Other than local grounds Dudsey had vowed not to travel too much this season, but a revisit to 'The New Manor Ground' is too much of a temptation.The last time I was here was back in the 2000/1 season when a young keeper by the name of 'Hales' signed by Chris Marples was out to make his name in non-league football and in the absence of Ally Barcherini he`s back to enjoy the atmosphere at the NMG.
I really had forgot what a cracking set up they have here, from the clock tower to the elevated stand you have to admit this place is a fine setting for an afternoon of football and it sure is a treat for the away fans who make the journey to Awsworth Road.
As much as the locals dispute that 'The Robins' are a bigger club than Step 4 and size wise they definitely are, it looks as though Grantham Town are out to steal the show this season.
Rainworth`s line-up looks a little toothless upfront again for me, the play-makers 'The Wrens' have sorely missed in recent weeks are lining the bench and Dudsey`s left scratching his head. Why on earth would a team who have one of the best defensive records in the league who`s only Nemesis has been lack of goals start a game with their best three goal-scorers on the bench...?
No such problems with 'The Robins' strike-force and all expectations will be for Ricketts, Thomas and Sam Duncam to produce the goods and hopefully assert some pressure on Grantham`s title surge.
The New Manor Ground - Step 4 Paradise
The game gets off to a cracking start on very slick surface heavily watered prior to the start of the game and Rainworth are left pinching themselves, Danny Bacon rattles the crossbar in the first five minutes and 'The Wrens' are given the luxury of a second chance but Niall O`Rafferty only manages to loft it over the bar from close range.
A fine start and although chances are being created by the visitors too many of the early opportunities are going adrift as the ball is lashed forward to no-one. Romaine Graham is pulling up trees down the right-hand side but constantly pushes it too far and ends up losing possession.
Matt Richards and Laurie Wilson are driving the mid-field battle for 'The Robins` and Rainworth`s defence have their eye fixed firmly on the dominant Ricketts but Camm, Cooksey, Kennedy and Rob Paling seem to have things under control.
Ricketts is forced to do a little defending
A good contingent have congregated behind Hales` goal and are giving him and the defenders a good old ear-bending but all in very good spirit. ("this place is magic").
Mark Camm is excellent in his Sweeper role, his experience of playing at a higher level serves him well, high on the adrenalin of the atmosphere created by the 431 strong crowd, he`s revelling in it.
Sooner or later against teams like Ilkeston you are inevitably going to have to absorb some spells of pressure, Duncam is slowly finding his feet (this lad has it all), persistently wriggling his way down the left flank he`s getting in deep behind the Rainworth defence with Ricketts and Thomas jostling it out in the box.
Duncam (11) and Ricketts (9) look on as Watts makes a charge
The scales are slowly starting to tip in the home-sides favour, a wave of free kicks ensue and Rainworth are starting to get pushed more and more into their own half, the crowd are expecting the dead-lock to be broken, and to be honest it`s looking that way.
Rainworth make the odd break down the right, Rob Paling is feeding Ryan Goward who is pushing on, threading in some decent crosses but the front men are failing to make anything of it
Ilkeston 'Up the Ante' and it`s time to defend
We enjoy conversation with some of 'Ilsons' faithful, there`s a good mix.... 'The Beer Warriors' are all behind the goal and the less vocal are shoulder to shoulder down the side-lines, they love their footie here and are a good honest crowd who appreciate the visitors efforts. A charming old chap is to our left and thinks that 'The Wrens' have had the better of the first half but clearly he`s here to cheer on his beloved 'Robins'.
Within minutes our friend get`s to see what he`s come for, Duncam has switched to the right and drives in a lovely cross, the defenders are pouring their attention on the menacing figure of Ricketts only for Thomas to whip across the six yard area from right to left fizzing the ball off his head into the top right and corner. Nice goal and a little harsh on the lads, but it`s 1-0 at half time and the sprinklers are back on!!.
Ilkeston`s dug-out has the edge at half-time
With the goal advantage Ilkeston came out for the second half as you`d expect, full of confidence and looking to capitalise, and in the main they had the lions share of play in the opening the minutes of the second half, Matt Richards (who for me was Ilkeston`s best player of the second-half), dinks a ball into the box and Rob Paling could do little to stop it catching his arm, despite his plea`s with the Ref the penalty is awarded.
The No 4 picks up the ball and carries it to the spot, the crowd are well and truly on Halesy`s back, Wilson picks his spot, Hales choose`s to go right but he`s beaten with a rocket just to the left of centre.
Laurie Wilson converts, 2-0.
Two-nil and it`s all uphill from here...Rainworth`s reply is to load the guns after the battle has ended, on comes Adams and Glass immediately after the goal and 'Hey-Presto' the visitors have the 'Robins' on the back foot, the locals are quick to notice Adams and Glass` ability, "this kid can play football" utters one of the Ilkeston fans with regard to Adams, Yep...I see that and you see that...!!
Glass sneaks in down the right, feeds the ball towards Adams, he slots it home and it looks like we have a game on our hands...or not..!! the linesman has his flag aloft and I fail to see at what point he deemed Nathan to be off-side along with agreement of the locals.
Matt Glass injects some life into Rainworth`s second-half.
Rainworth`s front pairing continue to push but the balance of power starts to swing back in favour of the home-side, Tyrell Waite and Will McCall`s fresh legs have 'The Wrens' on the back foot again, Hales makes a brilliant save from the foot of Wilson and then again from McCall
Gary Ricketts heads the ball into the net in the dying minutes but again the linesman`s flag is up for a foul in the box, the Ilkeston bench seem enraged by his decision and boss Kevin Wilson has no qualms about letting the official know his feelings, the ref has a word and calm is restored. Full-time, and it finishes 2-0.
Rainworth have one last push but it`s too late
Despite coming away empty-handed, the lads should come away from this one not feeling beaten but a tad unlucky on the day, Ilkeston are a strong side with strength and depth in all area`s including on the bench, a luxury the bigger clubs can afford.
Ilkeston are a club with a great history and ambitions to return to a higher level understandably, the fans are a decent bunch, they make you feel welcome, and despite regular large crowds they have display no aggression to visiting teams or supporters and have no "Potty Mouths", they just come to enjoy a day out at the club they love and for very selfish reasons I hope they stay in this league for at least one more season.
A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon out at what is Step 4`s premium venue in my opinion as a travelling fan.
My Men of the Match - Rainworth ; Mark Camm and for Ilkeston; Sam Duncam.
Admission - £7
Attendance - 431
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