Lancaster City slip to heavy loss at Ilkeston

Ilkeston Town’s clinical eye for goal put the Dolly Blues to the sword at the New Manor Ground.

Lancaster City started the game the strongest, Marcus Cusani stinging the hands of Mathew Yates with a long range volley, the forward motion carried on during the opening action, a warning shot on 11 minutes as Sam Parker met a corner at the back post which Aidan Dowling needed to turn round the post. 

Lancaster City had a chance of their own from a corner on 16 minutes. Crispin McLean taking the corner which needed saving by Yates as it was dropping in at the back post. 

On 27 minutes, the momentum switched into the Robins’ favour. Sam Parker poking a header past Aidan Dowling as the Dollies back line could not clear their lines after a free kick. 

Harvey Kirby-Moore made it two on 39 minutes, with the Number 9 nipping in before Dowling could come out and rounding the Dollies ‘keeper and doubling their lead. 

He was expertly stopped by Conor Haughey on 43 minutes as he looked to add to his tally. But Jamie Walker extended their advantage just before half time with another close range header.

Despite the first chance of the second half falling to L’Varn Brandy, Lancaster started the second half brighter, but on the hour mark, Ilkeston were gifted another goal. A short back pass and Kirby-Moore rounded Aidan Dowling to add his second and Ilkeston’s fourth.

Substitute Declan Eratt-Thompson almost extended the scoreline again on 64 minutes, but Dowling outstretched parried the ball away. The Robins did have the ball in the net for the fifth time from a corner, however the referee gave a fortuitous free kick to Lancaster City.

The Dolly Blues rallied in the latter stages of the game. A Sam Bailey corner on 70 minutes was blocked three times, once from Lewis Mansell and twice from Dom Lawson. Brayden Shaw had a couple of chances from the edge of the box, once forcing a save from Yates and the other one over the bar. 

Interim Player-Manager Sam Bailey fired over from 18 yards after neat play between Shaw and Charlie Cox. Lewis Mansell saw his close range effort go over the bar after Mathew Yates intercepted a cross and another Shaw effort making the ‘keeper work on 88 minutes, but it was all too little too late. 

Just before full time, Ed Ikpakwu and Jamie Walker both got their marching orders after an off the ball altercation which rounded off a miserable day for the Dolly Blues.