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Early red card isn't enough to deny Ilkeston Town a draw
Saturday, August 28, 2010 Blue Square Bet North HYDE FC 1 Scott Mooney 9 ILKESTON TOWN 1 Amari Morgan-Smith 51pen
THE clock was ticking towards the 11am deadline when the mobile phone rang in the car of a Conference official heading along the motorway.
With only four minutes left, he agreed the Robins could sign Kyle Clancy as an emergency replacement for injured goalkeeper Dan Lowson.
But that was only the start of Ilkeston Town's difficulties on Saturday and it's remarkable the day turned out as it did.
With the transfer embargo still firmly in place, a dispensation was only made for keepers. Manager Kevin Wilson was left being able to name only one substitute because of injuries.
What else could go wrong? Ilkeston soon found out because midfield man Laurie Wilson, helping out in defence, was dismissed in the first minute, allegedly for pulling down striker Scott Mooney.
Later he said: "He tripped over me." Ilkeston captain Paul Dempsey added: "They just tripped over each other."
Could anything else could go wrong? In nine minutes, Hyde were in front when Clancy beat out an effort by Andy Smart, only for Mooney to net the rebound.
What else was left to torture the Robins? Nothing, although Shaun Whalley was rattling the Ilkeston bar before the ten men began to get a grip, with striker Jason Lee calmly filling in at the back beside Jake Picton, who had a fine game.
Amari Morgan-Smith was in good nick and nearly scored in 29 minutes, cutting in from the left and seeing his shot hit the bar. The Ilkeston fans roared louder than the jets heading in to land at Manchester Airport.
In 51 minutes, Morgan-Smith went through the middle and was dragged down. The referee awarded a penalty and the same player hit it high and handsome into the net. "Ilson, we love you," sang the supporters behind the goal.
Clancy had to make good saves from Smart and Mooney while Picton scraped another shot off the line.
Hyde ended up with their first point of the season but Wilson's men were much the happier, despite the looming High Court action which led to the embargo.
"You learn a lot about people when you are up against it and they showed a lot of character. What we have to do is get everybody fit and get out of this embargo," said Wilson after his players saluted the travelling supporters.
Hyde fans had a sad task to perform before leaving Ewen Fields. They unveiled a plaque to Tony Crompton, a supporter for all but the first three of his 68 years.
Half his ashes are buried there and the other half at Flowery Field, a cricket ground where he enjoyed his summers. It was a reminder the game means an awful lot to the fans and is diminished if they are forgotten.
Ilkeston: 1 Kyle Clancy 2 Ryan Clarke 3 Liam Green 4 Josh Burge 5 Laurie Wilson 6 Jake Picton 7 Jack Watts (Darren Caskey 82) 8 Paul Dempsey (c) 9 Jason Lee 10 Chukki Eribenne 11 Amari Morgan-Smith.
Att: 319
Ref: P Gooch
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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