Saturday 14 September 2024
FA Cup – 2nd Qualifying Round
Hereford 1 Ilkeston Town 1
Ilkeston came close to producing a Cup upset against National League North, Hereford, after Tom Cursons’s 9th goal of the season had put them ahead. The Robins had to withstand some late pressure but held on for a second chance at the NMG.
Ilkeston started well and it was difficult to tell which side was from a higher league. The first real chance of the game fell to Hereford’s Usifu Ceesay but he dragged his shot wide. Ilkeston debutant George Wilkinson then did well to prevent a scoring opportunity for Hereford after Alex Babos set Tate Campbell free. Tom Cursons had Ilkeston’s first chance but his shot was over the bar. Ilkeston’s second debutant Jordan Stevens hit a powerful effort which Hereford keeper couldn’t hold but then reclaimed. Hereford hit back with a Tate Campbell effort which went wide and a Kyle Howkins header which was saved by Owen Mason before Babos spurned a good opportunity by lifting the ball over the bar. As half time approached Harvey Kirby-Moore created the opportunity for Cursons to slot the ball past Aaron Chapman and give Ilkeston an interval lead.
Hereford started the second period the stronger and Ceesay’s cross was headed just wide by Ahkeem Rose. On 65 minutes the Bulls drew level when Rose’s effort crashed against the post and Ceesay slammed home the rebound. Hereford then started to get on top but Ilkeston had a chance to retake the lead after a mix up between defenders Hawkins and Hudson allowed Cursons to break free before firing wide. On 82 minutes Hereford had a big penalty shout when Aaron Skinner went over in the box but he made too much of it and was booked for simulation. Three minutes from time Cursons could have won the game for Ilkeston. A well timed run saw him one on one with Chapman but his effort went the wrong side of the post. Right at the death Mason saved a cracker from Campbell and Ilkeston had the replay they deserved.
Written by John Attewell