NEWS

ASC ILKESTON are looking for new players as injuries and personal commitments have limited the numbers. If you are available to train every Monday evening at the new Rutland Sports Centre, and want to play in games against fellow supporters, then contact me at for more information.

Decathlon 3 ASC Ilkeston 1

Adam Shaw, Scott Cundy, Andy Golds, Scott Shaw, Mike Jones, Lee Francis, Steve Todd, Craig Lamont, Phil Crowe, Alex Mcphee, Steve Littlewood, subs - Danny Littlewood, Danny Haslam

The last time these two teams met the score was a 17-3 defeat for ASC.

ASC welcomed back Scott Cundy from injury, Adam Shaw made his debut between the sticks and Mike Jones played centre defence alongside scott shaw. ASC played a 4-5-1 formation with Alex Mcphee the lone striker with Steve Littlewood pushing forward from centre of the park.

ASC took the lead in this game through a free kick by Scott Shaw which found the back of the net. ASC comfortably soaked up pressure and pushed forward for a second goal. Mike Jones and Scott Shaw managed the back line well as ASC played the offside trap very well. It could have been 2-0 to ASC when a Scott Shaw free kick was headed home by Alex Mcphee only for it to be disallowed for off side. As the first half progressed ASC had the better of the play and only the offside trap was stopping the pace of Alex Mcphee and Steve Littlewood. Steve Todd and Craig Lamont were battling in the middle of the park and pushing balls wide to Lee Francis and Phil Crowe. Adam Shaw made 2 or 3 good saves for ASC and with long kicks down the middle caused problems for Decathlon.

At half time with ASC 1-0 up the half time team talk was straight forward for manager Alex Middleton "................." and that was it, nothing to say, we had played a very good first half and deserved to be in the lead.

In the second half Decathlon were pushing ASC back but ASC still played a very good offside trap, ASC were unlucky to conceed a goal when Decathlon broke through and a 20 yard shoot beat Adam Shaw in goal. Shortly after Adam was replaced between the sticks after picking up and injury, Craig Lamont resumed dutys in goal. 5 minutes later the pace of the game was catching ASC out as tired legs began to set in. Again a break through was finished off to make it 2-1.

ASC had a chance to make it 2-2 when they won a penalty, during the aftermath of the decision Decathlon were reduced to 10 men when a player raised his arm to Mike Jones as he pre-pared to take the kick. Mike put the penalty wide and ASC were on the defensive again. with 10 mins to go Decathlon made it 3-1. Scott Shaw left the pitch injured and ASC switched to a 3-5-2 formation. The subs of Danny Littlewood and Danny Haslam were making good runs down the wing and this pressure won ASC a free kick on the edge of the box. Andy Golds hit a low free kick to the right hand corner but put it wide.

With the final score 3-1 ASC can take great credit from this game and as the gaffer said at the end only fitness went against us today.

Man of the match for ASC (given by Decathlon) was Mike Jones who helped us out today and did a solid job at the back along side Scott Shaw