Ilkeston Line up:-

1. Turner

2. Davies 4. Swinscoe 5. Chettle 3. Lucas

7. Hindley  6. Walshe 9. Clifford 8. Smith 11. Adam

10. Jemson

Subs

12. Knowles for Walshe 67 mins

14. Copnell for Davies 81 mins

Sub not used 15. Lever

Yellow Cards

Jemson 20 mins 

Davies on the run	Walshe gets stuck in	Ilson under pressure

Ilkeston Town welcomed AFC Telford to the New Manor Ground by reshuffling their team. Alan Davies moved to right back to replace Darren Knowles who was relegated to the bench. Liam Walshe returned from injury to take up his place in midfield and Nigel Jemson (pictured left) also made his return after falling out of favour to play as the lone striker. 

Watched by a crowd of 538 Ilkeston’s second highest of the season the game started at a high pace and both sides made numerous chances. It was end to end stuff and the inevitable happened on 12 minutes when the visitors took the lead. A defensive mix up gave Kyle Perry enough time to bring the ball under control and pick his spot. One minute later Ilkeston drew level. The lively Ryan Hindley ran at the Telford defence took the ball inside and unleashed a powerful shot which Ian Simms did well to parry. The ball fell to Mark Clifford who reacted quickly to slot the ball past the despairing dive of Simms. 

The game continued to be played at a very high tempo with exciting attacking play from both sides. Paul Smith came close for Ilkeston after 27 minutes when he got on the end of good work by Chris Adam. Ilkeston were now staring to get the upper edge and they took the lead when Paul Smith crossed the ball to the far post where Chris Adam scored with a well placed header.

After the break the game continued to be played at breakneck speed with Ilkeston starting to get the best of the chances. Chris Adam had a good effort cleared by the back of a defender after 52 minutes and a minute later the ball was deflected away from the head of Steve Chettle as he looked to get on the end of a cross. Telford were still looking dangerous and Ross Turner was called on to make a good save after Paul Smith had given the ball away after an Ilkeston short corner.

Ilkeston were dominating proceedings but Telford had chances as they pressed forward for an equaliser Sean Parrish came close with an acrobatic effort on the hour and Allan Davies had to be on his toes to clear the ball away after Richard Lucas had been caught in possession.

Ilkeston continued to create chances of their own and Ryan Hindley forced Ian Simms in to an excellent save with an explosive volley from twenty yards out. Nigel Jemson then tried a long range speculative effort from the half way line which went just wide. 

Liam Walshe limped off to be replaced by Darren Knowles and Telford then started to get back into the game. Ross Turner made an excellent save from Kyle Perry at the far post and then with ten minutes the Ilkeston defence failed to clear a Telford free kick and Kyle Perry pounced to equalise for the visitors. Five minutes later Alfie Carter beat the Ilkeston off side trap but was denied a goal by a brilliant save from Ross Turner and then Kyle Parry again broke clear but shot wide. After 88 minutes Perry then missed an open goal after Alfie Carter has dispossessed Steve Chettle on the right. With only a matter of seconds left of time added on Telford finally got their winner. The ball was lobbed into the area and it seemed to bobble around for an eternity before Damien Charie nudged the ball over the line and send the large visiting contingent into ecstasy. Perversely enough the drama was not quite over and Chris Adam had a shot well saved by Ian Simms before Mr Clyde finally blew his whistle

WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - Mark Clifford (pictured below) – Johnny on the spot with the equaliser and a great all round performance.