Nailers dominate to reach final

The Nailers have an excellent record against teams from the Blue Square North but this was arguably their most impressive as they matched Kevin Wilson’s side in all areas of the pitch, and were the better team especially in the first half.

Luke Fedorenko came into the side in place of cup tied Jordan Hall, and there was a surprise inclusion on the substitutes bench as Krystof Kotylo returned to help the Nailers through a player shortage, and he was to play an important role after coming on for Simon Mirfin after 27 minutes.

In front of a disappointing crowd of just 172 people it was clear from the off that the Belper players were up for this semi final, and they raised their game to match the opposition who started at a frantic pace.

Attempts on goal from either side were at a premium as they fought to keep possession in the early stages, and it was Simon Mirfin who had the tie’s first direct shot with a looping effort in the 9th minute that Dan Lowson collected easily.

Lee Stevenson tried to catch the Robins’ ‘keeper off his line in the 15th minute and his 40 yard effort wasn’t too far away from causing embarrassment.

But Ilkeston danger man Amari Morgan-Smith brought the first serious save of the game from Adam Ogden with a fiercely struck angled drive that he managed to parry and Jack Watts put the loose ball wide.

Belper were excelling at accurate one touch passing at this stage of the game and in the 30th minute Ollie Ryan used considerable skill to turn his defender and send in a low cross that caused panic in the Ilkeston six yard area.

The Nailers kept the ball well and used it wisely all evening but they were nearly caught when Luke Fedorenko lost possession to Matt Godden in the 31st minute, but fortunately his 20 yard drive swerved away from the far post.

However Fedorenko was seeing plenty of the ball on the right side and was a frequent outlet as the Nailers kept up the pressure.

He supplied an excellent cross in the 39th minute that caused more confusion in the Robins’ penalty area, and then the deserved break through came in the 39th minute when his free kick was brilliantly headed home by Tom Naylor.

Belper kept their heads until half time and then steadied themselves for the expected onslaught in the second period.

It took time in coming because the Nailers resumed the second half as they had finished the first, and could have extended their lead after a great tackle from Naylor (pictured) in the 56th minute put Ollie Ryan in possession but his shot went just wide.

Jon Froggatt put over a tantalising cross in the 60th minute which again the Robins’ defence were fortunate to keep out of the net, then Paul Dempsey heralded a better spell for the home side when he sent a fierce drive straight at Adam Ogden in the 70th minute.

Froggatt nearly made Ilkeston pay for pushing too many men forward in the 74th minute when he hit a searing effort just over the cross bar following a swift Belper break in the 74th minute.

But the Nailers rode their luck in the 83rd minute when Matt Godden crashed a 15 yard shot against the underside of the cross bar and somehow in the ensuing scramble, Belper managed to get the ball clear.

Then came a series of dangerous corner kicks that heightened the increasing anxiety of the watching Belper support, but each one failed to result in a direct effort on goal and gradually the pressure subsided.

Instead of finishing the game under the cosh, it was the Nailers who played out the remaining minutes in full control to round off a truly excellent display.

Belper Town can now look forward to a day out at Pride Park Stadium!

Ilkeston Town: Lowson, Murphy, Colemen, Burge, O’Loughlin, Waterfall, Green, Dempsey, Watts, Morgan-Smith, Godden. Subs not used: Bonner, White, Lloyd, Holmes, Coombes.

Belper Town: Ogden, Colliver, Adams, Naylor, Harcourt, Haigh, Fedorenko, Stevenson, Froggatt, Ryan (Wilson 85), Mirfin (Kotylo 27). Subs not used: Hudson, Warren, Pride.

Referee: G Mellor (Derby)

Attendance: 172

Man of the Match: Tom Naylor

Match Action:
http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/IlkstnTwnA0910DSC/index.html