It's dry and sunny at the Walsall Wood ground. The pitch looks ok so should be a good game. Some Ilkeston supporters are here already.

Walsall Wood are wearing all red and Ilkeston are wearing blue and black.  It's ten minutes before kick off and it's bright sunshine.

Michell has to come to edge of area to gather. Both teams are going long. Good attack by Wood Jemson blocks the shot. First shot on goal is by Wood but its high and wide.

Hopkinson causes panic but he can't get his shot in.  Dixon is doing well in midfield. It's an even match so far.

Mitchell has to punch clear. Wood are starting to get on top. Save by Mitchell.     0-0  25 minutes

Wood are still dominating. Mitchell has to tip one over.  But it's still 0-0          36 minutes

It's half time and Ilkeston are lucky to be level. It's been all Walsall Wood but so far we have managed to keep them out.   Wood have had nine attempts to Ilkeston's one

Last edited by Matchman (18/8/2018 2:58 PM)

Early free kick then corner for Wood. Dixon clears. Two efforts by Ilkeston but Wood block then clear. Great work by Dixon creates chance for  Hopkinson but Wagstaff makes good save. Better from Ilkeston. 

First corner for Ilkeston.  It lands on the net. Wood starting to regain control now.  Wood make two substitutions.    0-0   62 minutes.

Reeves shot saved by Wagstaff.  Pearler for Dixon   1-0 Ilkeston.

Free kick to Ilkeston on edge of area. Bennett to take. Shot hits a defender.   Play is now a bit frantic as Wood  are not happy.  It's end to end as Wood push up.     1-0   77 minutes

Incredible to be two up.   5 minutes left.  

Match Summary :

Two spectacular second half goals from Kyle Dixon and Alex Marshall gave Ilkeston an amazing win against last year's runaway Division One champions Walsall Wood. The first half was dominated by the home side but Liam Mitchell and his defenders restricted the Wood to only a few real chances. Wood were giving Ilkeston very little time on the ball and the Robins only managed one shot before the interval compared with Walsall Wood's nine but for all Wood's dominance they had nothing to show. There were many fierce challenges and one of them resulted in Ryan Wheatley having to leave the field early in the game. After half time the ascendancy changed. Ilkeston made a good start and began to get on top and create chances. Influential Kyle Dixon played Tim Hopkinson in but Wagstaff produced a brave save from Hopkinson's close range shot. Dixon went very close himself with a shot that whistled by the post and then he burst through the Wood defence and unleashed a wonder strike to give Ilkeston the lead on 67 minutes. Wood were shocked into pushing forward more and so leaving gaps at the back allowing Ilkeston opportunities on the break. With six minutes remaining Alex Marshall thrilled the travelling Robins fans  when he saw Wagstaff off his line and lobbed the ball over him and into the net from way out. That knocked the stuffing out of the Walsall Wood players and Ilkeston played out the remaining time with relative ease.

Last edited by Matchman (19/8/2018 8:00 PM)