Rory Coleman’s second half strike was enough as Ilkeston, which featured Bermudians David Jones and Jaylon Bather earned a solid win against Derby County’s Under 21s.
Ilkeston began the game with a slight tweak in personnel, Liam Hearn and Jones started up front, Luis Rose and Rory Coleman sat on the flanks with Bather at left back. A midfield partnership of Mark Shelton and Danny Gordon looked to make penetrating passes.
From the early stages Derby moved the ball well, Ross Durrant came rushing out to intercept a long ball forward but was bamboozled as the ball was lofted over him looking for former Robin Lewis Walker. Luckily Jak Kenworthy was on hand to nip in front of Walker and clear.
Rose had Ilkeston’s best chance of the game as his flicked header at the back post from Bather’s cross went inches wide of the top corner.
Derby threatened in stages in the first period, Charles Vernam found space in the box and curled straight at Durrant. Jones then did well to clear a dangerous Babos cross before the latter scuffed an effort straight at Durrant inside the box.
The second half saw Ilkeston press higher and work the ball with more tempo; Derby continued their threat and Timi Elsnik fired inches wide of the near post following a corner. However Ilkeston began to create and trouble Kelle Roos, Anthony Dwyer made an impact and trickled a ball to Hearn but his shot was blocked.
But with 57 minutes gone, Ilkeston led. A wonderful pass from Shelton found Coleman in the box, onside and he finished over Roos with excellent composure.
Durrant then produced a magical save to deny Farrend Rawson whose towering header was destined for the bottom corner. Ilkeston maintained pressure and Hearn had another chance but his header was wide of the near post following a Kenworthy cross, the powerful striker then forced a save from Roos inside the box moments later after holding off Rawson.
Derby produced a late chance with Calllum Guy curling over but Ilkeston held on for a fantastic win in a technical and hard-working display.
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