Dale Eve was named man of the match in his debut for English non-League side Ilkeston at the weekend.

The Bermuda goalkeeper is hoping to get his football career back on track after signing for the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division side until the end of the season.

His first game for the Derbyshire club ended in a 2-1 defeat away to Barwell who scored against the run of play through Callum Ball, a former Derby County striker.

Ilkeston equalised when Dexter Atkinson broke free and supplied a neat finish before half-time.

Eve, a former Stoke City Academy player, made several good saves during the first period, tipping one shot over the bar and a double save from the ensuing corner kick.

Ilkeston had plenty of possession put were unable to take their chances and fell behind when Brady Hickey snatched the points for Barwell.

Eve has been without a club since leaving Vanarama National League side Forest Green Rovers before the end of last term.

The 21-year-old has spent the past few months playing for Dandy Town in the Premier Division.

Eve joins several other Bermudians at Ilkeston, who play in the seventh tier of the English game — including Jaylon Bather, Tevahn Tyrell and David Jones Jr.

Eve initially signed a one-year deal at Stoke in 2012, which was extended for another two years as reward for a string of impressive performances for the club’s under-21s.

He also had loan spells with Fleetwood Town, Nuneaton Town, Newcastle Town and Congleton before being released by the Premier League side.

Eve then signed for Forest Green in February last year. He had previously had a loan spell at the club, appearing in a televised 2-1 victory away to Margate in the FA Cup fourth-round qualifying match.