Rai Simons and his Ilkeston FC’s teammates have set-up a Quarter-Final with Guiseley AFC in the Conference Youth Alliance League Cup after defeating Luton Town at the New Manor Ground.
The academy players were more than ready for the test of Skrill Premier outfit Luton and brushed them aside with a narrow 1-0 victory.
It’s a the second time the young scholars have embarked on a cup run this season following their gallant efforts in the FA Youth Cup - a run which saw them reach the second round proper.
And manager Kevin Wilson could only speak highly of his players after backing up their win in the previous round against Mansfield, despite a “scratchy performance”.
He said: “It’s a good result for us today. We had a lot of the ball and could had finished the game off a lot sooner but missed a few chances.
“We never reached our best, yet managed to keep a clean sheet and win 1-0.
“So I suppose in that respect it was a scratchy performance. But it’s an excellent effort from the lads and we are delighted to be up against Guiseley in the next round.
“It’s good for the club and it’s good for the boys.”
Ilkeston took the lead through Curtis Burrows. It came as the product of some excellent build up play and the left-sided midfielder was at hand to finish off a good move.
Ilkeston squandered multiple chances to kill the game off, but the manager knows only too well that it’s part and parcel of their development.
He said: “We know there’s room for improvement but, that’s all part of what it’s about for these lads.
“We need to give them a bit of encouragement and nurture them and they need to understand that; week in week out their attitude and application has got to be right.”
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