Ilkeston Line up:-

Manager Phil Stant (pictured left) was forced to make four changes to the side that picked up a late point at home to Cirencester last week. Ross Turner replaced Darren Horrigan whose loan spell has ended. Fellow loanee David Coulson was also recalled by Lincoln City but was replaced by the fit again Mark Lever. Danny Holyoak was missing with flu but Tony Brown recovered from a chipped bone in his foot to fill in at the back. John Burns returned after attending his fathers 60th birthday party in Dublin with Liam Walshe making way.

Ilkeston had the perfect start when Chris Freestone capitalised on panic created in the Mangotsfield defence after Michael Lyons ran at them before seeing his shot parried by Mallessa in the home teams goal. Freestone pounced to force home the rebound to put Ilkeston 1-0 up.  After 30 minutes Freestone nearly scored his second after another mix up in the Mangotsfield defence. However his shot was cleared off the line. He only had to wait another ten minutes before scoring when Tony Brown's long ball was mishandled by Malessa and Freestone was on hand to direct the ball into an empty net.

After the interval Ilkeston continued to pour forward and after 54 minutes Chris Freestone completed his hat trick when he ran clear of the defence and scored after beating the home sides woeful off side trap. On 72 minutes Mangotsfield finally made their mark when Seal scored at the far post. Freestone however finally killed all  thoughts of a comeback when he headed home a Graham Lewis cross at the far post. The Robins defence started to tire towards the end and Pitcher got a second for Mangotsfield with 15 minutes remaining to make it 4-2

WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - Chris Fresstone - Four goals and it was almost five. a performance sure to please his critics behind the goal.

After promising to open their winning account Ilkeston finally delivered the goods with their first double of the season. The victory was even sweeter for the fact that it was Chris Freestone who was the stare of the show. Persistently criticised by a section of the home crowd last week he provided the perfect riposte. Fans must realise Chris is a goalscorer and his record at Ilkeston is second to none. Well done! Chris. Phil Stant seems to have created an excellent midfield partnership in John Burns and Michael Lyons. A measure of the duos stature that Marc Laws Ilkeston's best player under Charlie Bishop cannot get back into the side. Could it be that the Robins have turned the corner and are now heading back up the table?

On Saturday Ilkeston entertain Gloucester City a team below the Robins. A team that we should be able to beat despite the fact they have games in hand on those around them.