89’ O’Hanlon excellent header off the line 4-1

Final Score Ilkeston Town 4 Coalville Town 1

Coalville did look strong when they equalised but we took them apart after Arlott-John scored his first. Coalville could not cope with Arlott-John, Gibson and Campbell up front. Eratt-Thompson and Wilson were superb on the right in the first half but Coalville compensated for that in the second but left themselves short in the middle. A very good all round performance!

I really enjoyed that, a terrific game of football and a terrific performance from our team. I was struggling to remember the last time we played as well as that. Coalville are no mugs but it isn’t an exaggeration to say we could have won that game 8-2.  

The whole team showed such confidence and energy and no little skill. We had real intent at getting forward with numbers, with full-backs and midfielders supporting the attack. They all put a real shift in.
Yes, there were one or two individual errors here and there, and they had one or two good chances in the first half, but for the most part we looked quite solid at the back.

Wilson had his hands full with their left winger but he again linked well with Eratt-Thompson down our right. I presume Eratt-Thompson was part of our midfield last night (with Solanke and Thomas) but he seemed to be more of an attacker. He showed incredible pace in the first half and gave their left back a torrid time. Often puts a good cross in as well. He was still full of running in the last minute; where he gets his energy from I’ll never know, I get tired just watching him.

I like O’Hanlon at left-back, good technical skills, good footballer. And it looked like he’d been given licence to get forward more last night.

I really like Solanke in midfield. Nothing flash, just plays it simple.

Really enjoyed watching Arlott-John on the left wing. I think he’s going to be a terrific player for us and we’re going to really enjoy watching him. Him bombing down the left and Eratt-Thompson bombing down the right was a joy to watch. And we got bodies in the box when attacking!!! It wasn’t just Campbell against half a dozen defenders, we had numbers in there. Great to see.

If Campbell keeps scoring I guess you can’t question him too much. You certainly can’t question his commitment and work rate. The jury’s still out for me though. He missed a header from about 5 yards out in the first half that I think I could have scored. For me, Montel Gibson is a revelation this season. The talent’s always been there, but now he’s combining it with work-rate and commitment, he looks a terrific player.

It looked like Solanke and Arlott-John came off injured; if so, I hope the injuries are not too serious.

All sorts of rumours. Has Bird gone? Is O’Grady going? I wouldn’t be too disappointed at those two going. Strange how things change though, last season Chapman and Bird looked a good combination in midfield. Is Wakefield going? Not been so impressive this season but he’s a good footballer who I’m sure can play at this level. I hope he stays. Where were Bradley and Bennett and the new lad Costa last night?

You called it John, you said you had a good feeling about the game – not sure many others did! Not so sure about your call that Ward and Turner’s chances of getting the job permanently are slim to zero. We’ll see.

By the way, someone else who was terrific last night was Zane.  When a bunch of their ‘hard core’ fans moved down the side of the pitch to join our fans behind the goal in the second half you started to wonder if it might turn ugly. But the stewards managed to shepherd them back to their own end. So then you start to wonder if it’s ‘another Tamworth’ with stuff being thrown at our bus after we leave the ground. Zane (and Alex I believe?) wouldn’t let the bus go until they knew all was safe – they checked our exit to make sure opposition fans weren’t lurking in readiness for our bus, and made sure the fans and the bus would be ok.  Well played guys.

.
DATE: WED 14 SEP 2022     BY STEVE WHITNEY
Tuesday`s Premier Division Central Round-Up
Due to last Saturday’s games being called off, Tuesday night saw virtually a full set of fixtures in the Pitching In Southern Football League.

