With Asterdale being flooded this FA Cup 1st round proper tie had been moved to Risley. However upon arrival, it was also deemed unplayable, nearby Draycott kindly offered their facilities and surprisingly there was a good crowd of around 90. Unfortunately the grass was quite long so there was never going to be flowing football.

It was the visitors who had the first opportunity in the 11th minute when Abby Hurst headed a corner goal bound from 10 yards, but keeper Sue Shaw saved just under the crossbar. Cathryn Earle was fouled just outside the area and from the resulting 20 yard free kick by Natalie Ennis, Leicester keeper Sabrina Clarke did well to tip the ball over the bar. Natalie was in the action again soon after at the other end of the pitch with a superb tackle in her own area to dispossess Jodie White, before calmly playing the ball off Abby Hurst for a throw in. In the 21st minute Vicky Lines set up Catryn Earle who's shot from the edge of the area was blocked for a corner. This resulted in Natalie Ennis having strike at goal from 20 yards which Sabrina Clarke pushed past the right hand post. There was a lucky escape for "The Reds" in the 24th minute when Helen Bradley unfortunately played the ball right into the path of Jodie White, but "The Foxes" striker fired past the left hand post as Sue Shaw narrowed the angle. In first half injury time Rachel Seneschall replaced Kirsty Chadwick who had suffered a foot injury.

After the restart Nikki Sheldon's corner in the 49th minute found Cathryn Earle on the edge of the area who played a lovely chip over the defense to Natalie Ennis but unfortunately she slipped. In the 59th minute Beccy Smith replaced Helen Bradley in defense. Lynn Cresswell made a sensational clearance on the line after Jodie White had rounded the keeper to the left before firing into the net only to see the Ilkeston captain appear from nowhere to miraculously thwart her effort. Leicester made another change in the 72nd minute, when Sam Clarke replaced Jodie White. Back came Ilkeston in the 75th minute when Nikki Sheldon played in Kelly Callard on the left hand edge of the area and her well struck volley produced a good save from Sabrina Clarke. Sue Shaw was caught out in the 83rd minute but Sherry Williams wasted the chance. Leicester made their final substitution in the 3rd minute of injury time when Abby Mottram replaced Abby Hurst.

Goal less at full time meant the statutory 15 minutes each way over time and it was the visitors who had the first chance of this period early on, but Erica Preston shot straight at Sue Shaw from close range. Ilkeston seemed a little hard done by in the 93rd minute when Leicester captain Annie Rudkin handled the ball but the referee Mr. Hatfield deemed this unintentional and she played in Rachel Seneschall who ran on to round the keeper and slot the ball into an empty net to take a 0-1 lead.

In the final period Ilkeston had their best chance of the game when Sarah Holford played in Vicky Lines who was clear through on goal but Sabrina Clarke was quick off her line to make a good save at her feet. In the 117th minute Ilkeston brought on another striker when Kirsty Capill replaced defender Sarah Holford for a final push, but it wasn't to be.

Whilst the standard of play left a little to be desired, both sides played bravely for 2 hours in difficult conditions, which made for an entertaining cup tie. We wish Leicester City well in future rounds.

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