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Injury
hit Ilson sink sad Radcliffe
8th
October 2005 - UniBond League Premier Division
Ilkeston
Town 3
Jervis
4
Jenkins
47
Gaunt
81
Radcliffe
Borough 1
O'Neill
Att
258
Ilkeston
Town :- Scott, Knowles, Jervis (Brewer 21), Gaunt, Swinscoe,
Holmes, Ludlam (Adam 75), Clifford, Goddard (Townsend 24), Jemson,
Jenkins
Radcliffe
Borough:- Priestley, Duffy, Whealing, Sampson, Barrass,
McGuire, Wilson, Brennan, Lomax (Heald 46), Foster (Morley 46),
O’Neill. Sub not used Kelly.
  Despite
the presence of the Radclffe chairman Bernard Manning Junior there
was little to laugh about for the visitors as Ilkeston recorded a
well earned victory which moved them further away from the
relegation zone. Caretakers managers Nigel Jemson and Craig
Gaunt restored David Jervis and Ryan Ludlam to the
starting line up and moved Craig Swinscoe to the centre of
defence to cover for the injured Colin Hoyle.
Radcliffe
adjusted to the early kick off better than the Robins and should
have took the lead in the first minute when they had a one on one
with Ben Scott. However the Ilkeston keeper continue
his excellent run of form and made an excellent save. After four
minutes Ilkeston struck back when Jervis exchanged passes
with Gareth Holmes and did the ball past Phil Preistley to
give the Robins the lead. The goal was a confidence booster for
Ilkeston who started to adapt to a new passing style.
The
visitors showed that they could still cause problems and after 12
minutes Carl Lomax was kept by another good save from Scott. At the
other Justin Jenkins was causing problems for the Radcliffe
defence and had two efforts kept out. Ilkeston suffered their first
injury blow when goalscorer Jervis collided with keeper Scott
knocking him unconscious. Three minutes later Mick Goddard
also had to limp off with an ankle injury. Substitute Gary
Townsend quickly had two chances to increase Ilkeston’s lead
but unfortunately he missed both of them.
After
the interval the Robins had the perfect tonic when on 47 minutes Townsend
provided an excellent cross for Jenkins to score with a
delightful looping header.
Radcliffe
finally started to get their game together and it was no surprise
when they pulled a goal back. Tony Whealing got in a cross which
eluded the Ilkeston defence shaved the bar and fell to Matt
O’Neill who scored with an header from an awkward angle.
Radcliffe
now began to push forward looking for an equaliser as Ilkeston
started to look very tired. Scott had to make a series of
important saves one being from Ilkeston substitute Adam. Just
as the Ilkeston fans were waiting to what they thought was going to
be inevitable equaliser the Robins went 3-1 up. On 81 minutes Gaunt
got on the end of a wicked Adam corner at the far post and
stooped low to direct his header into the Radcliffe net.
However
the visitors still had not given up and in added time Scott
made yet another important save and then Jemson cleared the
rebound off the line.
WhiteBallProject
Man of the Match - Craig
Gaunt – Excellent defensive display rounded off with a goal.
Just pipped Scott, Jenkins and Holmes.
Ilkeston
needed to bounce back after there midweek defeat against Prescott
Cables and they did just that with some style. Managers Jemson
and Gaunt employed a passing game with Jemson playing
just behind the two strikers. This tactic worked well and Jemson
had his most effective game for some time. Added to the tactical
changes was the fact that the players worked extremely hard
particularly Holmes and Clifford in midfield. Clifford
was harshly booked near full time but it is worrying that he has
booked in every game he ahs played since his return from suspension.
Overall
an excellent boost for the Robins who now take a break from league
action to entertain Blackwell Miners Welfare in the Derbyshire
Senior Cup and local rivals Gresley Rovers in the FA Trophy. These
game represent one of the Robins last chance of cup success this
season.
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