The Lions were good value for a convincing 2-0 win at the Microlise New Manor ground, writes Ivor Timmis.
The starting line-up was unchanged from the 1-0 Emirates FA Cup win against Bradford (Park Avenue) but there was a welcome return to the fold for Jordan Thewlis.
The start of the game was rather untidy with the Lions gradually gaining ascendancy in territory and possession. The Robins had two well struck shots from distance but both cleared the bar before Lebrun Mbeka met a right-wing corner firmly into the ground drawing a fine save from the Ilkeston keeper Sam Wilson.
Eliot Owen got on to a second ball from another corner but was soon crowded out.
The opening goal came after 25 minutes when Amir Berchil cut inside from the left, releasing a fine shot from just outside the area. His shot took a slight deflection and bounced down off the under side of the bar. The referee initially played on before being alerted by the linesman and awarding the goal. There were no protests from the Ilkeston players, so it was presumably a clear-cut decision.
The Lions probed for the rest of the half, with Berchil and Jay Rollins a constant threat on the wings and Kallan Murphy running hard in the channels.
Right on the cusp of half-time, Rollins turned awkwardly in the box. It looked innocuous at first, but he had to be replaced by Jack Emmett. I spoke to Jay after the match and he was unsure as the nature of the injury, though his ankle was very swollen.
The injury prompted a reshuffle with Emmett taking up a central role and Cam Wilson moving to the left.
There was still time for Wilson to hit a free kick over the bar and to miss narrowly with a shot to the near post before the referee blew for half time.
The Lions had dominated play without fully capitalising on their superiority.
Ilkeston came out of the blocks fast in the second half forcing a number of corners which the Lions, with Owen prominent, defended well.
The Lions slowly reasserted authority and Thewlis entered the fray as Murphy left the field injured.
At 1-0, victory was far from secure and we had to wait until the 70th minute for the decisive second.
Wilson took a free kick on the left-hand corner of the area and drove a low ball towards the near post which was deflected into the net by Thewlis with a deft flick.
The second goal seemed to suck the life out of Ilkeston and the Lions moved into cruise control, making further substitutions: Frankie Sinfield for Berchil; Jack Tinker for Charlie Staniland and Paul Iggulden for Ollie Brown.
Berchil limped off the pitch but assured me later that he would be fit for Saturday.
A fine exchange of passes sent Lucas Odunston into the area with a clear shooting chance, but he opted for a low cross which came to naught.
Sinfield, with his first touch, took a free kick on the right-hand corner of the area, curling a beautifully flighted ball towards the far post. Unfortunately, it evaded everyone and came back off the post.
The three points took the Lions up to third, though Ian Richards is more focused on averaging two points per game (I originally wrote two pints per game there), which we are achieving with a little to spare.
There is an exciting week in store with league games against early pacesetters Avro (away), Cleethorpes (home) and the long journey to Leiston for the Emirates FA Cup fourth round qualifying. It is a good time to be a Lions fan.
Ilkeston Town 0-2 Guiseley | Tuesday 6th October 2026 | New Manor Ground
Attendance: 308
Team: 1. Jack Hall, 2. Lucas Odunston, 3. Ollie Brown (82′ Iggulden), 4. Harrison Hopper, 5. Elliot Owen, 6. Lebrun Mbeka, 7. Jay Rollins (42′ Emmett), 8. Charlie Staniland (78′ Tinker), 9. Kallan Murphy (66′ Thewlis), 10. Cam Wilson and 11. Amir Berchil (76′ Sinfield).
Subs: 12. Paul Iggulden, 14. Jack Tinker, 15. Jack Emmett, 16. Frankie Sinfield and 17. Jordan Thewlis.
