Whitby consign Ilkeston to fifth defeat of the season

Ilkeston’s opponents had picked up just one win all season going into Saturday’s encounter but it was the home side who were left celebrating as a combination of clinical finishing and solid defending did for Ilkeston.

The visitors did in fact take the lead early on as Lee Ndlovu rounded keeper Shane Bland before firing high into the net.

Daniel Udoh then beat two defenders but his shot failed to find the back of the net.

Whitby themselves were growing in confidence and went into the half-time break with the advantage as goals from Roberts and Dave McTiernan put them in the driving seat.

It could even have been even worse for Ilkeston but Matty Waters could only find the post with his penalty.

The home fans did not have to wait long for a third goal though as Roberts found the net shortly after the break for his second of the afternoon.

To their credit, the visitors continued to press with Ndlovu a constant threat, while half-time substitute Jonathan Edwards saw his curling effort saved.

But with home keeper Bland marshalling the troops well at the back, the home side continued to hold firm and extended their advantage when Roberts completed his hat-trick.

The sixth goal of the game went the way of the visitors as JJ Blake held his nerve from the spot to give Bland no chance.

The latter was then called into action again to deny Ndlovu, although the Ilkeston man’s shot was straight at him.

And with that went the visitors’ last big chance of the match as Whitby picked up their second home win of the campaign and moved just one place below 19th-placed Ilkeston.

Ilkeston: Durrant, Doyle, Luto, Gordon, Burgess, Baker, Harness (Coulson), Blake, Ndlovu, Udoh (Edwards), Williams. Subs not used: Marshall, Burrows, Rachoni