I was so pleased to see Rotherham achieve success at Wembley and I was especially chuffed for Ben Pringle...
I saw him play for Ilkeston in 2009 and even wrote a poem about his performances, which I have reproduced below.
I have also uploaded only extracts from my match reports from that year: Ilkeston v Eastwood, Kendal and Nantwich, illustrating how influential Ben Pringle was at that time.
I have posted odd images of his successful penalty at Wembley too...
I hope he enjoys the posts.
Congratulations, mate...
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Pringle knows he's going to play at St Andrews next season.
Unlucky, Ben... |
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| The relief, the Rotherham victory and an emotional Ben Pringle... |
The Evening A Pringle Smiled
The vehicle rattled,
exhaustively,
Causing me to look up
from the falling shreds
Of chicken salad’s
lettuce
Littering a Costa
serviette
And I tarried,
Smiling as I
recognised the hair.
The midfielder
battled, indefatigably,
Forcing me to look up
from the scribbled notes
Of increasing
goalmouth incidents
Lettering in thinned
notebook
And I queried,
Marvelling at the
left foot, chillingly rare.
The smile glittered,
imperceptibly,
Pressing me to look
down at the significant relief
Of victory and
successful progress
Loitering near the
touchline
And I envied,
Wondering at his
pleasure, too desperate to bear…
PeteRay
April 2009
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| Ben Pringle scores against Nantwich in a play-off final, 2009... |
Ben Pringle,
fair-haired Ilkeston player, arrived in a jalopy, worked so hard for the cause
and after watching him on previous occasions, I didn’t think he ever smiled! He
does though. And Ilson reached the play-off final, in a bid to reach the
Conference North, April 2009, v Nantwich.
Friday Good For Attracting Local Constabulary
The car-park attendant was in a total whirl at 6 15pm, even
attempted to hand me a letter addressed to him, rather than take my cash. I
brought him down to earth and paid my customary pound, which may have sustained
somebody’s beer money for an hour or so, for who knows what happens to it? Does
anyone really tally the number of unofficial vehicles to the cash collected?
Guess not. He was certainly in for one horrendous evening, as the parking-lot
overflowed onto a soccer pitch behind the goal at the clock-end of the Ilkeston
stadium and then became jammed by police vehicles, due to the need for
reinforcements being drafted in on a Good Friday evening to settle
‘differences’ between Ilson and Eastwood ‘followers’.
I sought the fellow who filched another pound from innocent
spectators who wanted to sit down and I was handed a slip of paper marked ‘Car
Park’. Hmm. Odd that one pays in the car-park to leave one’s vehicle, upon
receipt of no ticket at all then pay another pound to sit in a stand, for which
one receives a car-parking ticket. I think I understand. I sure like the style.
Yet the very people who stood and caused the trouble at the ground, presumably
necessitating a considerable payment to the police authorities to quell the
rioting, paid the flat-rate. My extra pound helped to fund the plodding
stewarding, no doubt. Ah, I felt the word ‘MUG’ lit up across my forehead.
There were Derby and Forest fans near me in the stand and
with the eclectic local accent taking over my evening, I felt about as
comfortable as a sheep in a Safari Park. However, I did chat to an elderly chap
who once played for Ilson, once existing on his ordinary job’s wage of not much
more than two pounds per week. Interesting. Supporters watched agog as
latecomers abandoned cars wherever there was space near the ground and I was
reminded of a car-boot sale, where vehicles are angled like the untidy mosaic
tesserae of an inept apprentice in ancient Rome. The police simply looked on
and probably admired the patterns from their sightseeing helicopter, which
roared above, to increase the volume to old Wembley proportions.
