Notts County made it 3 out of 3 pre-season wins with a convincing win at Ilkeston FC.
In a game in which Notts dominated from the outset, they turned their superiority and control of the game into goals with a convincing victory.
There was an early chance for Notts as Trialist burst down the left side, and looked to be fouled, but his strength carried him through the challenge and his cross was well timed. With Notts players advancing, Rory Coleman managed to clear the ball for Ilkeston in a nick of time.
On 7 minutes, good work from Izale McLeod on the edge of the box saw him cut inside and create a yard of space for the shot, but his goal bound effort was deflected just wide of the goalkeepers right-hand post.
Alan Smith was the next Notts player to try his luck, but his floated effort from some distance was high of Durrant’s crossbar.
Genard Snijders went close on 12 minutes. Adam Campbell found him in a yard of space 18 yards from goal, but his fierce low drive was well saved by Ilkeston’s keeper, who was already busy even at this early stage.
Trialist then found space down the left and put in an accurate cross, finding the head of Izale McLeod 8 yards out but the striker couldn’t find the target.
On 25 minutes, Izale McLeod received the ball 25 yards from goal, and with a burst of pace beat his man Anton Brown. He let fly with a left footed shot that looked to be sailing into the top corner, but Durrant did well to save.
Notts were controlling the game for long spells against their Evostik Premier opponents, but Ilkeston won their first corner of the game on 35 minutes. Hollis did well to see out the danger after a run from pace winger Nathan Arnold, and it was Arnold who took the corner, Scott Loach flying out of his goal to punch clear.
Notts finally deservedly broke the deadlock on 42 minutes. Fantastic play from Wes Atkinson saw him burst through midfield, and his through ball found Izale McLeod who finished brilliantly with his left foot off the inside of the post.
It was nearly 2-0 just moments later, Snijders again involved as his deep cross missed Campbell in the middle but found Richards on the far side, who thundered an effort past Durrant but the ball struck Matt Baker on the line.
Notts continued to press and were camped in Ilkeston’s half as the whistle went for the break.
The second half started with a bang, Graham Burke trying his luck from 25 yards and his dipping effort cleared the cross bar by inches.
However it was then Ilkeston who turned up the pressure. Good work by Luke Foster played in Matt Baker on goal, but he scuffed his shot when he should have really done better.
Ilkeston continued to press, winning three corners in a row, but the Magpies defence was more than equal to the threat, clearing well.
Matt Tootle blazed a shot over the crossbar on 52 minutes.
But a minute later it was 2-0 to the Magpies. Aborah won the ball back in central midfield, and his delicate ball was played on by Forte in behind the defence to Jon Stead, who finished clinically with his left foot across the goalkeeper.
And it didn’t take long for Notts to make it three. Trialist again involved as his deep cross found an unmarked Alex Rodman at the back post. The keeper did well to save his initial volley but he did eventually managed to scramble the ball in at the near post despite Durrant’s best efforts.
There was a worrying few moments for Notts on 65 minutes as Forte landed awkwardly in the 6-yard box, however after treatment he was able to continue.
On 70 minutes, Ilkeston won a free kick 20 yards from goal, after a foul by Haydn Hollis. Left-back Rory Coleman stepped up to take it, but his effort curled past the far post with Loach having it covered.
It was Ilkeston again who were next to threaten. This time, a free kick from 35 yards was thumped by Mark Shelton, his effort troubling Loach with the shot stopper forced to tip over the bar.
Notts were made to wait until the 86th minute to see their dominance rewarded further. Aborah picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and ran at the defence, jinking his way through two challenges before finding Burke. He controlled the ball well and finished from 12 yards with his right foot, leaving the keeper no chance.
That was to be the last chance of the game, as Notts ran out comfortable winners.
Attendance: 678