|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
Ilkeston Line up:- 1. Turner 2.
Knowles 4.
Swinscoe 5.
Lever 3. Jervis 7.
Hindley
6. Lucas
9. Walshe
8.
Smith 10.
Jemson Subs
12. Jenkins
for Hindley 60 mins 14. Eshelby for Adam 60 mins 15. Johnson for Walshe 64 mins
The teams returned to the fray but it took until the forty seventh minute before the game came to life. Darren Knowles sent over a deep cross which was headed into the path of Paul Smith (pictured left) by Nigel Jemson. Smith coolly slotted the ball home from six yards out to give the Robins the lead. Willenhall nearly equalised just four minutes later but Nigel Jemson was on hand to head the ball off the line. The visitors pressed forward and the Robins survived another scare when keeper Ross Turner dropped the ball. Manager Phil Stant tried to pep up Ilkeston by introducing a double substitution with Justin Jenkins and Paul Eshelby replacing Ryan Hindley and Chris Adam. Four minutes later Steve Johnson also came on to replace Liam Walshe. The changes did not stop Willenhall enjoying the majority of the possession and on 65 minutes they came close after an excellent passing move but the resulting header was just over the bar. The impressive Paul Smith had a shot well saved after 68 minutes but the match officials again stole the show by dismissing the Willenhall Town manager from the bench. The visitors the started to lose a bit of discipline and Nigel Jemson in particular was the target of some very heavy tackles. As time started to run out for the visitors Ilkeston had three good chances to increase their lead. Paul Eshelby fed Justin Jenkins but he shot well over from eight yards out and then Nigel Jemson was put in by Justin Jenkins but he too shot over. In the dying seconds Paul Smith was put clear but although his shot beat the keeper it also beat the right hand post.
WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - Paul Smith- Yet another excellent display from Paul Smith in a very average team performance.
Ilkeston Town can count themselves very unfortunate to win this game as for much of the game they were second best to a very combative Willenhall Town team. The visitors enjoyed most of the possession particularly in the second half but were unable to convert this into clear cut chances. Ilkeston defended stoutly and really ought to have increased their lead when they missed a number of excellent chances late in the game. On the whole three points are three points and it is a well known cliche that if you are playing poorly and still winning it is the sign of being a good team. Everone who watched Tuesday nights game certainly hopes that is the case.
|
|||||||||
