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Each of the top three teams have tricky looking matches this coming Saturday 5th March 

Spalding United v Ilkeston Town
Carlton Town v Halesowen Town
Chasetown v Stamford
 
Here’s hoping that Carlton and Stamford can do us a favour.


 

Last edited by Matchman (01/3/2022 7:06 AM)

Matchman wrote:

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Each of the top three teams have tricky looking matches this coming Saturday 5th March 

Spalding United v Ilkeston Town
Carlton Town v Halesowen Town
Chasetown v Stamford
 
Here’s hoping that Carlton and Stamford can do us a favour.


 

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The top three are all likely to drop points between now and the end of the season but it’s important not to be the team that blinks first. At present there is time to recover if points are dropped but the pressure not to drop points will increase as the number of games diminish. 

March month’s fixtures may clarify matters with Chasetown playing against both Ilkeston and Halesowen :
12 March  Chasetown v Ilkeston
19 March  Halesowen v Chasetown
The results of these two games are crucial. 

Assuming the top three all win on Saturday March 5th, then the points gap remains as it is now with Ilkeston, Halesowen and Chasetown all having 3 points more ie :
Ilkeston 71 points, 
Halesowen 70 points 
Chasetown 69 points 

If Ilkeston were then to beat Chasetown (and Halesowen beat Carlton) it will put Chasetown 5 points behind Ilkeston and put huge pressure on the Scholars to win at Halesowen.  If Chasetown lost both games it would probably consign them to the playoffs. An Ilkeston win means the title is still in our own hands.
Positions: 1.Ilkeston 74 points, 2.Halesowen 73 points, 3.Chasetown 69 points  

If Ilkeston v Chasetown ends in a draw it would give Halesowen a chance to go top by a point and they would be 3 points ahead of Chasetown. The title would no longer be in our own hands
Positions: 1.Halesowen 73 points, 2.Ilkeston 72 points, 3.Chasetown 70 points   

If we lose at Chasetown then Halesowen would be 2 points ahead of us and Chasetown 1 point ahead of us. A defeat gives both Halesowen and Chasetown the opportunity to win the title.
Positions: 1.Halesowen 73 points, 2.Chasetown 72 points 3.Ilkeston 71 points  

The Halesowen v Chasetown match the following week would then give both Halesowen and Chasetown an opportunity to stay ahead of Ilkeston.  But if Halesowen v Chasetown was a draw  (and Ilkeston beat Coleshill ) it would give Ilkeston the chance to go back to the top on goal difference above Halesowen.
Positions: 1.Ilkeston 74 points, 2.Halesowen 74 points, 3.Chasetown 73 points  

 


So many different scenarios ……..


 

Last edited by Matchman (01/3/2022 10:30 AM)

Alex wrote:

My view on it, after the matches on the 26th march. Whoever is top will win the league

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If Chasetown are still in contention following their difficult March fixtures they then have to visit Carlton and Spalding in April

Halesowen have a relatively easy April with just one tricky game away to Belper 

Ilkeston have tricky visits to Cambridge and Bedworth in April.  



Top Three Unbeaten Runs 

After losing to Chasetown in September Ilkeston went 11 league matches without defeat until we lost at Sporting Khalsa. Since then we have now gone ten games without defeat, so our match against Spalding gives us the opportunity to equal that earlier run.  

Halesowen’s recent defeat against Spalding ended a seven match unbeaten run. 

Chasetown are unbeaten in their last eight matches.  


 

Last edited by Matchman (01/3/2022 12:10 PM)

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We visit Spalding at a time when they are in a good run of form



It's four wins from the last five games for @SpaldingUnited who defeated another play-off chasing side at the weekend 



 
SpaldingToday.co.uk


Report on Spalding United's win at Belper last week. 

Spalding United beat Belper Town in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division By James Bedford  

Manager Brett Whaley hailed a 'big win' for his Spalding United side as they toppled another promotion-chasing team on Saturday.

