Ilkeston Line up:-

1. Turner

2. Knowles 5. Swinscoe 4. Chettle 3. Jervis

11. Eshelby  6. Walshe 8. Johnson  7. Smith

9. Copnell 10. Jemson

Subs

13. Adam for Eshelby 53 mins

12. Jenkins for Copnell 55 mins

14. Hindley for Johnson 60 mins

Yellow Cards  Chettle 38 mins

Red Cards None

Debutants None

Ilkeston Town manager Phil Stant rung the changes after the midweek draw at Stocksbridge Park Steels. Stuart Copnell and Craig Swinscoe (pictured left) were given their first starts of the season replacing Justin Jenkins and Mark Lever and Steve Johnson returned to the midfield with Ryan Hindley relegated to the bench.

Ilkeston started their first ever match against Clitheroe strongly and had the home side pinned in their own half. In fact Clitheroe seemed happy to get men behind the ball and defend in depth right from the kick off. Richens in the home side's goal had plenty of work to do and made some excellent saves. After 13 minutes he saved at the feet of Stuart Copnell after he had been put through by Nigel Jemson and five minutes he had to be on his toes to save a twenty yard effort from Liam Walshe. On 24 minutes Richens was again in action when Nigel Jemson headed in at the far post after a cross by Paul Smith and five minutes later he made his best save of the game when he reacted brilliantly to save a bullet near post header from Nigel Jemson after yet another cross from Paul Smith.

It was not until after 32 minutes that Clitheroe had their first serious attack on goal when Liam Walshe lost the ball in midfield and the dangerous McDonald broke away but saw his shot blocked by the Ilkeston defence. Two minutes later the same player McDonald forced Ross Turner to make a good save and ultimately this was the last save Turner had to make in the game.

After the break Nigel Jemson came close with a free kick which he curled round the wall but went just wide of the post. the game turned after Chris Adam came on to replace Paul Eshelby. On 54 miutes Paul Smith crossed low to the far post where a Clitheroe defender went to clear the ball but only succeeded in hitting it against Chris Adam and into the net giving the Ilkeston player a goal with his first touch. 

Clitheroe then started to play a bit more positively but were kept at bay by an Ilkeston defence expertly marshalled by the impressive Steve Chettle. Clitheroe's best chance came after 68 minutes when substitute Barker broke through and tried to lob Ross Turner but ballooned his effort over the bar.

WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - Steve Chettle (pictured below) – Another excellent display of outstanding defensive and ledership.

Ilkeston Town picked up another three points from a performance that was still someway below their best. Their job was made somewhat easier by the incredibly negative approach of the opposition and only when Ilkeston took the lead did Clitheroe start to show any invention.

Steve Chettle was once again outstanding and was ably supported by Craig Swinscoe. Many observers believe that Swinscoe and  Chettle provide a more balanced defensive partnership than Lever and Chettle who do very similar jobs. In midfield Paul Smith and Liam Walshe impressed yet again and Nigel Jemson was yet again in the thick of the action upfront.

The win puts the Robins into fourth place as they prepare to face local rivals Eastwood Town in what should be a true test of Ilkeston Town's progress this season. We may see the same Ilkeston side start on Monday but with Richard Lucas back from suspension there may be changes in midfield.

The game against Eastwood Town on 30th August kicks off at 3pm nd is at ome not away as insinuated in the Derby Evening Telegraph last week.