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Ilkeston Line up:-
1.
Turner 2.
Knowles 4. Swinscoe 5. Chettle 3. Jervis 7.
Hindley 8. Walshe 6. Lucas 11. Smith 10.
Copnell 9. Thompson Subs
Johnson
for Jervis 45 mins Formann
for Turner 45 mins Eshelby
for Thompson 45 mins Brewer
for Swinscoe 45 mins Palma
for Copnell 79 mins Copnell
for Formann 84 mins AN
Other for Knowles 88 mins
Ilkeston
started the game strongly and could have taken the lead after only four
minutes when Ryan Hindley found himself in space and his cross
was met by Paul Smith who saw his header well saved by Carl
Dryden. Two minutes later Chris Thompson put Hindley clear
again and his cross was almost converted by Stuart Copnell. Ilkeston
continued to have the best attacking moves and were again unfortunate
not to go in front when Stuart Copnell and Paul Smith were
both foiled in a frantic goalmouth scramble. On 21 minutes the dangerous
Ryan Hindley almost caught out Dryden with a wicked curling free
kick but the Notts custodian just managed to tip the ball over. Ilkeston
finally got their reward on 26 minutes when Chris Thompson was put
clear through and he coolly lobbed the advancing Dryden. The
impressive Steve Chettle was then very lucky to stay on the field
after he appeared to give Luke Bradshaw a slap around the face after a
late tackle. Referee Ray Gould sensibly just lectured both players
without taking further action. From the resulting
Steve Chettle free kick Ilkeston increased their lead when
Chris Thompson headed the ball over Dryden and against the
underside of the bar and into the net. Notts
County then had their best chance of the game when Chris Nurse was put
clean through only to see Ross Turner save bravely at his feet. Ilkeston
were still looking to increase their lead and when Stuart Copnell
outpaced two Notts defenders his shot was well saved by Dryden. The ball
fell to Chris Thompson who missed with the rebound. The visitors
where still trying to get back into the game and on the stroke of half
time Ross Turner did well to tip over a deflected shot. Ilkeston
made four substitutions at half time and Notts capitalised by reducing
the arrears when Mark Sherlock headed home from eight yards after 62
minutes. Despite the visitors starting to have more of the ball they
rarely looked like adding a second but even the Robins started to wilt
as the heat took its toll. More substitutions followed without any
significant shots on goal. Pascal Formann picked up a nasty
looking injury and had to be replaced by Steve Chettle in the
Robins goal after Ross Turner had got showered and dressed. Ross
looked good in matching cream tie and shirt but not as cool as the ex
Forest veteran Chettle who looked like he had spent most of his
career between the sticks. WhiteBallProject
Man of the Match - Steve
Chettle – Showed why he played shed loads of games at the highest
level. A lesson in coolness and sound defensive play.
This was another good performance by Ilkeston Town. Sporting their new kit they dominated the majority of the game against a very young Notts County side. Chettle was outstanding in defence but upfront Chris Thompson is starting to be a revelation. He was a constant problem for the Notts defence with his physical presence. What he has now added to his game is clinical finishing. Ryan Hindley also started to show why he is such a crowd favourite and Richard Lucas patrolled the hole in front of the defence mopping up supplying the creative players. What is most impressive so far is how the players are supporting each other and working as a team to overcome their opponents. If the Robins can maintain this form into the UniBind League Division One we should be in for an awesome season. Finally
a word of congratulations to the Notts County website commentator who
entertained the Clocktower Stand with his accurate and very enthusiastic
description of the game. If I was in charge of the BBC he would have a job
on Radio 5 in no time. |
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