Ilkeston Line up:-

1. Robinson

2. Knowles 4. Swinscoe  5. Lever 3. Jervis

7. Hindley 8. Laws 6. Walshe  11. Eshelby

10. Thompson  9. Freestone 

Subs

12. Stant P for Thompson 72 mins

14. O'Connor for Hindley 75 mins

15. Johnson for Eshelby 90 mins

Subs not used 16. Holyoak and 17. Atkinson

Yellow Cards none

Red Cards none

Debuts none

Thommo scored seconds later!	Eshelby attacks	Laws on a silky run

Ilkeston Town welcomed back Liam Walshe (pictured left) into midfield after being cup tied in midweek but Steve Johnson was only fit enough for the bench. Up front Chris Thompson made it into the starting line up after scoring against Matlock Town.

Ilkeston started the game very brightly and could have taken the lead when Marc Laws put through Paul Eshelby who unfortunately shot into the side netting. the Robins were playing some of their best football o0f the season and were completely dominating Solihull Borough who still have a chance of automatic promotion.

On 33 minutes Ilkeston finally took the lead when Paul Eshelby corner fell to Liam Walshe whose shot was blocked. The ball then reached Ryan Hindley but his fine strike was well saved by Mark Gayle in the Borough goal only for the ball to fall for Chris Thompson (pictured below) to hammer the ball home. Just before the break Ryan Hindley almost Ilkeston two up but he shot narrowly wide.

Straight after the interval Solihull finally found their shooting boots and Dan Robinson was forced to make two excellent saves from Paul Hunter and Nick Amos. Minutes later Martin Hier got in a good position but missed the target when it looked easier to score. Despite this early possession Solihull could not break down a resolute Ilkeston defence. 

The game developed into a dour midfield struggle with few efforts on goal. Paul Eshelby and Craig Swinscoe had two fine efforts saved and Ryan Hindley had a couple of speculative long range shots. For Solihull Nikki Preston came closest when he headed over with ten minutes to go. Ilkeston however held out to record another impressive home result.

WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - Liam Walshe - Outstanding in the first half and pretty steady in the second..

Solihull Borough came to the New Manor Ground with a chance of moving onto the top seven and securing automatic promotion but it was Ilkeston who looked the team with the greater desire. In the first half the Robins played as well as they have all season with Liam Walshe dominating the midfield. Unfortunately after the Ilkeston had taken the lead and had their half time break they took their foot off the gas and Solihull Borough were unfortunate not to get back into the game. Eventually Solihull also ran out of steam in the sweltering conditions and the game petered out with Ilkeston winning all three points. 

Manager Phil Stant will be making his list of those players who he wishes to keep at the New Manor Ground and with two games some players must still have a chance of impressing. Man of the Match Liam Walshe must be a player who Ilkeston will be hoping will quickly put pen to paper and if Dan Robinson is asked to stay next season Ilkeston will with a fit again Ross Turner have two excellent goalkeeping prospects. I would also look to keep Craig Swinscoe, Aaron O'Connor, Chris Thompson, Darren Knowles, Ryan Hindley, Steve Johnson, Tony Brown and Marc Laws. Other players in the squad still have to prove to many fans whether they will be worth their place but much will depend on budgets and the players Phil Stant and Ernie Oliver have said they are looking to bring in.

The summer could be a very interesting time at the New Manor Ground.

Freestone heads for goal	Gayle saves for Boro	Gqyle foils Thommo