More Points Dropped

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Unibond Northern Premier League Division One

Tuesday 20th September 2004

ILKESTON TOWN 1 vs WILLENHALL TOWN 0

 

It’s been 10 years since Willenhall visited Ilkeston for a match; the impressive New Manor Ground was the perfect setting for what was always going to be a tight game. The league leaders haven’t lost in the league yet, and the visitors were ready to steal the thunder.

Despite being forced to make several changes, Willenhall looked good value for the first 20 minutes, however, the match will be remembered for an incident that delayed the game for some 35 minutes. The ref got hit in the face by the ball, and after receiving treatment from the physio’s, decided he couldn’t continue. When there wasn’t a suitably qualified official in the crowd who could run the line, the hosts had to arrange a replacement or be forced to refund the 259 spectators.

A sub assistant was found and the game re-started, both teams continued to press forward and created some good chances but neither could find the killer finish.

After the second re-start, the hosts broke the deadlock virtually from the start of the second half. A mistake on the half way line gave possession to the hosts, and a low shot by Smith broke the deadlock on 47 minutes.

Five minutes later and Willenhall looked to have levelled when an effort appeared to have cleared from behind the goal line; the stand in ref adjudged the clearance to have been on the line and waved play on.

Despite their efforts Willenhall couldn’t convert possession into goals, and made the trip back to Noose Lane ruing their luck.

Reds line up Vaughan, Slater, Curran, Thomas, Creighton, Field, Myers, Swann, Quilt, Hay, Jones. Subs McGee, Webb, Edwards.