We finished the game with 10 as well John - Hardwick sent off in injury time, looked like for retaliation cos the free-kick was actually given to us.

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Tue 21st January 2025
Derbyshire Senior Cup, Quarter Final
Ilkeston Town  0  Alfreton Town  1 
Ilkeston exited the Derbyshire Senior Cup beaten by a goal direct from a corner in the 2nd minute. They tried hard to recover from the early setback but couldn’t find a way past Alfreton’s determined defence.
Alfreton were first to attack and Sam Parker’s timely challenge denied an opportunity for Lewis Salmon at the expense of a corner. Liam Waldock’s flag kick caught Matt Yates off guard and seemed to skim off the head of Parker before crossing the line. Ilkeston fought back and were seeing plenty of the ball but struggled to find a way into the final third. Alfreton had another chance when David Solademi headed over from a corner. A promising Ilkeston attack involving L’Varn Brandy saw Alex Hardwick fire into the side netting from a tight angle. As the half progressed Ilkeston were enjoying more of the possession and forcing several corners but Alfreton’s defenders were adept at dealing with them. Alfreton were dangerous on the counter and Ilkeston had to thank George Wilkinson and Parker for some good defending. On 35 minutes Brandy found Jamie Walker who brought a reaction save from Jake Askew. Just before half time Harrison Perritt was lucky to only see a yellow card for a very late challenge on Walker. 
Ilkeston had an early second half chance when Walker’s free kick was just off target. On the hour Walker’s cross was won at the far post by Parker who set up a real chance for Brandy but the winger’s fierce shot from inside the area was too high. Kornell McDonald’s cross then found Tom Marshall at the back post but Askew was there to grab his headed cross under pressure. On 76 minutes Alfreton found the net through Jed Abbey but it was ruled out for offside. The final ten minutes saw increasing pressure from Ilkeston. A superb turn and cross by Harvey Kirby-Moore was scrambled away by Alfreton’s defenders then a thunderous on-target free kick by Marshall from 25 yards was brilliantly finger tipped over by Askew. The game had been getting steadily more feisty and in added time it boiled over. A skirmish eventually involving most of the players ended with Hardwick being picked out to receive a red card. Kirby-Moore was close to equalising in the dying moments but Alfreton held on and go though to the semi-finals of the competition.