Pitchero Non League

Darryl Thomas

...Division play-off finals in on Monday night.

Ilkeston went through to the First Division South final in style after hammering Sheffield FC 7-0 at the New Manor Ground in front of a crowd of 1,068.

What a time to chalked up a record victory for the new club!

Sheffield’s cause wasn’t helped a minute before half-time when Connor Higginson was shown a straight red after clashing with Laurie Wilson.

By then the Robins were already two-up and then turned on the style in the second period.

The home side went ahead after 27 minutes when Gary Ricketts headed in a cross from Jack Watts

Just 7 minutes later Watts himself got on the scoresheet when he headed home following a corner.

The Aussie youngster had a hand in five of the goals. His cross on the hour-mark set-up Daryll Thomas to make it 3-0 and then 6 minutes later a cross from Thomas was turned into his own net by visiting skipper Matt Barley.

Thomas made it five from Watts’ cross 2 minutes later and substitute Francis Green got in on the act on 76 minutes after a Ricketts` header rebounded off a post.

The Robins made it 7-0 10 minutes from when Matt Richards fired home arguably the goal of the game.

Ilkeston now await the winners of the game between Carlton Town and Leek Town on Wednesday.

If Carlton win they will meet Ilkeston at Stoke Lane on Saturday for the right to play Premier Division football next season. Conversely, if the Blues beat the Millers, they will then have to travel to the New Manor Ground for the play-off final.

Meanwhile, a more even contest on the night saw Curzon Ashton edge through at the expense of Garforth Town and earn a place in the First Division North play-off final.

Thirteen points separated the sides in the league, but the gap didn`t show at the Tameside Stadium in front of a crowd of 406.

It didn`t look good for the Yorkshire side, however, when Matty Kay gave the home side an early 2nd minute lead.

Andrew Villerman eventually equalised after 43 minutes, but the Tamesiders went into the break ahead, courtesy of Chris McDonagh`s goal right on the whistle.

Eleven minutes into the second period Garforth once again pulled back on level terms through Milton Turner, but try as they might, neither side were able to find a winner in normal time or in extra-time, so a place in Saturday`s final went down to penalties.

And Curzon triumphed comfortably from the shoot-out- going through 4-1 and now await the winners of tonight`s semi-final between Witton Albion and Farsley FC.

Tags: News | The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier First Division North

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