Chris Simpson captures action from Coalville v Ilkeston 

In the Premier Division Central, Ilkeston Town gained their first win since winning promotion as Northern Premier League Division One Midlands champions – and in comprehensive fashion against another of the promotion favourites, Coalville Town, at the Mander Cruickshank Solicitors Stadium.A crowd of 574 saw the visitors, under interim bosses Jamie Ward and Ben Turner, take the lead a minute before half-time through Remaye Campbell. Ashley Chambers pulled the Ravens back on level terms in the 58th minute, only for Montel Gibson to restore the Robins` lead 8 minutes later. Then just 4 minutes later, new signing Dempsey Arlott-John made it 3-1 and a second for Gibson 5 minutes from time made it a 4-1 win for the visitors.

There was 422 at the CR Mot Centre Community Stadium to see Tamworth move into second spot in the early table with a 2-1 win against Basford United. The Lambs got off to a great start when Dan Creaney put them ahead after just 6 minutes.However, they weren’t able to add to that early advantage and on 64 minutes, Anthony Dywer pulled the Nottinghamshire side back on level terms. But Andy Peaks` side pushed for a winner and it eventually arrived 5 minutes into stoppage time when, following a corner, Ty Deacon headed home.

Hednesford Town and AFC Rushden & Diamonds are still seeking a first win of 2022/23.The Pitmen, with new manager Steve Burr on watching brief, were beaten 1-0 at Lye Meadow by an Alvechurch side for whom this was a third win to date.The hosts took the lead 2 minutes before the break through Ethan Sephton. But the visitors looked to have been handed a lifeline when home skipper Jamie Willetts was shown a straight red card on the hour-mark. They weren’t able to take advantage though and remain on just two points from seven games.

Stratford Town now possess a won three, drawn three and lost just once from their seven matches after beating struggling Diamonds 2-0 at the Arden Garages Stadium. The Bards could hardly have wished for a better start as Dan Vann, fresh from signing a new contract, put them in front in just the 2nd minute. And then on 72 minutes, Dexter Williams ensured the points stayed in Warwickshire with Stratford’s second.

St Ives Town have now won four and lost three of their seven games after going down to a 2-1 defeat at Westwood Road against Leiston. Adam Mills gave the visitors a 20th-minute lead that Nabil Shariff cancelled out 4 minutes before half-time. But a goal from Ollie Saunders 11 minutes from time gave the Suffolk side their third win.

Switched Mickleover also recorded a third win, 3-1 at Dales Lane against Rushall Olympic. Andy Dales put the visitors in front after just 8 minutes and Mason Warren doubled that 8 minutes later. Veteran striker Stuart Beavon made the points safe for John McGrath’s side just shy of the hour-mark before Sam Whittall netted a consolation for the Pics 10 minutes from time.

Needham Market were another to have recorded a third win of the new season as they inflicted a 5-0 hammering on Royston Town at Bloomfields. Kyle Hammond broke the deadlock by giving the Marketmen the lead right on the stroke of half-time.Boosted by that, Hammond scored his and the home side’s second just after the hour-mark and then Ross Crane made it game over with a third on 73 minutes. Pat Brothers and Jacob Lay added the icing on the cake with two more in the last 9 minutes for Kevin Horlock’s men.

Redditch United and newly promoted Bedford Town also made it three wins from seven outings on Tuesday night. The Reds won the derby at the Victoria Ground against Bromsgrove Sporting in front of a crowd of 824. Reece Flanagan earned local bragging rights for a while with the only goal after 28 minutes.

A crowd of 466 at The Eyrie saw Bedford take advantage of a first-minute goal to beat Hitchin Town 3-0.Tyrone Lewthwaite scored that early opener and 5 minutes before half-time, Hugh Alban-Jones doubled the Eagles advantage.A second for Lewthwaite on the hour-mark ensured victory for Gary Setchell’s side.

 

Ive waited 24 hours for it to sink in.

Ive seen some away games in my time merthyr 10-1 lost, fc utd 2-2 draw Kettering and stourbridge both 2-1 wins, Weymouth, newport iow, dover and our trips to whitby but Coalville last night is in my top 5 of all time.

What a fantastic performance the only bad point was their goal. Dont understand what saul was doing but he made up for it with some good saves.

