Chey Adams on one of his trademark runs (c) Craig Lamont Photography
Ilkeston: Smith, Wright, Maguire (c), Lane, Shaw, Wallace, Morgan, Chettle, Duffy, Richards, Adams
Rushall Olympic: Belford, Thompson, Martin, Heath, Duggan, Smith, Hildreth, Palmer, Williams, Rooney, Farrell
Attendance: 426
Prior to this game Ilkeston had never won a single point against Rushall so they knew today’s game was going to be great test for the young side. Ilkeston started brightly, passing the ball around well but too many times the moves broke down, noticeably when Duffy was involved. However the one time when Duffy would have been the ideal man with the ball was when a wonderful cross was put in from the right but Richards just wasn’t tall enough to be able to head the ball down on target.
Rushall weathered the Ilkeston storm for the first 20 minutes and then started to get on top. Smith came out to punch the ball away but his weak effort fell invitingly for Rushall but the shot was blocked. This was soon followed by an excellent volley from outside the area that crashed off the cross bar.
Rushall continued to play good football but the Ilkeston defence, particularly Wright who was winning everything in the air, where coping well with them. Ilkeston had a great chance to take the lead when Maguire got on the end of a corner but his header went just over. Rushall again pressed on and where now starting to find spaces behind the Robin’s defence.
The breakthrough came in the 35th minute and it was all Ilkeston’s own doing. They gave away a cheap free kick and then they failed to clear the ball leaving Williams with the chance to put the visitors ahead. They were nearly gifted a second goal 5 minutes later. Lane didn’t look up before hitting an attempted back pass straight to a Rushall forward but he failed to make the most of it and Ilkeston escaped.
HT: Ilkeston 0 Rushall 1
Kevin Wilson’s half time team talk must have been short and, probably, not so sweet. He was outside the changing rooms chatting with Steve Chettle for a good few minutes before the rest of the team came out for the second half. Whatever was said worked. Straight from the kickoff Duffy was denied by a double save from the Rushall keeper but a minute later Adams made a strong run, passed it to the feet of Duffy who neatly sidestepped his defender and slotted in the equaliser.
Ilkeston looked a different side. Adams was getting more into the game and Morgan had a volley that was just too high. Rushall responded but Wright, Maguire and Lane were providing a hard defensive line to breach.
In the 63rd minute Adams made another powerful run into this area, this time his cutback found Richards who scored with a crisp finish.
Duffy was then replaced by Tyrell Waite, the former Ilkeston player returning on loan from Notts County. Almost immediately he made an impact. A strong run into the box announced his arrival but his shot was blocked.
The Rushall keeper was by now getting very frustrated and clashed off the ball with Richards. He was lucky that this unseen by the officials as he had already been booked for kicking the ball away earlier when Ilkeston equalised. Unseen by the ref, but not by the vocal supporters who didn’t give him a moments peace for the rest of the match.
With less than 10 minutes to go Waite found himself in space but his powerful shot stung the keepers hands and went out for a corner.
Rushall continued to look menacing and Ilkeston nearly threw away their good work when, in stoppage time, two defenders collided with each other but the Rushall striker could only watch as his shot went agonizingly wide.
FT: Ilkeston 2 Rushall 1
Kane Richards plays it cools after scoring the winning goal (c) Craig Lamont Photography
A hard fought victory for Ilkeston who never gave up and finally got what they deserved. Akil Wright was outstanding in defence, it was good to see our strikers scoring again and Tyrell Waite looked exciting. The thought of the pace we could have with him, Kane Richards and Chey Adams up front is frightening. I don’t know if Waite is available for the FA Cup game on Saturday but fingers crossed he is. Oh yes, the FA Cup! Ilkeston are away at Stockport County on Saturday, a game that the players will be relishing, but they must not get distracted as they have an important away game at Barwell on Tuesday.
Not Just Geek Reviews Man Of The Match: Akil Wright
League Position: 4th
The Musings Of An Ilson Fan 