First visit of the season to see the Millers, and it could well be the last! Not only was there the ever pervading, pungent stench that one associates with the ground, but the interminable drum banging from one corner of the ground tends to leave one thinking "this is not for me".
The teams play in the Northern Premier League, Carlton in Division One South, Ilkeston in the Premier Division - and as the game progressed it was fair to say there wasn't a lot to choose between the teams.
There were a couple of decent chances created in the first period, Julian Topliss hitting the bar for Carlton and Liam Hearn missing a sitter from 3 yards for the visitors. The Robins' keeper made a decent save from a long range effort, but he saw his team take the lead on 40, a Matt Baker power header from Dwyer's cross. H-T 0-1
Cartlton were on level terms with just 5 minutes of the second half played - Lusamba picking out Josh Rae who volleyed the ball into the bottom corner of the goal. There followed a lot of changes in personnel and this never helps the flow of the game - but that's all part of the PSF raison d'etre, after all..
The home team secured victory with almost the last kick of the game, youngster Kyle Stovell blasting the ball home after the Ilkeston defence had failed to clear effectively a Carlton free-kick. F-T 2-1
Sat with old friend Trevor Bailey during the second half - Trevor used to take Eastwood Town to away games on his coaches - we had a lot of good times a few years ago - and it was good to reminisce a little. The good old, bad old days !!!
South Normanton up next - they entertain Belper Town on Thursday 21st July - kick off 7:45pm.