Match Report - Ilkeston Town 5 - 2 SCTFC

It was another away trip to Derbyshire for The Royals this weekend, to take on the might of league leaders Ilkeston Town. Thorpe’s men knew they were in for a tough game at the New Manor ground having already lost out to the Robins earlier in the season.

Thorpe’s side for the game was as follows Brown, Hurley, Eden, Burgess, Beresford, Redfern, King-Harmes, Dodd, Marselia, Martin, Letford.

Sutton took a while to settle into the game with Ilkeston having plenty of the ball, but Sutton nearly got on the score sheet. Martin ran wide with the ball, fired it in for Dodd to strike from centre, but unlike last week Dodd’s strike went sailing over the crossbar.

Ilkeston pressure finally told when Campbell latched onto a ball, rounded Brown who had come out to close down, and slotted into the net for an easy finish 1-0 Ilkeston.

Marselia tried to lob the keeper from way out, but his effort went wide of the goal.

King-Harmes had a good run allowing Crossfield to shoot across goal, but it went just wide of the far post.

Ilkeston were seeing a lot of possession and nearly made it count as Goodson hit one from the edge of the box. It was brilliantly saved with the help of the crossbar by Brown.

On the half hour mark, some great work wide by Martin enabled him to provide an excellent cross into the box. It saw Marselia tap the ball home at the far post. 1-1.

Disaster for Sutton on 37 minutes. After getting back into the game, they fell behind again from a corner which was headed in by Fenton at the back post. 2-1 Ilkeston.

Sutton nearly got back into the game when a brilliant run by Marselia put him in one on one with Durrant in the Ilkeston goal. He did the hard work rounding him but his shot hit the post and came back to Martin who blasted the ball over the crossbar when a tap in would have done.

Ilkeston increased their lead moments later when some good wide play put Troke in to score from close range.

The half finished 3-1 to Ilkeston with Sutton ruing missed opportunities.

Ilkeston started the second half on the front foot and put Brown to work straight away with a bullet header being finger tipped save over the bar.

Thorpe made a change on 52 minutes taking off Dodd and bringing on Ishichei.

Martin saw an effort go wide of the post, a speculative effort, but a chance all the same.
Disaster for The Royals when a hand to ball in the box is given against King-Harmes which gifts The Robins with a penalty. (I blame the fog for obstructing the referee’s vision!)

Campbell made no mistake, and slotted home to the left of Brown. 4-1 Ilkeston.
Marselia was put through into the box, but before he could get his shot off, the challenge came in to take the ball away.
King-Harmes had a good run across goal, but his shot went just wide of the far post. Sutton were not letting their heads drop, and were continuing to attack wherever possible.

65 minutes in and King-Harmes was replaced by youngster Charles Swan.

Letford went on a fantastic run, beating several defenders before laying off to Marselia for a strike, which was well saved by Durrant to keep the score at 4-1.

Blondie hit an effort from distance, but unfortunately it went straight over the bar.

Sutton won a corner and Beresford managed to get his head on it which deflected of Letford’s head and wide of the far post.

Final substitution was made on 75 minutes with Wilson coming on for Marselia.

78 minutes in, and Swan ran into the box and slid a ball just inside the post to bring the score to 4-2. It was a well-deserved goal for Sutton who had many chances to get back into the game.

Minutes later, and Ilkeston increased their lead when a free kick was saved by Brown onto the crossbar. Unfortunately, it deflected back into play for Campbell to strike his hat-trick and put the game beyond Sutton.

Martin saw red following a second yellow with a minute to go for dissent, but the game was effectively over and finished 5-2 in favour of Ilkeston.

The result was not a fair reflection of the match from Sutton’s point of view. Yes, Ilkeston were the better team, and yes, The Royals had many chances and played a good game, but on a different day, who knows, the result could have been very different.

Next up is the Walsall Senior Cup, and local rivals Boldmere. A win would put Sutton in the Semi-final and a good chance at another final.

So come and cheer the lads on into the next round.

COYR.