> 30.11.2002

.

The Pitmen crashed out of this season's F.A. Trophy after an insipid performance against Ilkeston this afternoon. There were four changes to the side after the 2-2 draw with Stafford a week previously, with Shaun Wray, Darren Simkin, Paul Kiely and Steve Piearce all replaced by manager Ian Painter - in came Wayne Simpson, Stewart Airdrie, Damien Charie and Graham Lancashire. New signing from Torquay United, Anthony Maguire, was named amongst the substitutes

 The home side started the brighter, with Carl Heggs causing problems for the Pitmen. Ilkeston new boy Andy lodge was first to test the visitors rearguard, firing over after he had done well to control the ball and beat Les Robinson

 The Pitmen's philosophy was simple for all to see during the first period - get the ball up to Kevin Francis, who towered over the Ilkeston defenders. However, the hosts played the ball through midfield and started to take control of the game as the first half wore on

Heggs had a good chance to take the initiative with a low drive on twenty minutes, but found Michael Bingham equal to his effort

Chris Freestone was causing the Pitmen's defence a few headaches, and his glancing header was only just off target five minutes from half time

 The Pitmen emerged far more focused for the second half, and within the first ten minutes of the half goalkeeper Matt Nurse had to make good saves from Graham Lancashire and Damien Charie

 Ilkeston then stole the lead just before the hour mark, slightly against the run of play. A long ball from Simon Coleman found Leon Kelly, who beat the sprawling Michael Bingham by taking the ball round him and slotting home

 The Pitmen rallied, and produced the ideal response five minutes later courtesy of new boy Maguire, who had only just come on. Ilkeston failed to deal with a corner kick, and paid the price with Maguire scrambling the ball home at the far post

 The Pitmen looked to go on and win the tie, but Nurse came to Ilkeston's rescue to deny Francis at his near post

The home side crept back into the lead eleven minutes from time when Lodge's run and cross from the right was met by Chris Freestone, who headed past Bingham

 Try as they might, the Pitmen could not get a foothold back in the game, and were hit by a sucker punch in the last minute of the game as they tried to salvage a replay at Keys Park

 Lodge again took the ball down the wing and sent over a cross, this time for Kelly. His header was saved initially by Bingham, but the ball ran clear to the onrushing Freestone who tapped the ball into the net to send the home side into the next round, and a home tie with UniBond Premier League Burscough cds

Halesowen Town (A) 

.

Maguire

Jones

Lancashire

.

.15

.

.

Images / Information (unless accredited), are © Copyright Pitmenweb 1999-2009                                                                                                         Fixtures & Results 2002-2003