Matchman wrote:

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The games come thick and fast at the start of the season and on Tuesday evening we're home to the biggest team in the league, Macclesfield. 
Both teams are unbeaten after 3 matches. Macclesfield have won all three of their games so Robbie Savage will be hoping to extend their 100% record.

When the teams met at the NMG last season it ended 1-1.

This match should be our biggest gate of the season with plenty of Macclesfield fans making the journey.




 

would have been a really big crowd if was on a sat .....Oh and guess what !!!!!!!!!!!!!! i cant make it tomorrow as i am at bloody work grrrrrrrrrrrr

Last edited by kevilsonlad (19/8/2024 9:35 AM)

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Tuesday evening (20th August) Ilkeston welcome Robbie Savage and the mighty Macclesfield to the Microlise New Manor Ground.  

Last season Macclesfield finished 2nd but lost to Marine in the playoff final. This season the aim is to achieve promotion as Champions.

A big crowd is expected for this game with many Macclesfield supporters making the journey.

Both teams are unbeaten in their 3 opening matches so It's going to be a cracking game. 

Kickoff is 7 45.


 

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Macclesfield FC @thesilkmen  
We are back on our travels once again on Tuesday as we visit Ilkeston Town. Tickets available for purchase on the gate.
   18 Aug 2024 


 

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𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘
Join us on Tuesday as we host @RobbieSavage @thesilkmen at the Microlise New Manor Ground.
#OneTownOneClub  

       



 

Ilkeston are attacking the car park end.

And we're off.......

Last edited by Matchman (20/8/2024 5:45 PM)

It's been a Very nervous start by Ilkeston.  Another Macc corner. Header goes over the bar. Elliott's header goes over the bar from a right wing cross.  It's total domination by Macc so far.       0-0.    14 mins

Ilkeston corner won by Daniel. Macc break down field then good defending by Brown. Good effort by Rooney from edge area is well held by Yates. Ilkeston are doing better now.      0-0.    30 mins

Duffy shot from distance whistles by the post as half time approaches.  Good spell for Ilkeston just before half time. 

HT.  Ilkeston 0 Macclesfield 1

We've been outplayed but we're still in it at 0-1

Great effort by Walker brings a good save by Dearnley. That's better. Macc still on top but not so much.     \
0-1.      56 mins  

Macc shot goes miles over. Macc are having more possession but Ilkeston are much better this half. 
Mistake by a Macc defender and Ilkeston Equalise through Cursons .  It's 1-1       68 mins

Walker volleys wide from an acute angle. good first time effort.  Dearnley does very well to take the ball off Cursons toe. This match can go either way now.  Meikle replaced by Markelic on 78 mins.    1-1

Alex wins a header in the Macc box but Cursons can't quite reach it.  Declan given MOTM. I was thinking Meikle.  Free kick to Macc . Its goes out for a throw in.  Ilkeston have the edge now.   Free kick Ilkeston now in a great position.     1-1.   90 mins

Now Macc have a free kick on edge of area. We get it away.    

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Tue 20th August 2024
Northern Premier League
Ilkeston Town 1  Macclesfield  1
A second half goal by Tom Cursons earned Ilkeston an unlikely point against promotion favourites Macclesfield after looking decidedly second best in the first half. But for all their domination Robbie Savage’s team only had one goal to show and that left the door open for an Ilkeston comeback. 
Right from the kickoff the Robins were on the back foot with Matt Yates twice coming to the rescue. Numerous corners were conceded as Macclesfield piled on the pressure. John Rooney brought a good save from Yates then had the ball in the net with a superb lob on 14 minutes but the flag was up for offside. On the half hour it was Rooney again who tested Yates with powerful shot from the edge of the area. Two minutes later the Silkmen did score and it was a belter from the ever dangerous Justin Johnson. After weaving his way into the area he unleashed an unstoppable strike into the top corner. It seemed like the floodgates may open but it took until 40 minutes before Macclesfield’s next serious effort as Ilkeston showed signs of recovery. Rooney, always ready to have go, saw a shot from distance whistle past the post. Lindon Meikle tested Macclesfield keeper Max Dearnley, who hadn’t seen much of the ball, just before half time.
Ilkeston came out for the second half showing more attacking ideas and Jamie Walker brought an early save from Dearnley. Rooney had an opportunity to increase Macclesfied’s lead but fired wide from Johnson’s pass. Then out of the blue a defensive mistake allowed Ilkeston to equalise. The chance fell to Walker but he unselfishly rolled the ball to Cursons who fired home on 67 minutes. A minute later Cursons was close again but Dearnley did brilliantly to deny him. Macclesfield were now in danger of losing as Walker volleyed past the post then Dearnley had to race out to nick the ball off Cursons toe. Sacha Markelic had a shot charged down and Walker was again thwarted by Dearnley as Ilkeston finished the game on top. On 90 minutes Walker’s effort from a free kick was inches from giving Ilkeston all three points.

 

Last edited by Matchman (22/8/2024 7:56 PM)

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Let's give Deaks and his team credit for turning the game round after such a mauling in the first half. At half time I and probably everyone else in the ground couldn't see anything but a heavy defeat. There was no way back. But as Robbie Savage said, a one goal lead is never enough and that proved to be the case. In the first half Macclesfield looked head and shoulders better than us. They looked unbeatable. They should have been out of sight. But the half time team talk gave us new life. Deaks told the players that they were showing their opponents too much respect and to have a go at them.
It took a defensive mistake the give us the equaliser but thereafter the game changed. Macclesfield suddenly looked vulnerable as we grew in confidence and started to make chances. It was good to see Jamie Walker getting so many shots in and Tom Cursons causing panic. In the end we could have won but to turn a game round like that was very encouraging.  
In the first half when we were outplayed I thought Lindon Meikle was our best player. He fought for the ball and tried to create openings against a resolute Macclesfield defence. I wouldn't say we played badly in the first half, it was just that Macclesfield were far superior.
After the break there was an all round improvement by the whole team. Of course we missed  the composure of James Perch but what a return by Declan Eratt-Thompson. He was outstanding. Again Jonathan Wafula played in several positions to accommodate the substitutions which were made. We are so indebted to Tom Cursons for the goals he scores and well done to Sacha Markelic who came on late and looked like he wanted to score.