Calvert-Lewin netted for the Blades with only five minutes of the match remaining to hand victory to United who fielded 23 different players throughout the course of the 90 minutes.
Whilst the hosts will be happy with the result, especially after recording an identical score line against our neighbours Sheffield Wednesday but whilst this was a match scheduled in order to start gaining match fitness the result more than flattered our opponents.
The headlines would have been congratulating Michael Higdon rather than an academy starlet had he converted his chances in the first half, his efforts were on target and destined to bulge the net. His first coming just 90 seconds into the match. A Harris corner was met by the head of the former Motherwell striker but was disappointed to see his header booted off the line. He was handed a second chance to score moments later but this time he headed wide at the far post.
Adkins had fielded a more recognisable starting XI in the first half with Neill Collins wearing a United shirt for the first time since they lost at Chesterfield last October and James Wallace returning from injury. Marc McNulty started in attack alongside Higdon with Jamie Murphy out wide.
Striker McNulty was busy in attack for the Blades but he was denied twice by Brazilian stopper Rachoni. At the other end Gordon looped an effort into the hands of Mark Howard. On the half hour mark Higdon again connected with Harris’ corner but his header was once again cleared off the line.
Rachoni was equal to Wallace’s header and Chris Basham saw his shot deflect wide as the Blades failed to punish their hosts in the first 45 minutes of play.
First half team: Howard, Freeman, Collins, McEveley (c), Harris, Campbell-Ryce, Basham J. Wallace, Murphy, McNulty, Higdon. Sub: Reed.
Che Adams and Kieran Wallace – both formerly with Ilkeston were added to the side in the second half. The entire XI was changed with more senior players Stefan Scougall and Jose Baxter also added. Florent Cuvelier was included also after an absence through injury and newly re-signed youngster Diego DeGirolamo was put to the test.
On 55 minutes Adams, who made his name scoring twice against Tottenham last season almost broke the deadlock but was denied by the legs of Rachoni who was making a good account of himself in the Ilkeston goal.
George Long was mostly unused in the second half and might as well have got the deck chair out in what was pretty much a quiet second 45 minutes. With ten minutes remaining the game livened up when Adams went so close to scoring and De Girolamo squandered his chance until the net finally bulged.
Wallace had marshalled the ball out of defence with the ball making its way through midfield via Adams and De Girolamo before CALVERT-LEWIN fired past Rachoni and into the bottom corner; 0-1. As the game drew to a close United continued to attack but failed to add to the score-line.
Second half team: Long, Dimaio, McGahey (c), K. Wallace, McFadzean, Scougall, Baxter, Cuvelier (Reed 80), Adams, Calvert-Lewin, De Girolamo.
Attendance: 1,278
Ilkeston head coach Gavin Strachan said: “Once again we’ve shown real promise against a good side. If you take the first halves of each of the Wednesday and United games, where we featured mostly players who are already signed up, we didn’t lose either.
“If anything a few of the lads are disappointed they didn’t get a result today as some of our attacking play was quite good. They’re probably a bit frustrated too because I’ve actually been asking more of them at times, even though they’re up against such good players.
“The games we’ve got coming up against Rossington and Bedworth will give us much more chance to get the attacking side of our game into action and our training will reflect that this week. I’m also hoping to tie up some deals for one or two of the trialists who have done really well.”
Sheffield United star Che Adams said: “It was great to come back and see so many familiar faces and even a bit strange to be playing here but not in an Ilkeston shirt!
“I’m hoping to get more football next season as I had a big taste of it last year, including in some big games. The new manager (Nigel Adkins) wants to give me a chance to show what I can do so hopefully I can make an impact and help get the club into the Championship, which is where we’re good enough to be.”