Emley's first home game in the NPL Premier Division ended in defeat as Ilkeston took all 3 points in an entertaining encounter at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground, there was very little to separate the sides and Emley could probably feel they were the better side.

A warm and humid evening welcomed the sides and Emley, attacking the Warburton end, started brightly, with an early throw in headed wide by Barks, a couple of minutes later and Ilkeston's first attempt but a half volleyed shot was also wide, Emley thought they'd opened the scoring but the ref pulled it back and ordered a free kick to be retaken, the original attempt was too quick for him.

Within a couple of minutes though the visitors had the lead, a misunderstanding in Emley's defensive ranks saw a wayward ball fall to Dwyer who calmly rolled it home, Emley looked to hit back but Ellis Farrar was off target with a header from a free kick out wide, and the Pewits enjoyed a decent spell where they put pressure on the Ilkeston backline but had nothing to show for their endeavours.

There was a moment if amusement after Ilkeston created a good chance but the final shot was blasted miles over the shed roof and probably cleared the car park too! Still, Emley looked to create something but again the Robins' defence held firm to deny Stacey following a burst into the box and then saw Lindley fire wide of the post.

Neither keeper had really had to make a save until around the half hour mark when Ilkeston broke from deep following an Emley attack, the shot was low enough for Bottomley to get down to and make the save, Gabby Johnson showed great effort to force a corner but Barks couldn't steer a header on target and then the visitors doubled their lead.

Emley conceded a corner on their right but the ball was partially cleared by a decent punch from Bottomley, but after they stopped an Emley break on halfway, then pressed the accelerator, a ball down their right bypassed the Emley defence who couldn't clear and the ball was squared for Hunter to scramble home, joy for the Robins fans but misery for the Pewits.

As half time approached, Emley enjoyed the rest of the half, putting pressure once again on the visitors, who held firm and saw a Di Girolamo somehow kept out, Emley claimed the ball had gone over the line but the officials weren't having it, Johnson had a header straight at the keeper and Lindley fired over the bar.

H/T- Emley 0-2 Ilkeston Town.

Despite being 2 down and eventually losing the game, Emley showed tremendous spirit in the second half and will feel they did enough to warrant a point at least, maybe even all 3 but it's tight margins, Emley started the second half with a spring in their step, attacking the shed, Di Girolamo was unlucky again as he met a lovely ball from Kiwomya but the keeper, not for the last time pulled off a quality save to deny him, straight down the other end and the visitors had a chance to make it 3 but fluffed the shot wide.

Emley then dominated the next 20 minutes of the game, pegging Ilkeston back and creating plenty of chances, a header from Barks at the back post sailed over from one of numerous corners Emley earned, Di Girolamo created an opening but his shot was saved and another great ball in by Kiwomya was missed by everyone.

Emley's first change came on 56 minutes when Kiwomya was replaced by Bailey Thompson, and he was straight away in the thick of the action, his first involvement ended with an Emley free kick from the right,the ball in was a beauty and met by the head of captain Jack Cowgill who set up Bailey Thompson to crash in Emley's first goal in the NPL Premier for 20 years.

With the shed now in full voice, Emley pushed for a second, another great move found Di Girolamo at the back post but his neat shot was inches wide, 2 minutes later and Johnson tried his luck, that shot was saved by the keeper who was now being kept very busy, he produced his finest save yet though as he got fingertips to a thunderous Barks header to tip it over, Cowgill then steered a header wide but Emley were still behind and pushing.

A second change for Emley and Rinor Ejupi swapped with Stacey on the left wing and soon played his part in Emley winning yet another corner as Di Girolamo again, had a shot deflected, it was all Emley now with Ilkeston struggling to get out of their own half, the Pewits were rampaging down both sides with Sheppeard in particular enjoying a lot of ball and space down the right, a super ball from Sheppeard found Thompson who blasted over.

It was like attack v defence at times, but the defence stood up to be counted in the face of an onslaught as Emley kept piling forward in search of an equaliser, another shot by Lindley was off target, and eventually, Ilkeston did make it out of their half but Bottomley was off his line sharpish to head a dangerous ball away.

With just 10 minutes remaining, Emley thought they had their equaliser, a bustling run from Johnson saw him round the advancing keeper but his shot hit the foot of the post and agonisingly rolled out of danger, Farrar gave way to Sorhaindo as Emley threw everything they had now but it was in vain as the visitors held firm, Sorhaindo couldn't connect with a back post header to trouble the keeper.

Ilkeston were happy to keep the ball in the last few minutes and see the game out, and it was the Robins from Derbyshire and their fans that were celebrating at the end, 2 first half goals and some resolute defending saw them through, disappointment for Emley who were applauded off after a gutsy second half performance.

We don't have long to wait until we are back in action as Curzon Ashton visit on Friday.

F/T-Emley 1-2 Ilkeston Town.

Attendance- 457

Emley- Bottomley, Sheppeard, Farrar, Lindley, Cowgill (c), Barks, Kiwomya, Haswell, Di Girolamo, Johnson, Stacey;
Subs used- Thompson, Ejupi, Sorhaindo;
Unused- Hanson, Murray.

Goal- Thompson (57')

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Hayden Lindley.