The Tulips were 2-1 away winners at fourth-placed Belper Town in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division.

A stunning strike from Ben Starkie and a Gregg Smith penalty ensured Spalding have won four of their last five league games.

After ending January with a home success over Sporting Khalsa, they started last month with a super away success at title-chasing Halesowen which was followed by a derby victory against Wisbech Town.

Despite losing at home to sixth-placed Carlton a fortnight ago, the Tulips bounced back in style on Saturday to dent Belper's play-off push.

Whaley said: "It was a really big win for us. "We were really disappointed after the Carlton game but, the performances on either side of that have been really good wins, especially when you look at the league positions of both Belper and Halesowen.

"Halesowen play one style of football where they try to keep it and open you up while Belper are more direct which means we have got the same result against two very different sides which was very pleasing.

"It's okay being able to play against a certain way but in both games we have defended really well and put our bodies on the line and made it very difficult for the opposition.

"We haven't had the lion's share of possession or dominated the games but it's pleasing to see that we can play against different sides because you need to in this league.

"I still feel that we need to find our own identity and way of playing but it's a massive credit to the lads that they are able to put in these level of performances while we're still gelling as a team.

”The Tulips had a virtually full-strength squad for the trip to Derbyshire with Smith and Nathan Stainfield both returning after missing the Carlton defeat.

Recent recruit Tiago Nassunculo was also handed his first start while the fit-again Jack Withers was named on the substitutes' bench.

Belper's Raygar Stadium had been hit by extensive flooding following the effects of storm Franklin last week, however, a superb effort from their club stalwarts ensured the game went ahead.

Whaley added: "We've had the same back four in all four wins and we're starting to get those relationships which build up which is something the club hasn't had this season.

"We were always going to change the squad from when we were appointed and we have bought a lot of players in and moved some on but, by doing it one at a time and not making wholesale changes, we have been able to get a bit of continuity.

"Realistically, between now and the end of the season, we don't really want to change the squad which we've got and it's no secret that we've got one eye on next season now.

"It was Starkie's superlative strike that put the Tulips ahead on Saturday in a game of few clear-cut chances. They were awarded a free-kick 30 yards out just past the half-hour mark and Starkie unleashed a sweetly-struck effort that flew into the top corner of the home net.

Belper nearly responded with a free-kick of their own which Karl Demidh curled against the post as Spalding held their one-goal advantage at the break.

The Tulips looked to double their advantage in the second period and Nassunculo went close as he charged down a kick from home goalkeeper Lewis Gwilliams with the rebound rolling agonisingly just past the post.

Sam Wright curled an effort just wide for the visitors before Spalding scored their second goal with 11 minutes remaining.

Substitute Dylan Edge was brought down in the box and Smith blasted home the resultant spot kick to make it 2-0.

Belper continued to push for a way back into the contest and halved the deficit with just three minutes remaining.
Full-back Josh Woodcock burst forward before unleashing a low drive that flew into the bottom corner of the Spalding net.

That set up a nervy finale for the Tulips as Belper pushed more men forward in search of a late leveller. The Nailers did go close as Alex Peterson headed goalwards from Craig Nelthorpe's cross but goalkeeper Michael Duggan held onto the effort to secure a tidy three points for the Tulips after another battling performance.

Whaley commented: "It was a game of few chances but our first goal was a superb strike. Ben has pulled out a couple of great goals for us and he has got it in his locker.  "I thought both him and Stefan Broccoli were really disciplined on Saturday. They worked so hard which you have to do in games against those top sides. "They are both really good footballers but right now we're having to dig in and do the ugly side of the game.

"I'm sure that as the pitches improve they will dominate the ball more but it's good to see lads like that are actually prepared to do the horrible things which is sometimes required in these types of games. "You can't just play one style in this league because ultimately you will come unstuck at some point. "We have to roll your sleeves up and a lot of the results are probably ugly wins but they all equate to three points which is the aim of what we're trying to do."

