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12/8/2017 9:29 PM  #1


Ilkeston Town v Heath Hayes MATCH REPORT

August 12th 2017

Ilkeston Town (0) 0

Heath Hayes (1) 2
Humphries 44
Teece 76
 
Att 583
 
Ilkeston Town – Hall, Bennett, Walker©, Shaw, Graham, Jemson, Robinson (White 70), Edwards, Gibson, Hopkinson and Simmons (G) (Simmons P 70). Subs not used Bodkin Gk, Hodgett-Young and Swinscoe.
 
Heath Hayes - Wiggins, Weldon A (Holmes 73), Evans, Scott, Nelson, Arrowsmith, Teece, Davis (Partridge 62) , Smith (Weldon J 69), Humphries and McCready Subs not used Allsopp GK, Partlow.
 
Ilkeston Town  Pl2 W0 D1 L1 F1 A3 Pts 1  Pos 18th
 
For the second week running a previously little known Midland football League club has gate crashed Ilkeston Town’s rebirth party. Over 500 fans were hoping to see the Robins brush off the nerves they showed at Uttoxeter last week and put Heath Hayes to the sword. However Heath Hayes had other ideas sharing the honours in an even and bright opening spell to the game. Ilkeston were not dominating possession as they did last week but yet again they were finding it difficult to create clear cut chances. Unfortunately the breakthrough in the game came on 44 minutes when Graham made a complete hash of a back pass to debutant keeper Hall. The ball escaped Hall and Humphries gratefully accepted the gift to put Heath Hayes 1-0.
After the break Ilkeston initially looked to be more positive and they pushed forward in greater numbers. Despite this Heath Hayes were also looking to increase their lead and missed a number of good chances. The game was settled on 76 minutes when Teece was put clean through on goal and as Hall hesitated the striker calmly slotted the ball home.
The goal took the wind out of the Robins sails and there attempts to get back into the game began to look more ragged and by the end of the game the players looked weary.
Heath Hayes thoroughly deserved the three points and manager Steve Chettle will now be left with the challenge of rebuilding Ilkeston’s dented confidence. The team my need to think again about the tactic of lifting long balls in to the box when they have not a target man to aim for.
Ilkeston is a completely new team who have not played much together and today that’s exactly what they looked like for long spells in the game. On the positive side they showed that they can play an elegant passing game which on its day will destroy the opposition. The team looked hurt and dejected as they left the field, which is a good sign as it shows that it means something to a group of players desperate to succeed.
Off the field the journey continues to be positive with 583 fans at the New Manor Ground cheering on their heroes. Surely this must have been the largest crowd at the level anywhere in the country and will have eclipsed crowds at many grounds at higher levels.

 

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