New Manor Ground, home of Ilkeston Town based in Derbyshire and compete in Step 4 of the non league pyramid in the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands. Nicknamed the “Robins” as the club plays in Red & White. It’s third time lucky for this club after they have twice previously folded but here they are again! Could they one day reach the heights of Step 2 once again like they had before? Chasetown the visitors today.
Off to Sheffield station and now for the short journey to Ilkeston. Now for the lovely walk down the Erewash Canal! And finally here we are! Free Entry into this one! Thank you Ilkeston! Great gesture from the club and not just for today but for the next home game as well!
Into the bar and like Newquay, the club has it’s own brewed beer! Robins Lager! Don’t mind if I do!! 3pm looms, but first we remember the young man who sadly lost his life doing what he loved… RIP Dylan Rich.
Kick Off! “Come on Ilkeston!” Ilkeston fans in fine voice so far! Chance for Ilkeston straight away, Remaye Campbell is played through… He hits it well wide and it rolls out to the left hand side for Chasetown to clear.
“Ilkeston till I die! I know I am I’m sure I am! I’m Ilkeston till I die!” Still going strong from the Ilkeston fans! 7th minute now and Ilkeston have a free kick on the half way line, it’s lumped forward into the box, Billy Bennett gets in behind, he brings the ball down and he shoots… Good save by the keeper! “da da dadada dadadada Ilkeston!” The Ilkeston fans continuously banging on the signs behind the goal!!
10 minutes now and Ilkeston come forward, a great passing move here and it comes to Remaye Campbell just inside the box and he shoots… He finishes!!! 1-0!! Great start for Ilkeston and they have been deservedly rewarded!
17 minutes now and Ilkeston have a corner, “Come on Ilkeston!” in comes the corner… Ilkeston challenge for it… But they all miss it and Chasetown clear. 21st minute and it’s another corner for Ilkeston, in it comes… Headed away by Chasetown, it comes back for Billy Bennett to strike… He slices it and Chasetown clear but Ilkeston get it back and work it forward, it’s played to Zak Goodson in the box on the right and he shoots… Over!
24 minutes in now and Chasetown play a long ball forward, Ilkeston don’t deal with it and number 11 for Chasetown gets onto it, he drives forward and gets to the edge of the box and shoots… Keeper saves.
36th minute now and Ilkeston have a throw in on the left, it’s a long throw into the box, it’s headed down and it falls to Aman Verma… He puts it over!
Good spell for Chasetown now who are chasing the next goal and looking the more likely. 41 minutes now and Chasetown come forward down the right, it’s crossed in, it’s headed on to Joey Butlin!! He couldn’t miss!! And that has been coming!! It’s 1-1!! 43rd minute and Ilkeston come forward down the right, it’s crossed into the box from deep, Billy Bennett gets onto it and shoots… It’s too soft and the keeper saves. At half time the score remains 1-1.
Second half, “Come on Ilkeston!” Ilkeston fans still believe! 52 minutes on the clock and Chasetown play a long ball forward, Ilkeston don’t deal with it and Chasetown get the ball back on the right, it’s crossed in… Oh and the Ilkeston defender has headed it straight to Joey Butlin… He’s scored… Poor defending! And Chasetown have the lead!! Butlin celebrates in front of the Ilkeston faithful… 1-2!
55th minute and Ilkeston come forward, played out to the left, played in low, Zak Goodson slides for it… He doesn’t get there and it rolls out for a goal kick. 66 minutes in now and Chasetown play a long ball forward towards Joey Butlin, keeper comes for it and punches… But only to Jack Langston and he goes for the lob… He’s done it!!! It’s 3 for Chasetown!! 1-3!
70th minute now and has this game gone beyond Ilkeston now? Chasetown come forward, it’s played forward to the edge of the box, Ilkeston get there but it comes to Joey Butlin on the volley… Just over!
74th minute and Ilkeston have a corner, in it comes… And it’s headed in!!! Remaye Campbell got the header and it’s game on again!! 2-3! 1 minute later and Ilkeston press forward again, it’s worked through really well and it’s played through to Charlie Wakefield in the box on the right and he’s 1 on 1… HE’S GOT IT!!! THEY’RE LEVEL!!! Just like that and it’s 3-3!!! How about that!?
“Na na na nanana na! Nanana naaaa! Ilkeston!” 78th minute, “Come on Ilkeston!” Ilkeston fans are happy once more! Ilkeston come forward again, it’s played to Ollie Brown-Hill around 20 yards out, he shoots… OOOH! Just over!
80th minute and Chasetown have a corner, in it comes… It’s Danny O’Callaghan… IT’S IN!!! THEY LEAD AGAIN!!! What a game this is!! 3-4! Ilkeston have got to come again… Ilkeston pressing now for the equaliser, Chasetown holding out now. Into stoppage time and Ilkeston keep on coming but can’t quite break down Chasetown once more, the Referee blows for full time! The Chasetown keeper celebrates in front of the Ilkeston fans! Big win for Chasetown!
FT: Ilkeston Town 3-4 Chasetown
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 6/10 – The Ilkeston fans were loud and proud!! Constant banging on the sides and some good chants!
- The Ground: 9/10 – A fantastic ground for this level!! It’s unique but very good unique! Great top tier stand in the corner with a good standing terrace behind the goal! Would love to see a similar stand behind the other goal mind.
- Expense: 10/10 – Free Entry for a game like that!? Should be 11/10!!
- Overall Experience: 10/10 – A fantastic game with plenty of drama!! A good day out at what I have to say is a very warm club!!
35/40
Thanks for the feedback. A fair summary of the match. We did deserve a point, but if you don’t put away your chances ..
Yeah it was a good game! Definitely should have been at least 4-4!