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Published Date: 05 February 2009
By Rod Malcolm
STRIKER Amari Morgan-Smith is nearing fitness to boost scoring
prospects for promoting chasing Ilkeston Town.
He was leading scorer with seven goals by the end
of September, exciting scouts from Division One side Leeds United,
only to be struck by injury.
He came on briefly towards the end of Saturday's home win over
Ashton United, which kept the Robins just outside the play-off
zone with games in hand.
Caretaker coach Paul Hurst said: "Amari is doing some running
and getting back involved in it. Hopefully he will be getting some
football in the next week or so."
On Saturday, Ilkeston travel to Boston United in the fifth round
of the Unibond League Cup before they attempt once again to play
their Derbyshire Senior Cup tie at Mickleover Sports on Tuesday,
February 10, kick-off 7.45pm. Then they travel to Matlock Town in
the league.
Hurst was pleased with the win over Ashton, starting the day with
the same number of points and three games in hand.
"It was a game of two halves. In the first half, we set about
the game well, there were some very good passing movements and we
always looked dangerous.
"At 2-0, Marc Newsham missed a great opportunity. It was a
one-on-one and I would back him to score nine times out of ten but
he put it wide of the post.
"Realistically, it would have been game over. Two-nil is a
horrible scoreline and they got going in the second half, although
we had some good bits of play. It was a good win, another one, and
a good three points.
"There was some quality from their lad for the goal but we
did not concede from open play, whi
"In the first half we were well on top and could have scored
more. We will do better if we can turn opportunities into more
goals."
David Haggerty caused concern when he went down with a few minutes
left. But it was cramp and he recovered quickly.
Hurst and fellow caretaker coach Rob Scott are pleased that
Newsham will stay at Ilkeston until the summer, when Rotherham
United will make a decision about his full-time contract.
"I am sure he will get goals for us," said Hurst, who
played with him at the South Yorkshire club.
They are also happy to have signed Simon Harrison from Matlock,
another player who was developed at Rotherham before opting for
non-league football.
He arrives at a time when Neal Hooks is off to Australia, creating
a vacancy in the midfield. "Simon fits the bill; we have
another midfielder, another young lad hungry to do well,"
added Hurst.
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