Ilkeston Town 3 – 1 FC Buxton

Gaffer Corbett took a holiday this weekend as FC travelled to a soggy Ilkeston for their local derby against the supporters’ team of the Conference North side. Recent meetings between the two have been fiercely fought, and the Bucks travelled knowing that although it would be a bruising encounter, they were more than capable of bringing home the victory.

Despite Corbo’s absence, FC benefited from the return of Hollins, Drennan and Betts, with the latter returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines (it only took a few minutes in the changing rooms with him to confirm the injury had not affected his mouth). Buxton’s numbers were further boosted by the drafting in of Drennan Jnr. Team Selector Tiff went with the following line-up: Redburn. Betts. Gould. Moss. Merse. Dren. DJ Steve. Tiff. Andy Dren. Hollins. Jack Gregory. Sub for the Bucks was little Luke Gregory.

The match started with plenty of ‘commited’ tackles flying around as expected. A late challenge on FC stopper Redburn left the diminuitive Town striker with a cut lip for his efforts, an injury which saw him substituted minutes later. The stand-in referee appeared to have little control on the game, and this signalled for several off-the-ball incidents which were to follow.

FC nearly took the lead when a Merson free-kick from just inside the Ilkeston half was met by a strong header from Drennan. The Buxton winger was perhaps guilty of meeting the header too sweetly and his effort was blocked by the Ilson keeper. The follow-up from Hollins was then cleared off the line.

Minutes later, a smart cross from DJ Steve on the right found Andy Drennan at the far post, his header forcing an impressive reflex save from the man between the sticks.

Buxton had survived a couple of scares of their own during the half, but some determined defending and a battling performance throughout the team had kept their Derbyshire neighbours at bay, and the teams went in at the interval all-square.

HT 0-0.

There were plenty of encouraging words shared at the interval. FC knew they could have been in front. They were hopeful that, if they stuck to their guns, more chances would present themselves.

 It was Ilkeston, however, who started the second half-strongest down the hill, but they had to rely on a controversial refereeing decision to help them get a foot-hold on the game. A 50-50 challenge appeared to have been won by the Ilkeston attacker, and the ball went out of play, seemingly for a Buxton throw. Not so - the referee adjudged Tiff to have fouled the Ilson player and a free-kick was awarded against FC, much to the surprise of both teams. The resulting set piece was swung in by Town’s portly centre half, and met with a flicked header which looped over Redburn’s head and into the net. 1-0.

FC were clearly riled by this decision, and their anger was only to increase, as from the kick-off the ball was played back to Betts, whose misjudged pass fell to the feet of the onrushing striker who cooly slipped the ball past the advancing Redburn. 2-0.

The Bucks were left shellshocked, and for the next 10 minutes Ilson poured forward. It took a combination of last ditch tackles, blocks and some wayward shooting from the hosts to keep the score at 2-0, as FC tried to get over the setback and find a way back into the game.

A glimmer of hope came in the form of DJ Steve 15 minutes from the end, with the industrious attacker charging down an attempted clearance and unleashing a low shot which evaded the keeper’s reach and nestled into the bottom corner. 2-1.

It was now Ilkeston’s turn to be on the back foot, as Buxton, spurred on by the injustices which had gone before, turned up the heat. A good ball up the left by Merse set Hallman free, but his cross was cleared to safety. The unkempt DJ then saw an effort fizz pass the post, whilst being ruled offside when clear through, despite TV cameras’ suggesting he was ‘just on’.

It was inevitable that in their search of a goal Buxton would be left short at the back on occasions, and this was the case as a hopeful punt up front was not cleared by the the Bucks back four, with the ginger haired Ilson striker nipping in for his hatrick. 3-1.

The final whistle blew, and Buxton left the field aggrieved but encouraged by their refusal to lie down during a chaotic second half. The return fixture at Fairfield Centre on the last day of the season promises to be an explosive encounter.

FT 3-1.

Ex-gaffer’s MOTM: Dan Moss.