United are back on the FA Cup trail tomorrow and face Blue Square North outfit llkeston Town at the Abbey hoping to secure a second round place. However, the Derbyshire side have lost just twice on their travels this season and, following a fine 4-1 victory at Blyth Spartans last Saturday, will arrive full of confidence despite having to contend with a growing injury list.
Current Robins Manager Kevin Wilson arrived at the New Manor Ground this summer when Paul Hurst and Rob Scott departed for Boston. The duo had stepped into the breach temporarily last December when David Holdsworth took the manager's job at Mansfield.
Holdsworth was responsible for refining a squad adopted from previous manager Nigel Jemson. The former Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder was at the helm for three years until May 2008 and, despite consolidating Town in the Unibond Premier League initially, his last campaign in charge saw the Robins narrowly avoid relegation.
When new owners took over Jemson was relieved of his duties, paving the way for Holdsworth, brother of ex-United striker Dean.
Town fans were treated to an exciting brand of football from the start of last season and it was not long before clubs higher up the pyramid came sniffing.
Town lost just five of the thirty-one league and cup games Holdsworth was in charge and, when Mansfield swooped, they were just outside the play-offs.
Hurst and Scott were signed as senior players a few months earlier so, with the hierarchy conscious of ensuring a seamless transition, they were given a chance to prove themselves - and prove themselves they did. An already talented side became increasingly resilient as results pushed them towards top spot and automatic promotion.
An amazing 20-game unbeaten league run was finally halted with a 1-0 loss to FC United in their penultimate home match, so the Robins had to be content with an eventual play-off spot. Nevertheless, a 5-0 thumping of Marine and fine 3-0 victory at Whitby in their remaining two matches saw them carry momentum into the semi-final with Kendal. The Cumbrians were subsequently defeated 4-3 after a titanic battle and, in the showpiece final, Town had too much for Nantwich as they ran out 2-1 winners to claim their Blue Square North place.
Unfortunately, despite this excellent campaign conclusion the Ilkeston board dithered over the permanent appointment of Hurst and Scott and, to the frustration of all, they lost patience and headed for Lincolnshire. Former Kettering, Hucknall and Corby boss Wilson took over at the New Manor Ground, along with player-coach Darren Caskey, only to see several of Town's promotion squad follow the Managerial duo to Boston.
To confound matters, Robins' owner Harry Whyte then announced he was to sell his shares in the club, leading to a period of off-field uncertainty. Thankfully, at the time of writing, due diligence was being carried out on prospective new owners, and the club hope to complete a deal within 2-3 weeks.
With Wilson at the helm this season Town will look to secure Conference Premier football for the first time in their 64-year history.
The Squad
The current no.1 at Ilkeston is former Newcastle Blue Star man Dan Lowson, who arrived with Wilson during the summer. The 21-year old won the Blue Square North Player of the Month award for September after clocking up 608 minutes without conceding.
Operating at left-back is ex-Scottish under-16 International Tom Bonner, another to join in the close-season, whilst attack-minded Rushden loanee Jake Beecroft will mirror him on the right. Centre half Aaron Mitchell has recently signed on loan from Notts Forest and made his debut in last weekend's win at Blyth. The youngster will most probably play alongside former Tranmere youth player Luke Waterfall this Saturday.
Right-sided midfielder Danny Holmes was part of the Burton squad winning promotion to the Football League last season and has been a regular since his arrival. Also in the engine room is Neal Hooks, a former team mate of Lowson's at Newcastle Blue Star. Hexham-born Hooks had a spell in Australia earlier this year but, after turning out for Melbourne side Sunshine George Cross, returned to the rolling hills of Derbyshire.
Paul Dempsey, a virtual ever-present this season, sits at the heart of midfield and brings experience from service at Northampton and Scarborough. Another summer signing, Dempsey also spent time in New Zealand playing with Football Kingz. Patrolling the left wing will be Sheffield born Sam Duncum. Already being looked at by a host of higher league clubs Duncum has pace in abundance, so will be prove a good test for United's Rory McAuley on Saturday. Former Boston man Liam Green, operating on the left, and ex-Grimsby Youth Player of the Year Josh Burge will provide back up.
Up front Town suffered a blow last Saturday when much-travelled David Graham broke his leg in the win at Blyth, and his knowledge of the game from spells at Torquay, Bradford, Huddersfield, Wigan and Sheffield Wednesday will be sorely missed. Thankfully, the form of Amari Morgan-Smith has been a revelation, so there are still plenty of goals within the side. The twenty-year old, formerly on the books of Wolves and Crewe, has bagged thirteen goals in 17 starts this season so will be one to watch.
Partnering him against the U's will be Jermaine Palmer, who has recently signed following a brief sojourn at Boston. Journeyman Palmer also played on loan at the New Manor Ground during the 2007/08 season, and has donned the first-team shirts of, amongst others, Stoke City, York, Kettering, Grimsby and Icelandic side Vikingar. The duo will be supported from the bench by youngster Joe Harris, who arrived from Swansea in July.
Joining Graham on the injury list is Club Captain and centre-half Kieran Murphy, (fractured skull) along with fellow defender Alex White, (broken foot). Wilson's squad are further depleted by the loss through suspension of talismanic defender Charlie O'Loughlin and five-goal striker Gary Ricketts.
This Season
Town opened the campaign with a 2-0 loss at Droylsden, but soon recovered thanks to their 3-2 home victory over Redditch United. Another 3-2 home win, this time against current leaders Southport, then formed part of a confidence building nine-match unbeaten run that saw Town climb to the fringes of the play-offs whilst helping Wilson and his men adjust to life in a higher division. The sequence was finally broken after a 1-0 reverse to Hinckley in September; their last defeat away from home.
Success on the road has come at Solihull Moors, (3-0) as well as the 4-1 triumph against Blyth during which Amari Morgan-Smith bagged a hatrick. Impressive draws were gleaned from the trips to high flying Corby and AFC Telford, likewise Workington. Worth noting also that Town have the best defensive record in the division away from home with just six conceded.
Accompanying the aforementioned two home wins are further victories over Farsley Celtic and Vauxhall Motors, although their last two matches in front of the faithful have been frustrating. A 1-1 draw with Northwich was notable for the dismissal of Charlie O'Loughlin, which has lead to his current suspension, whilst they suffered a 3-2 loss to Stafford Rangers in their last outing.
Town's FA Cup route to the Abbey has seen them dispose of Eastwood thanks to a 3-1 replay away win, whilst Blue Square Premier side Tamworth were seen off 2-0 at home after goals from Josh Burge and David Graham.
Doug Shulman
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