Tulips: Duggan, Floyd, Bucci, Marshall, Stainfield, Cartwright, Seymour-Shrove (Edge), Broccoli, Smith, Starkie (Withers), (Macleod). Subs not used subs: Koroma, Lynch.
Attendance: 460.

Spalding have a rearranged home game on Saturday when they host league leaders Ilkeston Town.   



 

Last edited by Matchman (02/3/2022 6:54 AM)

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There are still a few seats on the Supporters coach to Spalding
Why not jump on the band wagon and follow Ilkeston home and away for the remaining matches as we go all out for promotion. Ilkeston away days are an unforgettable experience. New travellers welcome. Join the regular lads and lasses of all ages. The camararderie is unbelievable. 


Ilkeston Away Days - Supporters Group @town_away
March 5th Spalding away £11 and £6
Bus leaves Ground 11.00, Market 11.05, Kirk Hallam 11.10 .
Ring Zane on 07521055827 to book.




 

Last edited by Matchman (02/3/2022 2:54 PM)

Game on then ....................... looks like i wont be going because of family reasons . 

Last edited by kevilsonlad (03/3/2022 9:54 PM)

Any news of the possibility of any games being called off due to this crap weather last night and today .

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UP NEXTBY GARY KENT1 DAY AGO

Tulips v Ilkeston Town
The Tulips host the league leaders on Saturday for this re-arranged fixture. The Tulips will be hoping to build on last weekend's excellent win at play off chasing Belper Town. There should be a healthy crowd in attendance for this fixture with a large travelling support expected and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the Sir Halley Stewart. Your local non-league Club needs you. 


PhotoJake @thejakewhiteley
Feels like an age since I was last pitchside (in truth, 2 weeks!) Looking forward to covering #Tulips v high-flying @ilkestontown_fc for @SpaldingVoice this Sat 5/3:
should be a cracker!…    

Last edited by Matchman (04/3/2022 4:23 PM)

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Spalding United v Ilkeston Town 


8am Saturday  _  Still no mention of a pitch inspection so it looks like the game is on.

Spalding weather forecast :  On Saturday 05th March 2022 the sun will rise at 06:37 and will set at 17:46. It will be a mild day, with temperatures reaching around 7.4°C. Today is expected to be a dry day, with a very low chance of rain. It could be quite a gusty day today, with a maximum expected wind speed of 29mph.


 

Last edited by Matchman (05/3/2022 8:22 AM)

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Spalding United
1 Michael Duggan. 2 Scott Floyd, 3 Gianluca Bucci, 4 Liam Marshall, 5 Nathan Stainfield, 6 Sam Cartwright, 7 Abdul Koroma, 8 Seymour-Shove, 9 Gregg Smith, 10 Ben Starkie, 11 Dylan Edge.
Bench : 14 Jack Withers, 15 Jack Lynch, 16 Thiago Nassuculo, 17 Jordam Macleod.


Ilkeston Town
1 Ross Durrant, 2 Tommy Williams, 3 Billy Bennett, 4 Aman Verma, 5 Charlie Jemson, 6 Kieran Fenton, 7 Zak Goodson, 8 Jared Bird, 9 Remaye Campbell, 10 Alex Troke, 11 Charlie Wakefield.
Bench : 12 James Reid, 14 Joe Maguire, 15 Stern Irvine, 16 Morgan Thomas-Sadler, 18 James Carvell.

 

Last edited by Matchman (07/3/2022 8:48 AM)

Ollie Brown-Hill is unavailable

No chances yet, all in midfield. Good break by Wakefield but the ball is cleared.       0-0     7 mins

Spalding Keeper makes his first save but its an easy one. Still no real Chances       0-0       19 mins

Good effort by Zak but it's saved. Reid shot deflected for a corner.  Jemmo up for it but It's headed clear.      0-0      31 mins