WhiteBallProject » Rushall Olympic v Ilkeston

Matchman · 03/10/2016 4:06 PM

After Saturday's FA Cup disappointment it's back to the league tomorrow night against Rushall Olympic. The Pics are having a good season so far and are joint 3rd in the league. In my opinion any sort of result there will be a bonus. Whilst we have not been playing badly we are not scoring enough goals and it's goals that win matches. To that end Malachi Lavelle-Moore looks a promising option. He played Saturday after hardly any match practice this season. Not surprisingly he was blowing in the second half and had to be replaced. I think that he and Anthony Dwyer could prove to be a good partnership given time. Jaylon Bather's return will strengthen the defence where Matt Baker has been playing with great consistency. Also we are now seeing Anton Brown proving what a good acquisition he is in midfield. Officials of other Clubs have commented that the league is much more competitive this season with several teams beating each other rather than any team streaking away. The difference between winning and losing is small so things can change quite quickly. At present we are bottom of the league but with games in hand. We need to pick up points as we get these games played to move us up the table. We proved that we're a capable side when we beat leaders, Buxton but we've followed that up with two disappointing defeats. Here's hoping for an exceptional performance against Rushall and hopefully a point or three.

Usual updates here from 7 30pm tomorrow night.

Matchman · 04/10/2016 5:32 PM

Ilkeston team:
Durrant, 2 Walters, 3 Dolan, 4 Bather, 5 Baker, 6 Foster, 7 Atkinson, 8 Shelton,9 Dwyer, 10 Brown, 11 Coleman.
Subs : Goddard, Gordon, Rose, Morris, Lavelle-Moore.

Matchman · 04/10/2016 5:45 PM

It's five minutes to kick off. Rushall are wearing gold shirts, back shorts. Ilkeston are wearing red and blue striped shirts, white shorts.. The teams are out. It's a chilly evening and the pitch is in good condition. Rushall to start the game and we're off.

Matchman · 04/10/2016 5:53 PM

No openings so far, all the play in midfield. Atkinson nearly breaks through then Shelton is stopped. Decent start by Ilkeston. 7 minutes gone

Matchman · 04/10/2016 5:57 PM

ilkeston are looking the classier side but still no clear cut opportunities. First corner to Rushall on 10 minutes. Durrant claims.

Matchman · 04/10/2016 6:02 PM

Excellent defending by Rushall's Eze denies Dwyer a chance. Rushall get a shot in but it's well wide. 15 gone.

Matchman · 04/10/2016 6:06 PM

Opening Goal for Rushall on 19 minutes. Alex Reid bundles the ball in after Durrant parried first shot .1-0.

Matchman · 04/10/2016 6:14 PM

Atkinson wins corner but it's headed clear. Ilkeston struggling to create anything against the strong Rushall defenders.

Last edited by Matchman (04/10/2016 6:15 PM)

Matchman · 04/10/2016 6:21 PM

It's a game of few chances. Ilkeston are sound in defence but there's nothing up front. 35 minutes gone

Matchman · 04/10/2016 6:32 PM

Robust Rushall are winning the loose balls. The Rushall keeper has not had to make a save. Rare Ilkeston attack on 42 minutes but it fizzles out. Coleman fires in a free kick but defender clears. It's half time and Rushall deservedly lead 1-0.

Matchman · 04/10/2016 6:50 PM

Half time Ilkeston substitution. Lavelle-Moore replaces Walters.

Matchman · 04/10/2016 6:53 PM

Rushall are still dominating. 50 minutes gone.

Matchman · 04/10/2016 6:59 PM

Fans are trying to lift Ilkeston. Shelton is floored by Rushall tackle. free kick. Coleman takes free kick, Brown header cleared off line. that's the nearest Ilkeston have been. Then Atkinson tries his luck. Durrant then forced to tip over. Hour gone

Matchman · 04/10/2016 7:05 PM

Ilkeston are now pushing forward more but this is allowing Rushall to break. Dolan is having a sound game in defence.

Matchman · 04/10/2016 7:08 PM

Dwyer looked to be fouled in area but ref says not. Better from Ilkeston, but still no end product.

Matchman · 04/10/2016 7:12 PM

Great breakaway chance for Rushall but two players get in each others way. Atkinson replaced by Rose on 70 minutes

Matchman · 04/10/2016 7:21 PM

Ilkeston are trying to get forward but Rushall are defending well. Home keeper has to save shot/cross i think from Dolan. Definitely better from Ilkeston this half. Ten minutes left

Matchman · 04/10/2016 7:22 PM

Anton Brown comes off Haydn Goddard replaces him.

Matchman · 04/10/2016 7:29 PM

Good effort by Lavelle-Moore but it drifts wide. Coleman gets told off by ref for complaining after he is clattered and Rushall player is unpunished. Only 3 minutes normal time left.

Matchman · 04/10/2016 7:37 PM

Ilkeston can't quite manufacture a chance. They've had the better of the second half. It's finished Rushall 1 Ilkeston 0. Third consecutive defeat by the odd goal.

Matchman · 05/10/2016 6:39 AM

It was another frustrating night for Ilkeston's supporters. Ilkeston remain bottom of the league with just one win after hardly creating a chance and four goals scored from six league games gives a clue as to why they are where they are. There's no denying Rushall are a decent side and a result against them is always difficult but supporters were given very little to get excited about. The Pics were robust and physical as usual and denied Ilkeston time on the ball. Defensively Ilkeston did alright but up front they were unable to trouble the Pics keeper who had an easy night. Rushall's dominant number 5 Henry Eze allowed nothing to get past him down the middle and he powered away everything in the air. Ilkeston did at least try to get back in the game in the second half but their forwards were unable to fashion an opening. My man of the match for Ilkeston in a less than good team performance was Rhys Dolan who continues to impress with his defending.