Bennett hat trick helps secure Lancaster win over Ilkeston

Lancaster City came out on top in pulsating encounter with Ilkeston at Giant Axe in the Northern Premier League.

The Dolly Blues came out 4-3 winners in a real end-to-end game of football which was enjoyed by a season-high home crowd of 706.

The tone of the game was set within the first six minutes with Ilkeston struck first after just 22 seconds. From kick off, Ilkeston kept the ball and a long ball forward saw their top goalscorer Thomas Cursons nip in around Harrison Beeden and poke it past an onrushing Andre Mendes.

It was not long until the Dollies were level. On four minutes Ilkeston could not clear their lines with Sam Bailey picking up the loose ball he switched the ball to Aaron Bennett who cut inside and his effort curled past the outstretched keeper.

Just two minutes later it was 2-1. Another Sam Bailey ball into the box, this time for Lewis Mansell who powered his header home. The pace of the game was maintained for the remainder of the half.

Nic Evangelinos fired over on 13 minutes and Colin Daniel almost capitalised on chasing down a Andre Mendes clearance but for all the huffing and puffing in the middle of the park, chances seemed to be at premium. This was until the 23rd minute.

A succession of corners for the Robins saw George Wilkinson hook the ball back into the danger zone but it evaded all defenders and attackers and ended up in the back of the net to level things up.

Then, again from a corner it was played to the back post and with the ball headed across the face of goal, Wilkinson was on hand to ensure the ball was in the back of the net to restore the lead for the visitors.

Aaron Bennett ensured the game went into half time level. Sam Bailey played the ball into the box from the right, Dylan Thompson brought it down and played it to Bennett from 20 yards out and in a similar position to his first goal, he did exactly the same, to make it 3-3 at half time.

Aaron Bennett completed his hat-trick and the scoring on 48 minutes.

An Ilkeston ball into the box was easily gathered by Andre Mendes and as the Robins had committed men forward, Mendes pumped the ball long to Bennett who bullied his way into the box, shrugged off a defender, and found the back of the net.

The action did not die down from there. Lancaster City were looking for a 5th and to kill the game off. A header from Beeden on 54 minutes was saved by Matt Yates as was a drilled effort from Lewis Mansell 3 minutes later.

An even better chance for Evangelinos on 61 minutes saw him catch an effort on the volley from a Sam Bailey delivery and his curling effort was just wide. Dylan Thompson was looking to get in on the scoresheet too, again Matt Yates on hand to make the save.

At the other end Ed Ikpakwu expertly blocked Colin Daniel's effort from a free kick and substitute Jonathan Wafula had two goes at goal from a corner, one blocked and the other saved at point blank range from Andre Mendes, with a more routine save from Jamie Walker as he let fly from 20 yards out.

The Robins were pushing for an equaliser, and their final chance came when Dec Erratt-Thompson played a wicked ball into the mix, but it evaded everyone and with that the chances and the game were done.

The win was the first since the away victory at FC United of Manchester in the middle of October.

Next up is a trip to Craik Park to take on Morpeth Town.