Wednesday night saw us make our merry way to Worksops temporary home at the New Manor ground; home of Ilkeston Town fc.
Worksop's problems have got alot worse in recent weeks and it was touch and go to see whether or not they would get enough players to field a full 11. As it turned out the tigers only named three subs and one of those was the assistant manager.
I do like the Manor ground; for me its a ground with everything. The Robins club bar is nice and spacious and serves a great pint of Carlsberg Cold, plus we got three pints for just over £7 which is good in anybody's book. The kitchen is next door to the club, I have always found the food most palatable, however Mr and Mrs Waite said that on this occasion the chips and gravy were crap, it must be said however that both trays were empty before we left the club! Thanks to Mr Waite! I enjoyed my cheeseburger, an improvement from when I had one at the Worksop v Retford match
There is covering on all four sides of the ground and when the ground is full, as it was when we saw Ilkeston v Eastwood, it has a good atmosphere. Tonight the ground was anything but full, although a crowd of over 250 was seen as a good crowd considering the 70 mile round trip for Worksop's supporters.
We watched the first half of the match from the posh padded seats at the top of the main stand in the corner. The view up here really is first class and I can't remember the last time I sat in a padded seat at a football match. We were joined by a visiting Matlock offical and I took the chance to quiz him about one of their subs tonight; Ex playoff final Imp Dene Cropper
Dene cropper(in yellow) in action for the Imps in the 2003 playoff final
Dene was part of the side that got to the playoff final 2002-03 season. He started out as the first choice striker alongside Simon Yeo. He was never the most skillful of players, but he did a job of holding the ball up and bringing others into play. I remember him getting sent off on his debut against Kidderminster (away) and his great running style. He left the season afterwards but will always be remembered for the part he played in that playoff final side. Felice was always a fan of his through thick and thin and was gutted when he left us. He has been playing non league football ever since he left the Imps and missed the best part of the last couple of seasons with a bad injury. I asked the offical if Dene ever mentions that playoff final "Only about 50 times a week" he replied!!
Dene Cropper we salute you!
On to the match.
Matlock and Worksop were in similar places in the table so three points would be a huge boost for either side. Matlock were quick out of the blocks and could have had a couple of penalties in the first 20 mins or so. Ex Worksop and Gainsbrough Trinity keeper Adam Soullit made a couple of great saves for Matlock before they took the lead through Benger with a great lob from the edge of the box. Before then Worksop were just starting to get on top in the game, the goal was a body blow for the tigers.
I was chatting to a fellow Imps fan about our upcoming FA Cup tie at Telford when Matlock made it 2-0 when the Tigers keeper was beaten low down at his near post when he should have done much better. Hannah with the goal (another ex worksop player!).
HT 0-2
At half time I took a stroll around to the clubshop to purchase a badge. Worksop have 4 badges out this year all in different colour schemes. So far I have the black and green ones. On the way back round I saw Lincoln city player of the season 01-02; Justin Walker, in the crowd. Another player who should have done much better than he did.He was unlucky really as he always seemed to be at the wrong club at the wrong time as he should have played at at least League one level. His best moment was probably his last minute free kick away at Bristol Rovers in out 2-1 win there in 2001/02.
We stood behind the goal the tigers were attacking in the second half, and watched as the tigers started to get back into the game. They had a lot of the ball but didnt make Sollit do too much apart from a spell when they had a flurry of corners. Dene came on and it was he who made it 3-0 on 88 minutes with an unmarked header from only a few yards out.
All of this was to much for one supporter who shouted to the manager that he had seen more life in a Burtons shop window than watching this shower. At this point the manager charged down the touchline to offer the supporter the chance to discuss this outside in the carpark after the match, all in all not a good advert for the club or the game.
I am undecided about this; the manager has done a fantastic job under very very difficult circumstances at the club and is not in anyway responsable for the mess the club is in. On the other hand, the fan is having to attend home games 40 miles away and has paid money to watch his side conceed two very basic goals that had no right to be seen at this level of football.
If everybody at Worksop sticks together then I have no doubts they will come through this, as their first eleven is more than good enough for this division, if not, and the bickering continues, then you have to fear for the club.
Addmission £8
Programme £2 some very interesting articles about local football 8/10
Food Cheseburger £2 very good 8/10
Clubhouse 8/10
Ground 8/10
Match 7/10
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