeated the Robins in the last two seasons in a tournament Ilkeston had started to dominate in the late nineties.

Ilkeston started the brighter of the two teams with Mat McKenzie coming close on two occasions. However under strength Long Eaton United came back into the game and just after half-time took the lead when Simon Guilor scored a tremendous goal. After 68 minutes Ilkeston hit back and Leon Kelly broke away from the Long Eaton defence and crossed for Chris Freestone to score with a bullet header. Ten minutes later Kelly added a second after Mat McKenzie had headed back a Kelly freekick from the far post. With two minutes remaining Ilkeston looked to have sealed the tie when Emeka Nwadike played Anton Foster through to score with a well placed drive. But Long Eaton were not fimished and in the dying seconds ex Robin Dave King came on as sub and scored to keep the Ilkeston on their toes till the referee blew for full time.

Mat McKenzie had an excellent game at the back but the WhiteBallProject Man of the Match goes to Leon Kelly whose creative running had Long Eaton troubled the whole game.

Now Ilkeston are through to the quarter finals and may face an even stiffer test. Long Eaton are three levels below Ilkeston but impressed those present with their standard of play.

Other Derbyshire Senior Cup results:-

Alfreton Town 3 Ripley Town 0

Belper Town 1 Glapwell 1 (Belper won 5-4 on pens)

Matlock Town 5 Shirebrook Town 3

Mickleover Sports 3 Borrowash Victoria 0

Gresley Rovers 4 Buxton 0

FOND MEMORIES OF EARLY 90s AS PITCH IS WATERLOGGED

16th November 2002

"How deep is it? Dad"	The pitch is afloat	What pitch?

FIRST DEFEAT FOR BISHOP AS BRAVE ROBINS FALL 

9th November 2002

Ilkeston Town 0 Dover Athletic 1  Att 491 Dr Martens League Premier Division

Ilkeston line up:- 

Woolley closes in	Beckham clone cosed down	Debutant Heggs turns on the style

Ilkeston Town fielded new player/coach Carl Heggs who signed for the Robins this week after John Knapper returned to Alfreton Town. Heggs partnered Chris Freestone up front with Leon Kelly dropping back into midfield. 

Dover Athletic confirmed their status as promotion candidates by pressing Ilkeston with some neat passing in the early stages of the game. Gradually the Robins who adopted a more direct approach with Carl Heggs playing a prominent part in the best Ilkeston moves clawed their way back into the game and had a number of half chances to go ahead. Dover however continued to prove to be the more creative side without really troubling Matt Nurse. As Ilkeston were looking to go in at half time all square the inevitable happened and Dover scored. Nicky Dent held up a ball played to his feet his shot was blocked put fortuitously fell to the feet of Tommy Tyne who made no mistake from six yards.

Unlike Ilkeston sides of a month or so ago heads did not drop and after the break Dover were put under pressure as the Robins looked for an equaliser. Dover seemed content to sit back and protect their slender lead making little attempt to add to their lead. What Ilkeston lacked in style they made up for with passion and industry. Mat McKenzie and Barry Woolley came close from set pieces as the Robins dominated the second half. However the illusive break was not to come and Dover's needless professional time wasting antics were not needed.

Despite the defeat this was a positive performance from an energetic Ilkeston side. Dover are a good side and after Stafford one of the best seen at the New Manor Ground this season. Personally I think it was the best home league team performance I have seen this campaign. 

New signing Carl Heggs showed is now famous sartorial elegance and made his mark with a booking in the first half and an allround bustling display. Barry Woolley was again outstanding at the back and Matt Nurse looked secure but the WhiteBallProject Man of the Match goes to Ian Robinson who ran the midfield single handedly for much of the game.

Charlie Bishop will take some comfort from the nature of the performance and the fact that all the players picked today gave their all. Ilkeston's task is still of the uphill variety but at least they are playing with some pride. Better still was the backing of the home crowd who recognised the passion of the team and even found time to give the Dover keeper and referee a hard time. 

PLUCKY ROBINS GAIN FIRST AWAY POINT AGAINST LEADERS

2nd November 2002

Worcester City 0 Ilkeston Town 0  Att 1009 Dr Martens League Premier Division

Ilkeston line up:-