The game was tense. Very tense. Eastwood were shaken by
Ilson’s defensive resilience, the lurking danger of speedy winger Duncum and
the craft of flaxen-haired Pringle. The Badgers deserved nought and were justly
rewarded. Exiting the car-park was surprisingly slick, for little had moved
already, although the manoeuvres I was forced to make to extricate my car were
reminiscent of Bob Monkhouse’s ‘Golden Shot’: ‘Right a bit, left a bit…’ I
threaded a path between the fearful and threatening glances of leaving
supporters, the Eastwood fans’ bellowing voices fading into the Easter evening
as I headed hastily towards the M1 motorway.
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| Miss this and the Millers will certainly lose the play-off final... |
Tense Battle Edged By Robins As Badgers Toil Under
Helicopter Lights
Ilkeston 1
Eastwood 0
Att: 2288
This was a tough encounter and Ilkeston recovered from a
sluggish start to bring Pringle and Duncum into the game, net the winner and
look the more adventurous outfit, despite Eastwood’s later aerial bombardment.
Police were called in to sort out troublemakers in the impressive crowd of 2288
and the unusual sight of a helicopter hovering overhead only added to the
dogged drama of the evening. The visitors failed to utilise the abilities of
Meikle and Todd enough on the flanks and resorted to the long-ball tactic to
substitute Smith, after the break, who did cause some discomfort to the Robins’
defence, although it has to be documented that Weaver and Murphy stood
remarkably firm, with their full-backs Harrison and Hurst, sweeping with real
effect. Douglas ran tirelessly in attack for Ilkeston, Pringle was often
effective in possession but Church was simply everywhere, snaffling possession
on numerous occasions.
The all-important winning goal was scored in the 28th
minute and it stemmed from a fine effort at goal by the speedy Duncum, who
found himself a little room, centrally, just outside the Eastwood penalty-box.
The winger was astute enough to curl a low shot past Deakin’s dive but the ball
struck the right upright and play moved towards the left where Pringle latched
onto the loose ball and fired it low across the goalmouth, for the lurking
Newsham to turn into the net from close range and wrong-foot Deakin. Duncum’s
pace was a problem for Asher and Pringle’s very lively presence was causing
Dunning and Foster to defend desperately on occasions. Harrison’s right-wing
centre led to Pringle freeing Duncum on the left and this time the winger’s
cross-shot was clawed away spectacularly by the leaping Deakin.
A smart pass by Pringle, who was benefiting from Church’s
unselfish graft in midfield, found Duncum on the left but as the winger turned
inside, probably looking for a shot, his effort was blocked. Hume headed past
the right upright from Chapman’s right-wing corner then Morgan-Smith replaced
Newsham for Ilkeston and Sleath replaced Istead. A decent piece of offensive
play on the ground by Smith, who broke tackles, set up the below-par Knox but
Adamson held the near post, 15 yard drive comfortably.
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| Pringle's left boot does what it does well: strikes a dead-ball... |
Pringle Powers Robins Past Rugged, Resilient Kendal
Ilkeston 4 Kendal
3 aet
Att: 653
This hard fought play-off semi-final at the New Manor Ground
was often a war of attrition as both sets of midfield players scythed into the
action, although rarely was the game dirty. The late sending off of Kendal
full-back Byrne may have been harsh, for Morgan-Smith fell rather dramatically
as he raced away on the break but overall, Ilson played the better football but
were shaken by the effort and abundant commitment of their visitors, who slung
several high balls into the home goalmouth in the later stages. No-one could
have blamed them, for Murphy and Weaver appeared shaken by Adamson’s rather
unconvincing display in goals. Duncum’s pace, Cahill’s guile and motion-man
Pringle were immense for the Robins and although Church’s distribution was
sometimes inaccurate, his trench warfare was really effective as the match
reached its climax. It was fitting that Murphy atoned for an earlier error to
send his team into the final but visiting ‘keeper Newnes kept the score down
with a really decent performance.
