Rainworth Mw 1 - 4 Ilkeston Fc

The Signs where there

A very spirited second half performance against Loughborough Dynamo a week last Tuesday night seemed to be "too little too late" for the management duo of Billy Millar and Lee Wilkinson.

After discussions with the Chairman the only solution to Rainworth`s downward spiral seemed to be a fresh approach and tbh although the faith hadn`t been totally lost by the supporters the statistics were pointing towards this eventuality.


First of all it`s only right that we welcome Kevin Gee to the club and wish him well and every success in his new appointment and a big thanks to Billy Millar and coach Darren Kelk who have now left the club, it`s a shame things didn`t work out for them in the Evo-Stik.

Full credit to Kevin for asking Wilko to stay on as his assistant, not only has Lee got a wealth of knowledge about the squad but he has been a great servant to the club over the years, 'Club Captain' and one of the best sweepers I`ve seen in my long stint as a supporter, rightly so he opted to remain involved with the club he has called home for many seasons.

So Kev picks up the reigns and theoretically his first game is a mammoth task, 'League Leaders' v 'Bottom of the Pile'...!

Formed from the demise of 'Ilkeston Town' in 2010, the newly named club are off to a flyer and it looks as though their occupancy in the Evo1 South is no long term residence, major investors are back on board with some good solid sponsors and with manager Kevin Wilson and coach Darren Caskey secured on a long term basis it looks as though 'The Ilson' mean serious business once again.

Ilkeston has a rich footballing past and anyone interested in local footballing history should take a peek at Ilkeston`s history website, it lists all previous players and more impressively the quality of manager the club has attracted over the years which shows the level of commitment and ambition the club has been so lucky to enjoy in the past.

With the promise of a bumper crowd due to Mansfield Town not being in action today Dudsey and Mrs H set out a little low on expectancy yet hopeful of a good afternoon out, "but you never know with football".....!!

We arrive with only a couple of minutes to spare to kick-off, "the place is buzzing", a really good crowd has descended on Kirklington Road and what a great atmosphere, admittedly most of them are from down the A610 but it sure makes for a good day out, they`re 'Beered Up' and here to enjoy themselves and all in very good spirit.

The 'Media Circus' had already made Gary Ricketts well known to all in the Mansfield area and an unusually excessive police presence was in attendance but within ten minutes of the start the thirty six year old powerhouse was being hallowed for what he does best, "own the pitch", you simply have to see this man play to appreciate his worth to Ilkeston.

Ilkeston press on.

Danny Bacon looks better every time he turns out but for me Nathan Adams` very industrious performance for me took Rainworth`s plaudit given the fact he is very new addition to the squad.. Ricky Hanson had another solid game despite unfortunately getting Ilkeston`s game underway as the ball is deflected off the back of his head and into his own goal 0-1 after twenty five minutes.

Despite twenty teams separating these two today no-one supporting Ilkeston in the stand is dismissing the valiant display 'The Wrens' are putting on. Bacon and Adams are supplying the home supporters with some inner belief and another fine pass tee`s up a teasing ball to Ant Lynam who just fails to connect with it.

Ricketts and Thomas` advances are troublesome to say the least, 'The Big Man`s' presence in the box is nearing total dominance although Tommy Hannighan is pulling out all the stops to try and keep him at bay.

A neat cross from James Cullingworth finds Ricketts in enough space to unleash a pile-driving header beyond Joe McCormack and it`s 0-2.

Rainworth plugged away at it but the sheer strength and presence of 'Ilson`s front two was too much, Ricketts pushes a neat pass to the feet of Thomas who failed at his first attempt but made no mistake as 'afters' where offered. 0-3 within the dying seconds of the first half and it`s curtains for 'The Wren`s.

Mind your head Pal..!! It`s two for 'Ilson'

The second half gave Dudsey and Mrs H the chance to take a stroll round the ground to catch up with a few friends, the most noticeable event of a predictable second half was the withdrawal of Ricketts, 'The Gladiator' was given a well deserved ovation on his departure.

Rainworth managed a consolation goal via a Mark Camm header in the last ten minutes, although there was a hint of off-side (two yards worth), "it proper worries me when linesmen fail to this degree".

Thomas had already missed one sitter minutes earlier but made amends with five minutes left as he smoothed out the 'Icing on the cake'.

You`d be forgiven for thinking that the scoreline indicated a one-way traffic affair and despite the eventual result Rainworth gave a good account of themselves, playing with a confidence that has been amiss in previous outings but they were simply outgunned today by a team who converts chances with great aplomb.

One distinct difference separated the teams this afternoon.....Gary Ricketts!, this 'Wily Old Fox' has more in his locker than Evo-Stik 1 status; strength, presence, awareness and good old 'Gamecraft'.  Not to take anything away from Daryll Thomas` two goals but the man in the No9 shirt is the one who definitely makes 'The Ilson' tick and the fans love him...

Probably a case of bad timing for Kev Gee`s appointment but hopefully Tuesday night`s upcoming game against Leek Town will give the lads a chance to shine, "one thing for sure, they won`t have 'Mr Ricketts".


Attendance - 353