Report & Pictures John Hopkins
Warrington Rylands were held 2-2 in an ill-tempered affair at Ilkeston Town, who equalised in the 11th minute of stoppage time with nine men on the pitch.
Ilkeston, who haven’t lost a match since a defeat by Cleethorpes on 16th September, began the game as though this would be their 5th win in a row, but the in-form Ben Hardcastle had other thoughts after 9 minutes. Hardcastle powered the ball past Alfie Roberts from a really tight angle to upset the home side.
The hosts began to pile on the pressure and Luke Pilling in the Warrington goal was repeatedly called into action. Pilling received a yellow card, though, when he ran into Sam Essien, who had chased after a rebound from a Patrick Gamble clearance. However, Essien was running away from goal and outside the box so, despite the calls for a red card from a very vocal crowd, he remained on the pitch.
When a loose ball dropped to Harvey Kirby-Moore, he only had to tap it in from close range for the equaliser.
After the break Neil Reynolds brought on Ben Hough and Jake Burton and soon Warrington began to take control. Tempers were becoming rather fractious as the referee allowed play to continue and this soon became a feature of the match.
Ben Hardcastle scores
Undeterred, a pass from midfield by the ever-working Alex Kiwomya met Burton running down the left wing. Burton’s speed took him past his marker allowing him to cross into the goalmouth where the ever-present Hardcastle was waiting, and Rylands took the lead once again.
As the game progressed, the Robins were becoming more and more irate and when Pilling was slow to pick up the ball two players both ran straight into him. This was the catalyst that started many minutes of brawling.
Reno appeared to be the target of their aggression as both management and players went for him; surprisingly, he received a red card along with Sam Essien and Rooney Youmbi.
When play continued, Ilkeston seemed incensed, but Warrington threw their bodies on the line to hold on to their lead. A long clearance was sent back into the Rylands half by goalkeeper Roberts and a speculative shot by Robbie Fox from the edge of the box sailed into the top corner in the 101st minute for the proverbial ‘Sucker Punch.’
The Robins celebrated as though they had just won the league but, once again, this turned into another brawl.
This was certainly a game where The Blues could feel aggrieved that they had lost two points, whereas Ilkeston were celebrating a draw.
Warrington Rylands remain in second place in the league, having briefly taken the top spot until that equalising goal. They now have two training sessions to reflect on what has happened and re-assert their camaraderie for the long journey to Cleethorpes next Saturday.
Hardcastle celebrates his second goal