Pringle worked the opening on the left for Duncum to make a
penetrating run into the penalty-box but instead of shooting, he played a
short, square pass to Sleath, who controlled the ball, maybe 9 yards out and
clipped a smart right-footer beyond the helpless Newnes and into the right
corner of the Kendal net. It should have been 2-1 to Ilson moments later, when
Pringle’s lob sent Cahill clear but Newnes reacted well to turn the striker’s
16 yard rising drive over the crossbar; maybe Cahill could have made more
ground but the shot was spectacular!
Half-time, losing 2-1, knowing they should have been ahead,
seemed to deflate the Robins but it was they who had provided the better
passing and pace, whereas the visitors had displayed resolution, effort,
strength and resilience. Kilford and Warbuton were solid in midfield and Hallam
and Standley really powerful in defence, in front of their capable goalkeeper.
For the hosts, Weaver and Murphy continued to appear uncomfortable but the
full-backs were fairly strong; Pringle was wholehearted, if a little wayward
with a few passes, Duncum’s pace was again a threat, with Cahill a pain for
defenders and Sleath always offered an outlet.
Kendal began the second-half by nearly adding to the score,
for Hallam rose to head Byrne’s right-wing corner past the right upright but
then Cahill maybe ought to have done better than head Pringle’s deflected
left-wing free-kick some way over the bar. Wisdom had a brush with the official
and was cautioned for a foul then Newnes did well to cling onto Pringle’s
right-wing free-kick. In the 59th
minute, Ilson regained parity. Duncum slipped inside from the right flank,
where he had started the second period but went down under a challenge from
Hallam, allowing Cahill to step forward and clip a neat, rising penalty inside
the right post. On 61 minutes, Kendal were behind! Sleath fed Duncum on the
right, Cahill challenged for the centre, which fell neatly for the unmarked
Newsham, who clipped his shot past defenders guarding their goal from 12 yards.
Extra-time saw tired legs and Church breaking Kendal’s moves
down often; Cahill and Pringle worked an opening for Duncum but his drive was
deflected then Harrison fed Pringle to supply Cahill but the striker’s shot was
badly wide of the left upright. A fine run on the right flank by Istead took
him to the bye-line but Cahill, just beyond the far post, was unable to keep a
difficult header down and the number nine was subsequently replaced by Douglas.
Neynes held a low near post cross by Harrison and the steady Hurst made a
Telling tackle on Wisdom, who had broken through a gap on the left. The 15
minutes ended and the game had become a slog, yet the Robins grasped the
victory in the 108th minute, just after the influential Hobson had
headed Byrne’s centre too high. Pringle took a left-wing corner, Weaver rose at
the far corner of the six-yard box and his header down was merely touched in at
the left post by a joyous Murphy, with recovering ‘keeper Neynes helpless.
Morgan-Smith broke clear, as Kendal were exposed from
pushing forward and Byrne’s tackle from behind saw the replacement fly for
several metres before sprawling on penalty-area grass; Byrne was dismissed, the
hardy Standley was cautioned and Pringle wasted the free-kick. Istead fed
Douglas, whose drive flew across the goalmouth then Douglas was fed by Pringle
but this time the substitute drove a right-footer over the crossbar from 16
yards. The striker then missed a great opportunity to settle the affair.
Another smart and incisive Istead run took him into the penalty-area, inside-left
channel but unselfishly he slipped a pass right to the unmarked Douglas, just
two yards from the right upright but the striker missed his kick before
planting the second attempt into the side-netting as Neynes threw himself down.
Pringle was the enabler, who took time in the corners, Kendal were unable to
respond and the Robins were in the play-off final!
The game was a treat, involving heroism, muscle, goals, a
sending-off, some slick football and a barrel of passion.
Credit to all the players for making the evening, if not scintillating,
certainly absorbing. Duncum was maybe less effective on the right and yet his
work created the second and third goals, Pringle was dogged, the kid in class
who wants to do everything, be everywhere and basically be ‘in your face’ and I
actually saw him smile with three minutes left… His delivery was often tough to
defend and I would have handed him the MVP award. The defence had tightened,
despite the presence of the powerful Hallam and Adamson was protected well
during the extra period.
