Tonight saw the first game played in the third round of the Derbyshire FA Senior Challenge Cup with Ilkeston FC of the Northern Premier League Premier Division (Tier 7) entertaining Long Eaton United of the Midland Football League Premier Division (Tier 9).
Cup games provide a chance for smaller teams to punch above their weight and upset teams in higher divisions and myself and my father pondered this as we drove to Ilkeston listening, on the radio, to the draw for the third round of the FA Cup. We were disappointed to learn that our beloved Rams would have to travel either Salford City or Hartlepool United, with the chance of us being subject to a giant-killing. Our disappointment was short-lived however as we were hearted to see a reasonable crowd in attendance at the New Manor Ground.
As the players took to the field the first thing that caught our eye was the awful kits that the two teams were wearing. Ilkeston are known as the Robins and I was disappointed that their traditional red top had now become one incorporating blue stripes. And as the presence of blue stripes clashed with Long Eaton's home kit the visitors were forced to wear their kit of salmon pink and black.
Long Eaton had the breeze on their backs in the first half and made an excellent start to the game. Within 10 minutes they were a goal ahead through a penalty, struck low to the keepers left, after the keeper had brought down an onrushing striker. Long Eaton could have doubled their lead 10 minutes later but Ilkeston were saved by the crossbar following a header from a corner.
Ilkeston looked more dangerous as the first half progressed. The Robins could have gone into the break all square had they capitalised on a free close range header or if their left back could have calmly finished after a mazy run with the ball from the left wing. A half-time lead for Long Eaton was a fair reflection on the first 45 minutes however.
The youthful looking Robins, with the breeze on their backs, threatened early in the second-half. Within the first 15 minutes they had two good chances with close range headers and the ball was cleared off the line from a thundering goal-bound free-kick.
As Ilkeston pushed forward in search of an equaliser a ball up-field from the Long Eaton defence to a striker was calmly controlled in the left channel and from 20 yards out a rasping shot to the keeper's right found first the inside of the post and then the back of the net. 2.0.
With 10 minutes to go Ilkeston were awarded a penalty following the bringing down of a striker. As the keeper went left the ball was put to his right and a tense last few minutes awaited the visitors. It was a case of too little too late for Ilkeston however as they couldn't create any more significant late chances.
A 2.1 away win for the smaller team was a fair score-line and the reasonable number of fans who had made the short trip from Long Eaton left happily with a giant-killing evening under their belts.
No comments:
Post a Comment