Notts travelled to the New Manor Ground an under-strength side; Kelvin Wilson and Emmet Friars both commiting to first-team duties at Bideford, David McGoldrick as good as having packed and left and the majority of last years crop having been released made for pretty poor reading on the recognised personnel front. However, Notts would welcome back Spencer Commons and young striker, Gareth Taylor - both still trudging down the long trail to recovery.
At early doors, Notts, having made wholesale changes to that of midweek's all-conquering Sutton slayers, struggled against a tenacious Ilkeston outfit determined on putting the spoilers on the County lads' school holiday.
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Ilkeston's domination on proceedings was epitimised no more so than in Robins' fan-favourite, Chris Thompson. The burly front-man put the pain to the County defence, striking the fear of God into the eyes of our fragile young defenders. And his persistence was sufficently rewarded when 'Tommo' latched onto an insightive through ball to lob the on-coming Notts 'keeper from outside the area.
And shortly before the break, there was more cheer for the Robins' faithful as that man Thompson doubled Town's lead as he headed in from a Chettle long-ball onto the under-side of the cross-bar.
HALF TIME: Ilkeston Town 2-0 Notts County XI
After the break, as expected, changes were made on both parts - notably former Forest shot-stopper, Pascal Formann turning out for the Robins in the second half; showing how the 'keeper - still on trial at Meadow Lane - fairs in semi-competitive action.
Notts came out stronger after the re-start, exchanging the favour of giving their opposition the run-about with Kris Nurse a particulary fiesty figure for the Notts - his stature proving slightly harder to handle than the majority of his team-mates'.
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Nurse again made his mark just moments later, this time on the shoulder of Ilkeston's Pascal Formann who was walked away moments later. Steve Chettle, might I remind you is an ex-Forest character, was placed between the sticks in front of a sparse County following which made for some good banter between a small selection of supporters. Town held out, however, for what was, judging on the performance from the semi-pro side, a deserved win.
FULL TIME: Ilkeston Town 2-1 Notts County XI
The reserve and youth eleven will travel to Gresley Rovers in their stage step of pre-season proceedings. Once again, NCM will keep you up-dated.
Note: May I reccomend last season's Ilkeston shirts available at just a fiver! A very good buy by all accounts, I know what I'll be wearing next Friday night!