City beat the Leaders

City extended the unbeaten run following a 3 v 0 win over Ilkeston Town.

As the top four all played each other this weekend, City needed a win to knock Ilkeston off the top and potentially replace them.

City started the brighter team and for much of the half kept the ball in Ilkeston's half of the pitch.

James Baldwin was a threat down the left hand side and continually left the Ilkeston right back in behind as he broke into the box

On 9 minutes it was Baldwin who struck. A long throw from Luke English into a packed penalty area, nodded down where Baldwin had been left all alone in front of goal and from 2 yards out pushed it over the line.

City continued to press and be on top, you could sense and just knew that a second was need whilst the tails were up.

After a few periods of fouls, injuries and water breaks came Half Time and City went in with the advantage.

Onto the second half and in 53 minutes as James Baldwin though he was away he was clipped with a nasty sound ringing around the ground. In true James Baldwin style he got up and was ready to carry on, meanwhile the referee pulls out a red card and Matt Baker surprisingly was sent on his way.

So a goal up and a man up, surely City would now take advantage?

But it was actually the visitors who started to pass the ball around and start pressing City back, as the week before, City found it harder against 10 men than they did against 11.

But then came the sucker punch to Ilkeston's hearts. Brilliant effort by Baldwin down the left to create the chance, sends it in to Harrison, Turton then with a touch before Birley takes his chance! 2-0 to City.

The Ilkeston heads were gone and City found space all over the park with chances falling to Birley, Turton and Baldwin.

10 minutes later and it was all over. Jordan Harrison jinked one way, then the other before what seemed like a decent back post cross, but instead the ball curls brilliantly into the top corner.

City move into 2nd on goal difference over Ilkeston and a point behind Westfields with two games in hand.

Next up for City, a trip to struggling Pershore Town in the Worcestershire Senior Urn on Tuesday night.