With most teams having just two games left, this Saturday could  confirm some of the playoff and relegation issues.

Sat 20th April 24 fixtures 
Bamber Bridge v Whitby
Bradford v Gainsborough
Guiseley v FC United
Hyde v Matlock
Ilkeston v Morpeth
Macclesfield v Workington
Marine v Atherton
Radcliffe v Basford
Stafford v Ashton
Worksop v Warrington

Hyde United with only one match left have been in the playoff positions since 6th January but now look like they could be pushed out by Ashton who are level on points and have three games left.
Worksop, three points behind Hyde and Ashton also have three games left so could also sneak into the final playoff spot. 

At the bottom of the table Basford, Stafford and Bradford continue their fight to avoid the drop. We may have to wait until the final Saturday to see which team survives.

Stafford v Ashton is the most crucial clash. Ashton need to win or risk missing out on a playoff place. Stafford need to win or risk being relegated.

Warrington's unbeaten away record may come to an end at Worksop. 





 

Last edited by Matchman (19/4/2024 9:26 AM)

.
IT'S MATCHDAY AT THE NMG FOR THE FINAL TIME THIS SEASON

Tomorrow is our last home match so please come and show your support to our team that has done so well this season.

We're not expecting many fans from Morpeth to make the journey so please come and swell the gate if you can.

If you're a commited supporter, full time is a special moment at the last match. It's an emotional feeling as the players leave the field. Some of them may not be here next season.



 

Last edited by Matchman (20/4/2024 2:35 AM)

.
Today we will be looking to finish our home fixtures with a win against Morpeth Town and extend our unbeaten run unlike the last two seasons when we left the NMG disappointed:

Season 22-23 we lost our final home game in the Southern league 2-3 against Nuneaton.
Season 21-22  we lost our final home game in the NPL Midlands Division 2-4 against  Shepshed Dynamo.







​

Last edited by Matchman (20/4/2024 7:29 AM)

It's 10 minutes to kickoff here at the NMG.
Conditions are pretty much perfect for our final home match.  
The teams are out.  Ilkeston are in red and white. Morpeth are in amber and black.
Ilkeston will be attacking the car park end.
            
We're off.....

 

Last edited by Matchman (20/4/2024 2:00 PM)

Yates has to race out to gather a forward ball. Cursons shot saved by Lowson. Cross field ball nearly finds Foalle at the far post.but it's out for a goal kick.  No real chances yet     0-0.     17 mins

Corner won by Cursons. Lowson gathers.  Wafula brought down at the corner of Morpeth area. Now a free kick to Morpeth.  It takes a massive deflection which takes it past Yates.   1-1.      Hodgson the scorer      29 mins

We have a delay due to an injury to Lowson.  Cursons looks to be fouled in the area but its a free kick outside.  Hits a defender and goes out for a corner.  Good spell by Morpeth and Dec has to concede a corner. Morpeth so close to scoring as shot hits a defender,       1-1.   45 mins

Last edited by Matchman (20/4/2024 2:46 PM)

We're back underway and a great chance for Cursons but With just Lowson to beat he sees Lowson block his shot.  Then Cursons close again and denied by Lowson.    GOAL.  Wafula blasts home.      2-1      50 minutes 
Persistence finally paid off.

Last edited by Matchman (20/4/2024 3:12 PM)

Alex replaces Connor Dixon.   Meikle sends Cursons away  Its pulled back to Brandy whose effort brings a fine save from Lowson.      3-1.        70 mins

Morpeth have one back through Foalle.         2-3.    76 mins

Last edited by Matchman (20/4/2024 3:37 PM)

More good play from Declan.  Good save by Yates.  Morpeth are creating chances on the break. We shouldn't be hanging on.  But its a nerdy ending.

 

.    

Sat 20th April 2024
Northern Premier League 
Ilkeston Town  3  Morpeth Town  2
Goals from Tom Marshall, Jonathan Wafula and Tom Cursons gave Ilkeston a fifth win on the bounce in their final home game of the season but a late Morpeth goal by Jack Foalle made it a nervy finish. 
The match started slowly and it took 20 minutes before the game came to life with former Ilkeston keeper Dan Lowson making the first of several outstanding saves. His reflex save from Callum Minkley’s header was quickly followed by skipper Jeff Henderson’s clearance off the goal line. But a goal was soon to come when Tom Marshall headed in from Declan Eratt-Thompson’s corner on 23 minutes. The lead didn’t last long and Morpeth equalised from a Dan Barlow free kick which took a massive defection which left Matt Yates stranded. There were appeals for an Ilkeston penalty when Cursons appeared to be tripped inside the Morpeth penalty area but a free kick on the edge of the area was the outcome. Just before half time Morpeth had their best spell and were close to taking the lead when Andrew Johnson’s close range shot was deflected just wide. 
Ilkeston were out of the blocks quickly for the second half. Connor Dixon’s shot was saved then Wafula’s follow up was deflected wide. Cursons was then through with Lowson to beat but the keeper blocked his effort. Cursons had another chance when found by James Perch but again Lowson denied him. A goal had to come and it was Wafula who blasted past Lowson to restore Ilkeston’s lead following a corner. Morpeth were denied an equaliser shortly afterwards when a Foalle header was adjudged to be offside. The best goal of the game came on 62 minutes when Connor Dixon’s brilliant surging run and cross was hammered home by Cursons to make it 3-1. Ilkeston were then comfortably in control and Lowson kept Morpeth in the game with outstanding saves first from L’Varn Brandy and then from Cursons. The mood changed though on 78 minutes when the visitors reduced the arrears through Foalie’s strike that went in off the post. The same player had another chance for Morpeth but blazed his effort over the bar before Eratt-Thompson almost made the game safe for Ilkeston.


 

How many of these away grounds have been grass pitchs?

Not taking anything away from our players.