Ilkeston Line up:-

Ilkeston Town's manager Phil Stant continued to ring the changes as his injury hit squad travelled to Rugby United hoping to make progress in the Dr Martens League Cup. Stant introduced three new signings. Midfielder John Reed has played for Sheffield United, Peter Myers another midfielder has also played for Matlock Town and Frickley Athletic and forward Paul Hurrell has played for Frickley and is an ex Sheffield United trainee. Steve Coates has also returned from injury with Kristian Stephens returning to the bench.

Rugby who had beaten Ilkeston 4-0 at the New Manor Ground in the league started the stronger and took the lead when Jamie Williams scored after Darren Horrigan came for a ball but was caught in no man's land. After 36 minutes Ilkeston got back into the game when Chris Thompson (pictured left) was fouled in the box and debutant Paul Hurrell score from the spot. The goal that settled the game in the 55th minute when Joe Atkinson was robbed and from the resulting cross Nathan Thompson slotted the ball home.

The Robins came closest to getting a second goal when David Coulson headed just wide from a Fabian Smith free kick. Rugby however were always in control and comfortably saw out the rest of the tie without major incident.

WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - David Coulson - Composed and commanding at the back. David is a player with obvious potential.

The Dr Martens League Cup is not the highest priority of most teams but a cup run would have been nice after the recent run of results Ilkeston have endured. However the Robins were always second best in this encounter and the 2-1 scoreline was rather flattering. Manager Phil Stant is starting a mid season rebuilding job and it will take some time for the players to gel. 

What is much more important for Ilkeston at the moment is to get enough points in the league to keep them in touch with top teams so that when Stant gets a settled side they will be in a position make a push for a promotion place.

Last Saturday Ilkeston probably broke two records in the same game. We think the starting eleven against Swindon was the youngest Ilkeston have ever fielded with the average age being under 20 (captain Danny Holyoak is still only 19!) and by contrast when Phil Stant came on we are confident that he became the oldest player at 41 to ever play for Ilkeston Town. What is unique is that both these records were broken in the same game. If we are wrong I am sure somebody out there will correct us.