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Ilson
hand out late Xmas present to Lincoln
2nd
January 2006 - Unibond League Premier Division
Ilkeston
Town 1
Muller
66
Lincoln
United
2
McDaid
73
Roche
78
Att
442
keston
Town
:-
Scott, Smith, Jervis, Gaunt, Hoyle, Brewer, Clifford, Ludlam
(Townsend 50), Goddard (Swinscoe 79), Jemson, Holmes Sub not used
Knowles.
Ilkeston
Town
paraded on loan striker
Adam Muller for the first home game of 2006 hoping to get three
points to lift them out of the relegation zone. Nigel Jemson
confined himself to the role of manager and Craig Swinscoe came in
to replace Rick Brewer and John Burns came back from
injury to replace Ryan Ludlam.
Ilkeston
started the game brightly but it soon became clear that Lincoln
United had come to defend and the Robins found themselves up against
a side that were content to pull every one behind the ball. Despite
this in the first half Ilkeston had a number of chances to break the
deadlock but were thwarted by a well organised defence and sheer bad
luck as Lincoln United survived several goalmouth scrambles. In fact
just before half time the Robins hit the post hit the post as the
visitors goal led a charmed life.
After
the break The Robins continued to pres forward and Craig Gaunt
shot over after 49 minutes. The Robins finally scored after 66
minutes when Mark Clifford played a clever one two with Gary
Townsend and then fed debutant Muller who coolly slotted
the ball under the body of the advancing Lincoln United keeper
Gareth Jones.
The
Ilkeston faithful were expecting the Robins to build on their lead
but against the run of play Lincoln United equalised when Ilkeston
failed to clear a corner an Miller bundled the ball into the path of
McDaid at the far post who forced the ball home.
Ilkeston
responded positively and Jones the Lincoln keeper was forced to make
an excellent save from Burns and then Townsend headed against
the angle of cross bar and post.
Lincoln
were also adopting a more
positive approach and on 75 minutes they nearly scored when a cross
evaded defenders and attackers alike as the ball sped across the
area. However just three
minutes later Ilkeston committed football suicide when Paul Smith
gained possession in midfield and played a back pass directly to
Roche who rounded the despairing dive of Ben Scott to give Lincoln
the lead.
The
Robins made a number of substitutions but their play became more
ragged as the game wore on. The closest Ilkeston came to gaining a
share of the points was when David Jervis fed Townsend
who crossed the ball to Burns who acrobatically shot straight
at the keeper.
When
the final whistle went the Ilkeston fans generously clapped the
defeated team off the pitch.
WhiteBallProject
- Man of the Match
– Adam Muller – an Impressive debut capped by a goal.
Shown that he has the class to be a star at the New Manor Ground.
For
the second game running Ilkeston Town were beaten by a side that
were not as good as the Robins. Ilkeston should have won both games
and the reasons they did not are starting to become a real concern.
Defensive blunders are costing the team dear and when they occur the
confidence can be seen draining out of the players.
It
is almost as if the team start to panic if anything goes wrong. The
team need a confidence booster desperately, Whether this comes in
the form of fresh blood or changes in the personnel already at the
club remains to be seen.
However
relegation is starting to look almost inevitable as Ilkeston
continue to lose against teams they have to beat to stay in the
Premier Division.
On
Saturday Ilkeston take a break from league action when they travel
to Lincolnshire to take on Goole AFC in the Presidents Cup. A break
in the form of an away win would be welcome but what the Robins
really are three points.
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