Basford United defeated their local rivals Ilkeston Town 2-1 at Greenwich Avenue in what proved to be a very dramatic bank holiday derby with two red cards and a winner at the death.

Tyrell Waite opened the score early for the Ambers, before the visitors thought they had a leveller in the second half through Tom Cursons. Just before the whistle however Ethan Stewart’s header was able to secure a fantastic three points for United.

As expected there was a frantic start to the encounter with the teams going end to end, but no dangerous chances were created as the intensity matched the electric atmosphere. Following difficult free kicks for both sides and very close call defending, a goal was eventually found by the home side, with Kacy Butterfield much to credit as he won the ball and delivered a sublime pass through to Waite, who shook off his marker and finished well to give the Ambers the lead in the 13th minute.

The pair continued to terrorise the Robins with another huge chance not long after, with Butterfield’s perfect cross reaching Waite in the box, but his powerful header was sent narrowly over the bar with the keeper rooted. Ilkeston began to create most of the pressure as time ticked on however, and a dangerous ball in the box from James Perch was deflected by Henri Wilder onto his own bar and into Saul Deeney’s hands.

Just before the break United thought they had a second as Waite’s parried shot was pounced on by Jordan Hallam, but the flag went up as the celebrations died down. It marked one of the last actions of the half however with Basford one to the good.

It was nearly a perfect start in the second half for the Ambers as Waite once again caused issues for the Ilkeston defence, as his deflected shot looped goalwards with the keeper nowhere near, but Tom Marshall managed to boot it off the line.

As the visitors began to up the pressure, Rev James suddenly found himself on the counter and through on goal, and Sam Parker could only bring him down and was subsequently sent off, leaving Ilkeston to look for a winner with 10.

Ultimately the disadvantage didn’t shake the Robins, as only moments after in the 69th minute, Cursons took advantage of a scrappy moment in the box and managed to poke the ball home, giving them an unlikely equaliser.

Yellow cards began to fly out as the game took a scrappy turn, with neither team able to capitalise on their set pieces. As added time loomed Kane Richards found himself suddenly through on goal through a neat Basford move, but his touch let him down and the shot was deflected behind.

The second chance however for the Ambers was far better, as Matt Thornhill marked his return from injury with a brilliant corner, and an equally impressive header from Stewart fired the Ambers into the lead again in the 86th minute, launching Greenwich Avenue into pandemonium.

A second straight red came in the dying minutes as Josh Barnes was deemed to have handballed on the halfway line. The Robins threw everything at the game, but it wasn’t enough and Basford emerged victorious on derby day.

MOTM: Ethan Stewart

ATT: 902

STARTING XI: Saul Deeney, Prince Mancinelli (Matt Thornhill, 46’), Henri Wilder, Josh Barnes, Victor Nirennold, Ethan Stewart, Rev James, Kacy Butterfield, Tyrell Waite (Nelson Aideyan, 94’), Jordan Hallam (Kane Richards, 75’), Ash Chambers (Tyler Dacres, 92’)

SUBS (not used): Kieran Preston (GK)