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Ilkeston Line up:- 1.
Turner 2.
Knowles 4. Lever 5. Gaunt
3. Lucas 7.
Smith 8. Johnson 6. Walshe
11. Jervis 9.
Goddard 10. Jemson Subs 12.
Copnell for Goddard
69 mins Subs not used 14. Davies 15. Jenkins Yellow Card Goddard 44 mins
Workington were boasting a seven point lead at the top of the UniBond League Premier Division and in the early stages they put Ilkeston under pressure. Ross Turner (pictured left) made a number of outstanding saves notably from Ian Arnold and his own full back Richard Lucas who almost inadvertently headed a ball towards his own goal.
The Robins were more than holding their own having chances themselves to take the lead and it was no surpise when the impressive Mick Goddard latched on to a long ball rounded the keeper and passed to Nigel Jemson to score with a well placed low drive after 42 minutes.
After the break Workington thought they were back in the game when Gary Cohen outjumped the Ilkeston defence to head home Graham Goulding's right wing cross. However Ilkeston were not yet finished and Steve Johnson put the Robins back in front after 75 minutes when he scored from close range after a goalmouth scramble.
The home side then started to put Ilkeston under serious pressure as they strove for a second equaliser but the Robins held firm and two minutes from time substitute Stuart Copnell broke clear and scored at the second attempt to put the game beyond doubt. Ilkeston ran out worthy winners and in the process condemned Workington to their heaviest defeat of the season and secured a place in the next round of the League Cup where they have been drawn away to Whitby Town. WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - Nigel Jemson (pictured below) – Another excellent performance from a player who is now showing why he is a class act.
Workington did not field a weakened side and did play to win but on the day Ilkeston clicked and despite missing several key players like Craig Swinscoe, Ryan Hindley and Mark Clifford they managed to comprehensively beat the best placed side in the whole UniBond League.
Whitby Town will provide another stern test but Ilkeston could not wish for a more scenic location to further their League Cup adventure. The Turnbull Ground brings back back many happy memories for the WhiteBallProject and I can still remember watching a certain Phil Stant turning out for Notts County in a pre season many moons ago.
The management will be hoping that the win will boost Ilkeston's confidence for the tough league games they have over the holiday period. On Boxing day if the weather permits Eastwood Town will be a very tricky encounter and then we face Belper Town who although struggling in theleague have recently beaten Ilkeston in the Derbyshire Senior Cup.
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Ilkeston
Town made the long trip to the Cumbrian coast via Kendal with new
signing Mick Goddard making hi debut, Ross Turner
returning in goal and Paul Smith replacing the vacationally challenged Ryan
Hindley. Richard Lucas moved to left back and David Jervis
was pushed up into midfield.