A strong Notts County side professionally disposed of Ilkeston in an engaging pre-season clash at the New Manor Ground.
Ilkeston started with David Jones up top, Luis Rose and Nathan Arnold were on the flanks,
Anton Brown and Mark Shelton were holding, Ben Morris sat in behind Jones.
From the opening exchanges Ilkeston knew this would be a defensive workout. The fluid movement of McLeod, Snijders and Campbell made for a stern test. Notts dominated the ball and won early corners, Rory Coleman did well to head away the first before the Robins cleared the second.
County maintained pressure, Luke Foster had to be alert to clear a dangerous ball in before Smith fired way over the bar from 30 yards. Ross Durrant then saved well, low to his left to deny Snijders’s fizzing strike.
McLeod continued to look the Pies biggest threat and he climbed well to collect a cross but his header squirmed over.
Ilkeston were chasing the ball for large periods, covering space, closing gaps, staying compact and keeping the defensive line organised. More County pressure came but alert defending from Captain Matt Baker and Foster ensured Snjiders was offside following a through ball, Notts won several more corners but alert defending from Baker blocked Campbell’s strike.
However with the frustrations of the travelling support evident, Notts took the lead just before the break. A flowing move saw Atkinson drive forward before sliding in McLeod who showed composure to finish across Durrant with the ball hitting the post before nestling in the corner.
The second half saw Ilkeston start well, Baker had a golden chance to equalise but he mis-cued his strike inside the box after a delightful chipped pass from Foster. Brown then had two attempts well blocked from back to back corners but the Pies would soon wrestle control of the half.
They doubled the lead just before the hour mark when Forte released Stead in the box, the striker showed great quality to finish across Durrant into the far corner. Four minutes later, Notts made it 3-0, Stanley showed great instinct to collect a lofted cross and volley goal-wards, Durrant got a touch but the ball nestled in the corner.
Ilkeston continued to look for a consolation; Baker’s header from Coleman’s corner forced a save from Loach, Coleman then struck a free kick which curled wide of the far corner from just outside the box. Shelton came close with a stunning strike which Loach had to tip over the bar.
County soon added a fourth in what was a replica of the second goal, Burke this time found space in the box and fired low past Durrant.
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