Sheer elation and surely an image that Ilkeston will treasure this season.

Midway through the second half and both teams bring on substitutions. This is turning out to be a gruelling, heavy, but fair contest today. Will there be a breakthrough? So close.

A bright summer afternoon and the Wood’s third game in a week, following the two clattering cup ties recently. The welcome visiting team from Ilkeston wore mid blue strip for this match

The match ends with Ilkeston the deserved winners by two goals to nil. Players who have given their all shake hands with their opponents as the home and away supporters applaud to bring the splendid afternoon to an end.

Early in the first half and three players compare hairstyles.

First half and the players are getting the measure of their opponents. Interesting. A hard contest, this.

Later in the first half and one Wood player sports a head bandage now. An Ilkeston player had previously left the field to receive attention.

Celebration moment for Ilkeston players who focus their exuberance on their following supports, who, in turn, found it difficult to focus at all by then. Wood’s famous throat oil. Catches many an unwary traveller out. How will the Wood respond. Can they work their way through and score a vital equalising goal? The pressure is now on…

First half and (very)close marking. Brought out every skill and ploy. A physical game

Second half and a breakthrough, sadly for Ilkeston, following a deft interception of a slack defending pass by a battle- weary player. But, elation for the Ilkeston away supporters, who made their presence known, one way or another.

First half and an Ilkeston player pleads “innocence”….Well… I was not the referee. Some of the ensuing tackles – by both sides – gave an added measure of spice to the proceedings. Super to spectate, but demanding for all the players today.

Early in the first half and a normally fine through ball is cut off by an Ilkeston defender. It was one of those games.

First half and…and? No, it didn’t. Score still nil, nil.

Late in the first half and a beady eye is kept on the attacking Wood player. The ball is not in view.

First half and a through move by the Wood fizzles out, sadly

Second half now and the teams’ private cup of tea and cucumber time with their trainers brings new determination by all the players.

Second half and a second goal – akin to a hole in one – to Ilkeston. Ouch

Images and captions kindly supplied by the young David Evans

Bad news for the Walsall Wood faithful on Saturday last (18th August 2018) as they entertained visitors and long-time nemesis Ilkeston Town FC, and played a bold match – only to be beaten 2-0 in thew second half.

Blog football correspondent David Evans watched the match and said:

Hiya  Bob,

Walsall Wood 0 v 2 Ilkeston Town

This was a match I had been eagerly looking forward to. Firstly to welcome back  the away supporters, raucous and full of high spirit, and secondly I wanted to see this season’s  Ilkeston squad in action.

The match was a fine display of quality football with both sides initially sounding each other out, one way or another, and then employing various well practised tactics to bring a thrill a minute at times for the spectators. Ilkeston had the advantage of not having had to play two bruising cup ties in the recent days.

Those two encounters had brought regrettable injuries to the normally complete Walsall squad. Added to this the ability to draw on a far greater bank of players than Walsall Wood, and the stage was set.

Interestingly it did seem that one slight error, loose pass, slip or misjudgment might bring about the deciding goal. It was nearly so. The first half was very evenly fought by both sides, with good confident defence by Walsall Wood and Ilkeston alIke.

The second half saw numerous subsitutions by both teams, and it was here that the greater cohesion of the  Ilkeston squad  began to show. One imprecise cross pass brightly and swiftly intercepted by Ilkeston gave them the rare goal scoring chance which they took well.  The challenge now was two-fold for the Wood and despite ratcheting up a gear or two, they found it impossible to break through the Ilkeston defence, but whilst attempting to do so, a breakaway long, looping shot by Ilkeston left the Woods goalkeeper stranded way away from his area. No imprecision here by Ilkeston. The shot was accurate and  deservedly scored a fine goal.

The final score was two goals to nil in favour of Ilkeston. Walsall Wood will now  take a day’s downtime to reflect, consider, and adjust, I am sure.

David Evans

Thanks to David for the report, always appreciated – for the good of The Wood!