F A Cup 1st Qualifying Round Replay
Tuesday 19th September 2006 - 7:45 p.m. kick-off
Bromsgrove Rovers 0 Ilkeston Town 1
By Phil Baker

Bromsgrove Rovers seem to specialise in dramatic defeats in FA Cup matches as anybody who saw the famous Barnsley match will testify. OK there was less at stake in this game but to lose by an only goal in added time was cruel even if the visitors played well enough to deserve their win.

So let's start there. We were well past 90 minutes when Leon McSweeney started off up the left side of the pitch, Paul Carty saw the danger and homed in on the pacy winger only to completely missed his tackle, Chris McHale was miles away from Adam Muller who received McSweeney's pass and had no trouble hitting past a helpless Chris Taylor. Seconds later referee Mr Tavinder blew up; The F A Cup dream was over for another season.

This was a much more competitive match than last Saturday with both teams eager to get forward and creating early chances. First blood nearly went to Kevin Banner who forced Ben Scott into a good save on 5 minutes. Later on Scott was again in action saving a point blank effort from Nathan Lamey whilst at the other end Chris Taylor twice saved well from Adam Muller before Gareth Holmes then Leon McSweeney both hit the bar on 28 and 34 minutes.

Rovers were somewhat fortunate to go in level at half time but with James Smith and Liam McDonald on yellow cards. Perhaps that was why manager Rod Brown brought on Daire Doyle for Smith after the interval but it was McDonald who was in trouble again on 52 minutes when he tackled Gareth Holmes from behind earning a second yellow and an early shower.

Ilkeston then smelled blood and pulled out the stops in an attempt to take advantage of the spare man. However, despite playing good football and creating a string of chances, the ball would not go into the net. Indeed it was the home side who nearly stole the honours with nine minutes to go when Doyle put Lamey through and he fired over the bar.

Despite brave defending by Rovers and an inspired performance from John Snape in mid-field, it was the visitors who earned the right to play Rugby Town in the next round.

Rovers: Chris Taylor, James Smith (Daire Doyle 46 mins), Chris McHale, Paul Carty,
Carl Heeley, John Snape, Liam McDonald, Wayne Dyer, Neil Davis (Richard Burgess 69 mins), Nathan Lamey, Kevin Banner.
Subs not used: Joe Williams, Stuart Skidmore, Dean Coleman.

Ilkeston Town: Ben Scott, Alistair Asher (capt), Ritchie Butler (Chris Adams 47 mins),
Craig Gaunt, Barry Miller, Gareth Holmes, Martin Murray, Justin Walker, (Rick Brewer 85 mins), Adam Muller, Martin Carruthers (Sam Litchfield 69 mins), Leon McSweeney.
Subs not used: Joel Hodgkinson, Nigel Jemson.

Scorers: Robins - Muller 90+2 mins
Reds: Rovers - McDonald; Yellows: Rovers - Smith, Dyer

Attendance: 374
Referee: Mr L Tavinder (Cheddleton)

Baker's MoM for Rovers: John Snape