Robins all set for welcome return to league action
Ilkeston striker Aaron Hooton (left) challenges in the air against Heanor. Photo by Rob Stephenson.
Kevin Wilson took heart from Ilkeston FC’s return to action this week as he saw his side romp to a comfortable win in the Derbyshire Senior Cup quarter-final on Tuesday night.
The 7-0 win over Heanor Town was the first time manager Wilson had been able to see his charges in action for over a fortnight following the recent freezing weather, with the game a vital warm-up for the visit of Stafford Rangers to the New Manor Ground this weekend.
And although there were still aspects of the Robins’ game Wilson was unhappy with, he felt it was an important run-out.
He said: “We scored seven goals and kept a clean sheet so that speaks for itself in many ways.
“We started well but I felt were looked a bit rusty at times, which although was inevitable given we hadn’t played very much recently, is something we can’t afford to see happen on Saturday.
“That’s why this game was important really because it gave us a chance to get the strongest side out, blow a few cobwebs away and at the same time progress in the competiion and keep our unbeaten run going.
“It was tough for Heanor because they lost their management team recently and were up against it, but we did a professional job.”
The break from matches had left Wilson and his players frustrated with the lack of action, but with everyone else in the Evo-Stik Premier Division having had to endure the same fate, the Robins boss doesn’t feel too disadvantaged going into the clash with Stafford.
He said: “It’s been difficult but we couldn’t really do much about it except try and keep the players as fit as possible.
“Stafford also had a game tonight (Tuesday) in their County Cup at Hednesford so they’ll have had a run-out too.
“They’re a good side and have the likes of Daniel Quinn in the side who we tried to sign a couple of weeks ago, but we’re in great form and feel we can push on.”
New signing Cameron Darkwah had a goalscoring run-out for the Robins academy on Tuesday, while Wilson says he hopes to have made a couple of loan signings ahead of the match with Stafford.
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Weather for Ilkeston
Sunday 26 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 6 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South west