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| Jones is well beaten by Pringle's penalty... |
Weaver Dabs Nantwich Resistance And Sews Up Promotion
Ilkeston 2
Nantwich 1 aet
Att: 1794
This play-off final was devoid of attacking thrills and
spills until extra-time when Morgan-Smith missed chances and left Ilson fans
desperate for the final whistle, as Nantwich lumped high balls towards the
fearing Adamson, forcing some desperate heading by the previously off-colour
Weaver and the dependable Murphy. The skipper had netted the all important
winner in the overtime period, to relieve Cahill, whose error had gifted
Nantwich an embarrassing equaliser and rewarded Pringle, who emerged from an
inaccurate performance to feature as the game’s MVP, rampaging along the left
flank on several occasions, in the position one would have expected Duncum to
impress and providing the curling centre for Weaver to convert in front of
stolid, injured goalie Jones. Ilson had failed to test the immobile ‘keeper,
after he was hurt making a mess of Sleath’s speculative drive, which allowed
Pringle to snaffle the opening goal. Ilkeston were given a tough time by their
visitors, driven on by O’Loughlin at the back and partnered by the criminally
unhurried Tinson, who formed a formidable barrier in front of their limping
custodian.
Although Pringle’s typical hooked passes were ineffective by
the 10th minute, it was the energetic midfielder who opened the
scoring at that point. Duncum’s spade work fed Church inside from the left and
the destructive midfielder laid the ball square for Sleath, who made room for a
left-foot shot from 18 yards. Jones, the large Nantwich goalie, fell right but
made such hard work of the save that he spilled the ball, almost in slow-motion
and there was the lurking, into everything Pringle to smuggle a close range
rebound over the Nantwich goal-line.
Pringle stormed into the match and after a powerful
left-wing run, his fine centre was simply watched by Morgan-Smith and Duncum
and the chance went begging then Jones, really struggling, dropped Duncum’s
right-wing centre, under pressure from Newsham, who was harshly penalised for a
foul on the solid, if ailing ‘keeper. After a set-piece by the visitors, Church
was dismissed for a clash with O’Loughlin, who cannily lay prone as the Ilson
midfielder was singled out by the referee. The hosts looked deflated, Nantwich
delighted but it was Ilson who threatened next when another rush out on the
left by Pringle led to an unlikely glancing header by Duncum, which was
collected in the large left glove of Jones, reaching upwards, like he was
collecting his clock-card from a rack at work.
The game ought to have been made safe just 6 minutes from
the end as Morgan-Smith intercepted the ball and ran for goal; he was fouled in
the penalty-area by Tinson, who was booked and the striker snatched the ball,
prevented Pringle from taking the spot-kick and despite his earlier wasteful
finishing, seemed selfishly determined to be the hero. Not surprisingly, given
the situation, the barely able to walk Jones fell right to parry the poor
penalty-kick aside. Nantwich made one final effort to retrieve the situation
and Whittaker headed Smith’s long ball towards Lennon, who failed to connect
and Adamson collected then Tickle’s last gasp centre from the left was headed
straight to Adamson by Kinsey and the game ended with Pringle taking the ball
into channels to waste time.
Pringle smiled again! A lot! Weaver, despite earlier
frailties had won the game with his header but credit to Nantwich, for their
serious effort, against an Ilson team which was a pale shadow of its
league-form self. Cahill’s indiscretion gave the visitors hope, as did
Morgan-Smith’s wild finishing but the right team was promoted and Pringle must
take the plaudits, rising from poor form to wrestle the advantage for his
Robins and the delight was there for all to see. Jones was fortunate that
Ilkeston were formless and Adamson was fortunate that his one fine save was
critical, masking some indecision- his one weakness, you know..!
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| The frowning Ben Pringle's penalty hits the Orient net... |
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| Job done and the Millers are back in the shootout... |
