Ilkeston Town FC have a beautiful looking ground. I adore the clock-tower there. Image from the Best of Nottingham on Pinterest.

No doubt Bill Shaw would chastise me for saying this, but more bad news for the Walsall Wood faithful on Saturday last as they travelled to Ilkeston Town FC, and played a bold match – which I thought would be curtailed by the weather – only to lose 3-2.

I suspect many a supporter wishes now the pitch had not passed inspection!

Bill Shaw sent in the following report, and I’d just like you all to join with me in wishing Bill all the very best as he’s not been in great health lately, and I’m quite concerned. Get well soon old chap.

Bill said:

Hiya  Bob,

Another report cobbled together from both sides Twitter accounts as I continue to suffer for the bloody mindedness of Leicestershire NHS Trust, but that’s neither here nor there.

The knockers are at it already, the bubble has burst, Wood have shot their bolt – etc.  We have a bit of a problem in midfield with Keenan Meakin-Richards, Andy Westwood, Lee Butler and Peter Till all carrying injuries of varying degrees and next Saturday’s game at home to Leicester Road couldn’t have come at a worse time, but after that it should become a little bit easier with us away at Bolehall Swifts on the 23rd, home to Stafford Town on Boxing Day, away at Lichfield City on the 30th before our first game of 2018 sees us away at Paget Rangers.

Of the top six we have the return fixture against Ilkeston Town on January 20th and we have to face Studley home and away, whilst the other teams involved in the title battle will be meeting each other regularly between now and Saturday April 28th.

Sorry to go on but I’ve nothing else to do at the moment, so just keep the faith, it ain’t over yet by a long chalk.

Ilkeston Town 3 v 2 Walsall Wood

Ilkeston stay in second place after this victory as they twice came from behind to eventually win 3-2, as the Midland Leagues meanest defence conceded three goals for the third Saturday in succession.

It took Wood just eight minutes to go ahead, Paul Sullivan caught a defender in possession 30 yards out and went for goal, he went through two tackles before unselfishly setting up Sam Agar who put Wood one up.

Three minutes later Jamie Walker crossed from wide left, Alex Marshall powering a header off the Wood bar and away to safety. After 31 minutes from a goal-mouth scramble Jordan Wheatley saw his effort deflected for a corner, from which Walker headed wide. He made no mistake on 44 minutes however, slamming home the equaliser.

Yet more wonderfully professional footage from Russell Smith and The-wood.tv – this time under his alternative guise of Jumper for Goalposts. Check to Thewood.tv on Facebook here.

It took Wood just three minutes of the second half to regain the lead, Sullivan rifling a shot into the top corner.

On 59 minutes it was all square again, Tom Marshall crossing into the centre for Montel Gibson to head home. It was Gibson who put the hosts ahead for the first time 13 minutes later, his speculative effort from the edge of the box going under the dive of keeper Lloyd Ransome.

Five minutes later Agar had a chance to equalise but hit a rising drive just over.

So it’s Ilkeston who draw first blood in the battle of the big spenders. For Wood it’s just one win in five and with Leicester Road (the first team to beat them in the league) the visitors next Saturday life doesn’t get any easier just yet.

Nine points now separate leaders Leicester Road from sixth placed Atherstone Town. Racing Club Warwick who are putting together an impressive unbeaten run are a further six points back but have games in hand of all the teams above them.

Bill Shaw

The Teams:

Ilkeston Town – Deakin, White, Walker, Shaw (captain), Jemson, T. Marshall, Edwards, Wheatley, A. Marshall, Gibson, Bennett, Hopkinson, Lench, Fairclough, Hodgett-Young, Morris.

Walsall Wood – Ransome, Deakin, Okojie, Hurren, McFarlane, Tolley (captain), Fitzpatrick, Walker, Sullivan, Agar, Hayden, Clarke, Mugisha, Rowley, Till, Humphries.

Thanks to Bill for the report, always appreciated and do get well soon – for the good of The Wood!