Matchman wrote:

. 

Our next fixture is Whitby away on New Years Day. Whitby are just outside the playoff positions but have a game in hand.
Their current record is:  P21, W11, D5, L5,  F37, A28,  Points 38 
Their away record is better than their home record.
Their home record is  :   P  9,  W4,  D2, L3,  F15, A14,  Points 14    

Our season so far
After winning our first three matches we’ve seen an inevitable decline in performances as we’ve reduced our wage bill to a more manageable level. We’re currently half way in the league table and holding our own.
Our form has been inconsistent, especially at home but we’ve had some good away performances.
It’s been tough for many of our players making the step up to this level but they really want to do well and produce the performances that the fans want to see. The NPL is a tough league, much tougher than the Southern League and there are some really good teams with much bigger playing budgets than us.   
Before the season started we were fearful of relegation as we seemed under prepared under Jamie Ward. Winning our first three matches under Gary Hayward gave us false expectations and we then lost 5 on the bounce including the FA Cup defeat at Mickleover. Following Hayward’s departure, Ian Deakin has steadied the ship with 7 wins, 3 draws and 7 defeats in the league. So we now find ourselves mid table and wondering what lies ahead in the second half of the season.    
Ilkeston Town: P24, W10, D 3, L11, F39, A37, Points 33



So after three straight defeats its going to be tough to get any kind of favourable result at promotion chasing Whitby. Will we have a change of fortune?
​Whitby's ground is always wet. They have had several matches postponed this season. This isn’t a ground we usually do well at but Bank Holidays occasionally throw up strange results.       .  


     

It wasn't week when we played them 1st game of the season

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Whitby are one of the better teams in our league 
The beat us earlier in the season at the NMG by 4-2
They are a good bet to get into the playoffs and they had a great FA Cup run reaching the first round proper before losing to Bristol Rovers, 
Whitby are unbeaten in their last five matches. Ilkeston have lost their last three.
So it’s fair to say we go there as underdogs. 

No matter. Our travelling supporters will be there as always to cheer on the team.

 

Last edited by Matchman (31/12/2023 12:52 PM)

Where have you seen that?

I've messaged Andy but not had a reply yet

He's just replied saying it may be off so there probably is a pitch inspection. 

If it's off there won't be any transport to bring back the ones who went up today.
 

Last edited by Matchman (31/12/2023 9:42 PM)

Bit of rain between 6 to 8 but not enough to call a game off. Last 2 days light drizzle

GAME ON

Whitby team 
to follow

Ilkeston team
1 Yates 2 King, 3 Cox, 4 Minkley. 5 Perch, 6 Marshall T, 7 Cursons, 8 Dixon, 9 Marshall A, 10 Eratt-Thompson D, 11 Walker.
Bench : 12 Eratt-Thompson K, 14 Brandy, 18 Loughlan, 16 Jebbison, 17 Waite. 

Last edited by Matchman (01/1/2024 2:51 PM)

It's a heavy pitch.  Free kick to Ilkeston wide left. It comes to Dixon whose looping effort just beats the far post.  Doherty shot for Whitby is blocked. then a big chance for Mondal but his poke goes wide.      0-0.   7 mins

UPDATES 1st January 2024 15:15
 
Northern Premier League Premier Division
Bradford PA 0 Guiseley 0
Gainsborough Trinity 0 Worksop Town 0
Hyde United 0 Ashton United 0
Lancaster City 0 Atherton Collieries 0 
Warrington Rylands 0 Macclesfield 1
Whitby Town 0 Ilkeston Town 0
Workington 0 Bamber Bridge 0 
 
Others
Derby County 1 Peterborough United 1
Stockport County 0 Mansfield Town 0
Tranmere Rovers 1 Notts County 0
Chesterfield 0 Solihull Moors 0
Buxton 0 Alfreton Town 1
Long Eaton United 0 Barwell 0
Gresley Rovers 0 Anstey Nomads 0
Loughborough Dynamo 0 Shepshed Dynamo 1

Long balls forward are sticking in the mud.   Dixon's dangerous cross is well held by Bland. Mondal does well to get a shot in but Yates  is there.       0-0.     27 mins

Cursons leaves defender in his wake but then loses control of the ball.  Walker creates space for a shot but fires over.  Now Doherty fires over at the other end,       0-0     31 mins

Big chance for Cursons but he fires over. Should have done better. Ilkeston having their best spell now.     0-0.   39 mins

. Three added minutes