Going forward we have a problem and its a big problem, we need to get montel and the 2 new lads on big contracts because if these 3 players keep playing like last night we will lose them(i did here somebody is sniffing around Montel already)

The match itself is probably the fastest step 3 game i have ever seen. Pass and go and move, both teams played some great football.

Man of the match our management team. If we had played like that from the first game of the season we would be on 21 points simple as that.

This also brings the question will jamie ward play again?

Ive always said being a ilkeston town fan is like riding a rollcoster and i think its time to jump aboard because its just started again.

Another big game Saturday and over £3000 to play for.

On a sad note mamar Dunmore (sue or mother) pass away today. She was ever present with her family on the bus, she always had a smile on her and i think she will be sadly missed. Rip sue one of lifes good ones taken away from us.

ROBINS RUN RIOT AT HIGH FLYING COALVILLE
 
Coalville Town 1
Chambers 55’
 
Ilkeston Town 4
Campbell 43’
Gibson 62’ 82’
Arlott-John  66’
 
 
Ilkeston Town overturned the form book to defeat second placed Coalville Town 4-1 in new manager Jamie Ward’s first game in charge of a Robins team who were looking for their first league win of the season. Remaye Campbell, Montel Gibson two and new signing Dempsey Arlott-John provided the goals in a memorable performance in front of 574 fans.
 
Both teams started the game with an attacking approach and Ilkeston came close to opening their account on just seven minutes when Gibson shot just wide after being fed by the impressive Declan Eratt-Thompson. The Robins continued to press and both Campbell and Gibson had good chances. Coalville also looked dangerous and Berridge was unlucky when he hit the post on seventeen minutes. Saul Deeney made an excellent save from McGlinchey   and minutes the Robins took the lead. Campbell rose highest to score withan excellent header from a Ben O’Hanlon corner two minutes before the break. Arlott-John almost doubled the lead placed his shot just over the bar.
 
After half time Coalville started to play with greater urgency and it was no surprise when they equalised through Ashley Chambers after the ball evaded Deeney and Chambers was able to tap the ball into an empty net after 54 minutes. The large following of Ilkeston supporters feared the worst but nine minutes later Ilkeston restored their goal lead when Gibson finished a fine Ilkeston breakaway. The Robins now grew in confidence with Coalville starting to struggle to contain Ilkeston lively forwards and on 66 minutes Dempsey Arlott-John got his reward for a fine debut performance when he clinically slotted home the Robin’s third. 
The best was however was saved for last when O’Hanlon and Olli Brown-Hill combined down the left to provide the chance for Gibson to score with a header at the far post. O’Hanlon capped a fine performance to when he cleared off the line in the closing seconds to seal what was an impressive victory.
 
Ilkeston Town and Jamie Ward’s first league win of the season will boost confidence as the Robins look to kick start their season. This was a fine all round team performance played with energy and pace. Ilkeston started for the first time to use the width to create opportunities which appeared to enable the players to play without fear. Fans, management and players will be looking forward to their next game away again in Leicestershire this time in the FA Cup at Anstey Nomads a team they have never lost to.
 
Ilkeston Town line up:- Deeney, Wilson, O’Hanlon, Solanke (Troke 64’) Willvock, Fenton, Eratt-Thompson, Thomas J, Campbell (O’Grady 84’), Gibson and Arlott-John (Brown-Hill 76’) Unused subs Wakefield and Turner.
 
Coalville Town line up :- White, Wilson, Putman, Taylor, Robertson, Thanoj, Shaw (Chitiza 71’), Doyle-Charles, Berridge, Chambers and McGlinchey Unused subs Smith, Laban, Kee and Towers.
 
Report John Shiels

Alex wrote:

Only 1070 at Coalville v Macclesfield. Thats rubbish

                                       >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Just in case someone doesn't know, Gate money is shared in FA Cup games after expenses are taken out. Hence, there is an incentive for the home club to understate the attendance and match takings.
It happens al the time but I wouldn't want to make any accusations.