Ilkeston Town 0-1 Hereford (FA Cup Second Qualifying Round Replay)
I've been at the cricket all day, covering Derbyshire v Middlesex in the County Championship and as Ilkeston is only 20 minutes’ drive from the County Ground in Derby, I originally put my name down to cover the Robins league match for later in the evening with Hyde, but a draw on Saturday in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup v Hereford means I'll be doing the replay to that instead, no complaints from me.
Hereford have FA Cup history let's not forget, this season their Edgar Street ground is undergoing changes due to a long-condemned stand which is a shame as the old place will never look the same again once construction concludes, I'm sat with a cricket writer from the Times on the morning of the match, who tells me he remembers covering Glamorgan v Worcestershire once at Edgar Street. I'm not sure how true that is as I struggle to find evidence through a Google search, but if it did happen, what a wonderful backdrop it would have been. County Cricket did once have a regular home in Ilkeston too, so perhaps a tedious link worth mentioning, or not?
Back to football, on Saturday, the two sides locked horns in a game that finished 1-1. Hereford are a league above Ilkeston in the National North, Ilkeston these days in the Northern Premier League, but there’s not much between them in quality, tonight’s game is a hard one to call.
Stumps at the cricket for 6pm so I’ve plenty of time to leave Derby ahead of the match, down the A52, up the M1, across the A610 and I’m on Awsworth Lane down the back end of Ilkeston’s New Manor Ground before you know it.
The Venue
I’ve parked directly outside the ground, south facing, for a quick getaway, it’s a place I’ve been to a few times in recent years and is a quirky non-league home ruined a tad by the installation of a 4g pitch, which at least brings in extra revenue despite not being a favourite of the grassy purists like me.
On entrance, I’m asked to pay £13 by card as I walk through the turnstile in the corner of the ground, I walk past a low stand to my left which has the dugouts carved into it, you can actually walk across the technical area and over a red carpet with football club crest on it as I notice former Middlesbrough and Celtic striker Ben Hutchinson (now of Ilkeston) sat in one of the sub seats having a pre-game chat with a team-mate, I continue up to the large quirky corner stand which has a clock tower in it, tonight it’s full of papz as Hereford have brought a bulky media team with them.
The view is decent, but with my bad eyes seeing over the far goal end is a bit tricky, you’re almost level with the eighteen yard box at best, low roofed stand behind the goal to my left, similar at the far end with a small stand covered below down the right hand touchline, opposite is open ended where the club house is and quite a few fans standing in front, the crowd looks fair sized, gates are always good for this level when Ilkeston are at home. It’s a real community club with a rich working class history of followers.
The Game
Hereford are in black tonight, Ilkeston in red, as the first half gets underway and is as presumed a tight affair, both sets of centre halves seem to be dominating their strikers by heading clearances away at will, but both teams play in patches, getting it out wide where they have pace, Ilkeston in L’varn Brandy, Hereford in Cosmos Matwasa who both operate with a trick or two down the left.
Despite moments, neither team is on top, Ilkeston do force a good diving low save by Aaron Chapman to his right from Tom Marshall’s low fizzer but other than a few corners it’s far from classic as both teams suss each other out for the second time in four days.
The game looks to be heading into the half time break goalless, but a long ball pumped up is half cleared, falling to Adam Rooney who blasts from the edge of the area a wonderful strike of all his football league might to give the Bulls advantage.
The Score
That lead gives the away side something to hold onto and Ilkeston come looking for a leveller in the second 45 but Kyle Howkins and his defence stand firm, there’s a few corners but no chances of note, Hereford themselves don’t create much, they don’t need to, as the longer the match goes the more tactical introductions they make, as Matt Preston comes on with half an hour left to provide an extra defensive body.
Ilkeston do probe and a have a couple of half hearted calls for penalties, the fans are in uproar every time there’s some pushing and shoving inside the area but Hereford are defending well, best chance is in the last minute as an effort from outside the box is tipped over the bar, it’s been a gutsy grind by both sides, lacking in quality in the final third, but credit the defending, both teams cancel each other out, but for the difference on the day, Adam Rooney now 36, far from finished when it comes to match winning duties.
The Stars
Rooney might not be able to move and press like he used to but as a striker, his knowhow and experience as well as his finishing ability, is in the end what decides this match.
Hereford defend well with centre halves Howkins and Robinson enjoying their battle largely with Tom Cursons in attack for Ilkeston, whilst in midfield I’m really impressed with the trio of Tate Campbell, Lawson D’Ath and Alex Babos who each compliment each other, each good in their own right, Campbell good in possession, D’Ath with defensive responsibility and Babos adding the creative spark, whilst Cosmos Matwasa at times shown glimpses of pace and skill out wide.
Ilkeston had me slightly confused tonight, a striker I like in Jamie Walker was playing left back, whilst one of their better players, Lindon Meikle, despite the side needing a goal late on, was sub not used, but it was a night where their captain Tom Marshall at centre half impressed me, he won countless headers and lead his side by example.
The Verdict
Hereford will now face Bishop’s Stortford in the next round of the cup in a couple of weeks, before then they’ll host King’s Lynn in the league, Paul Caddis’ Bulls are currently fifth in the table and will be pushing for promotion towards the National League this year.
As for Ilson, as they are known by their locals, they are tenth in their table, in the Northern Premier League, and they’ll probably be happy with another mid table finish this year, but the Robins do have a side that is well capable of gaining promotion, and in a Manager like Ian Deakin, they have a gaffer with good connections to help them do just that.
The Teams
Ilkeston Town: Owen Mason, Callum Minkley, Jamie Walker, Connor Dixon (Ben Hutchinson 85), Tom Marshall, George Wilkinson, L’varn Brandy, Colin Daniels, Tom Cursons, Harvey Kirby-Moore, Jordan Stevens (Sam Parker 66).
Hereford: Aaron Chapman, Sammy Robinson, Kyle Howkins, Lewis Hudson, Tate Campbell, Aaron Skinner (Chay Tilt 31), Alex Babos (Aurio Teixeira 90), Lawson D’Ath (Matt Preston 62), Cosmos Matwasa (Yusifu Ceesay 87), Adam Rooney, Ahkeem Rose (Andy Williams 79).
7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 17th September 2024, New Manor Ground, Ilkeston (att 723).
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