Heanor Town

The Town Ground, home of Heanor Town based in Derbyshire and play their football in Step 5 of the Non League Pyramid in the United Counties League Premier Division North. Nicknamed the “Lions” with one appearing on the club crest.

Tonight they face newly promoted Step 3 side Ilkeston Town who make the short journey up the road to the Town Ground. Let’s hope it’s a Pre-Season cracker! Onto the M1, onto the A38 and into the ground in good time for kick off!

£6 to watch this pre-season tie… And I’m here again at a non league ground without cash… When will I ever learn my lesson? I’m back with the cash and I am in the ground! Beer garden is all set up nicely that’s for sure! They have their priorities right here at Heanor!

Kick Off! 3 minutes in and Ilkeston play down the left, it’s played across low to Gibson who slides in… Good hand! Keeper tips it over for a corner, played short and Thomas charges towards goal… But he’s run it just out of play and it’s a goal kick.

“Da da dadada dadadada Heanor!” A few young lads in here tonight with a drum and are trying to create an atmosphere here tonight! Keep it going lads!! 14th minute and Heanor come forward, Sleigh is played through here and he’s in on goal… He’s been brought down there! Penalty! Absolute stone wall! Tom Hilton the trialist for Ilkeston brings Sleigh down and he was the last man there… He’s walking! No choice for the Referee there… Is that the end of his trial? Sleigh steps up… And he smashes it home!! Heanor lead! 1-0! Ilkeston down to 10 men already… Will that prove to be costly?

“Heanor Town! Heanor Town!” The Heanor boys are loving life at the moment with their team in the lead. 22 minutes gone now and Ilkeston have it on the left now with Ollie Brown-Hill and he charges into the box… He’s hacked down to the floor and that must be! It is! Penalty to Ilkeston! Referee gets it spot on again there… No pun intended! It’s Gibson to step up… And he rolls it in! It’s 1-1!

35th minute of the game and Ilkeston have a free kick from around 30 yards out in a crossing position, Kieran Fenton goes for goal… And he’s hit the bar! It comes down and it comes to Bradley to shoot… Keeper parries it away and Heanor clear.

2 minutes later and Ilkeston work it forward, it’s played through to Remaye Campbell and he’s in… He pokes it past the keeper! Ilkeston have the lead!!! The 10 men have hit back! 1-2!

1 minute later and Heanor play a long ball forward, it comes to Daley in the box on the left and he goes for goal on the half volley… Keeper parries it away but only to Greenham for Heanor! What a block that is from the Ilkeston defence! Heanor there looking certain to equalise but Ilkeston clear the danger! Heanor continue to pile on the pressure but at half time it remains 2-1 to Ilkeston.

Second half, a slow start… Let’s hope it improves! 55th minute and Ilkeston play down the left, it comes to Ollie Brown-Hill just outside the box to shoot… Blocked but it comes back to him again to shoot… Blocked again but he goes for it again… He gets there first and he’s brought down! Penalty! Absolutely sandwiched there by 2 Heanor defenders and it’s the day of the Penalties! That is 3 Penalties given tonight but all of them were certainties, will they all be scored though? It’s Alex Troke… And he scores!! Good Penalty! 1-3!

3 minutes later and it’s Ilkeston come forward again, it’s played to Ben O’Hanlon in the box on the left to shoot… Keeper parries and it comes to Ollie Brown-Hill… He can’t control it but it falls to number 16… Who volleys it home!! The trialist scores and Ilkeston have scored FOUR with 10 men! 1-4!

60th minute and Heanor have the ball with their defence midway in their own half, a late challenge there by Ilkeston just after the ball is played long and Rourke is going to get there first… But no! The Referee has brought it back for the free kick… Heanor are furious! I would be too! The Referee has apologised… He knows he should’ve waited that split second longer there! The free kick is taken and comes to nothing…

75 minutes now and Heanor are started to come forward a lot more now, will they add another? They have a corner, in it comes… It falls for Hall just inside the box and he shoots… Keeper saves!

84th minute and Heanor have a free kick on the right near the corner flag, in it comes… It’s headed back across to Thornberry who chests it and goes for goal on the volley with the outside of his right foot… OH FANTASTIC!! It’s in off the bar! That is a brilliant goal!! Heanor have deserved that on the balance of play! 2-4!

89 minutes now and Ilkeston have a corner, in it comes… Keeper punches away but Ilkeston win it back on the right wing, it’s crossed in towards Montel Gibson with the header… Over! The Referee blows for full time! Not bad for a Pre-Season game!

FT: Heanor Town 2-4 Ilkeston Town

Ratings

• Atmosphere: 3/10 – The young lads gave it a good go! It was never going to be too loud with just a few of them but it did disappear in the second half. Ilkeston fans weren’t too bad, you could definitely tell there was a crowd here tonight as they turned up in their numbers.
• The Ground: 5/10 – It’s a very good summer ground! I like the 2 stands and the view from the ground entrance with the Church in the background but there isn’t too much else here unfortunately… The stand behind the goal is good with the benches but with the ones behind not elevated and with big crowds in like tonight, restricted views can happen…
• Expense: 10/10 – £6, next to no fuel with 6 goals, a red card and 3 Penalties? Thank you!
• Overall Experience: 8/10 – I quite enjoyed tonight!! Very eventful game!

26/40