News

Wednesday 31st Jan saw the reserves entertain Ilkeston Town in what was thought at the time to be the challenge bowl. It turns out now that the 2-2 draw has further has implications. Both sides thought it would be a point apiece in the league based cup but it was later discovered that it should have been a league trophy encounter and extra time should have been played. It looks like a replay will be required but at the time of writing that has to be confirmed. The game started in bizzare circumstances with power to the local area being lost at around 6-30 and not coming back on until 7-45. Neil Kitching took another step on the comeback trail starting upfront. The game was keenly contested and was finely poised at 0-0 when a bobbling backpass caused Richard Selby problems, his clearance going straight up in the air. During the resulting challenge from the Ilkeston forward, Richard received a nasty eye injury which required lengthly hospital treatment. Chairman Mark Evans was again on hand taking Richard to hospital and eventually getting home at gone 1am (after getting lost in fog !!). Another example of our chairman's selflessness.
John MgGinlay himself took the gloves (there weren't many other volunteers) and found himself picking the ball out of the net through no fault of his own. A weak header by Karl Reynolds let in Carl Wright one on one and the Ilkeston striker made no mistake. Rovers deservedly equalised on 42 mins, Paul Wilson finishing well just inside the area. HT1-1

Ilkeston took the lead again on 65 minutes in a moment that the Gaffer will want to forget. A routine shot looked to have been collected by the stand in keeper only for the ball to spill out of his hands for the lucky Wright to convert. There weren't many of the lads that were going to have a go. The lads battled back again and on 78 minutes, Tim Pole scored a cracker, pulling down a left wing cross before fireing into the far corner for the equaliser. FT 2-2