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Having negotiated the first of our 3 home games, Leek will be a different challenge.  They were a poor side when we went there in September and won 3-1,  but now we play against them when they are in much better form. Just hope it's not an "After the Lord Mayor's Show" performance. 
Deaks used his subs well against Basford taking off key players when the game was won to avoid the risk of injuries and to give the day's non-starters match practice. Leek will be a tougher test but I think we can make it two wins out of two.



 

Last edited by Matchman (03/1/2025 8:14 AM)

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NPL PREVIEW OF MATCHES 4TH JANUARY 2025

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Despite sides partaking in the fourth round of the FA Trophy, there is still plenty of action in the Northern Premier League’s top division this weekend, including a battle between first and third. 

League leaders Macclesfield welcome Worksop Town to the Leasing.com Stadium. Robbie Savage’s Silkmen won the previous meeting by a slim 1-0 scoreline on the opening weekend of the season, and a similar result this time around would create a 17-point gap to their opponents, with a game in hand still to play. 
Second-placed Guiseley will be aiming to extend their current unbeaten league run to 15 games when they travel to Workington. Workington have lost only twice at Borough Park this season however, and will come into this one eager to end a current winless run of five games. 
Ilkeston Town’s unbeaten home record will be put to the test yet again as they host a Leek Town side that have found some form over the Christmas period. A late equaliser denied Leek a third straight league win on New Year’s Day, but victory this time out would lift the Blues out of the relegation zone. Ian Deakin’s side are on the hunt for a third win in four, and they come into this game full of confidence following a 5-0 triumph over Basford United in their most recent outing.  
Another of the sides in the top five, Ashton United, are in action against basement club Blyth Spartans, who are searching for their first league win in 14 games. Four goals were evenly split between the two sides in their previous meeting in August, and Ashton will be hoping to turn one point into three as they look to secure a fourth win in five.
 Elsewhere, one of the form sides in the division takes on a side without a win in eight as Matlock Town host Prescot Cables. The Gladiators have gone six games unbeaten and have their eyes on the top half - something which seemed a long way away when boss Ryan Cresswell was appointed back in September.  Cables have picked up just four points from their last eight games and find themselves teetering above the bottom four.  They’ll be hoping to kick-start the new year with three points, in their first game of 2025. 
Warrington Rylands are also in action for the first time this calendar year, welcoming Hebburn Town to the Hive Arena. Over the last six games, Rylands have picked up more points than Hebburn, but two wins in  their last three have the Hornets chasing down the top five once again. A second straight win could potentially send Hebburn back into the play-offs, whilst also dealing a first loss for Neil Reynolds and his side since Ilkeston took all three points off them back in late November. 
A mid-table six-pointer takes place at the SFC Stadium as Bamber Bridge host Whitby Town. A win for the Brig would see them go level on points with their opponents, as they look to put some space between themselves and the bottom four. 
And FC United of Manchester take on Morpeth Town, hoping to pick up their third win at Broadhurst Park this season against a side with one of the better away records in the division. Victory for the Highwaymen would be their sixth away from home already this season, and a much-needed three points after a couple of draws in their last two. All games are set to kick off at 3pm, unless stated otherwise. 

Fixtures - Saturday 4 January 2025

• Bamber Bridge vs Whitby Town
• Blyth Spartans vs Ashton United
• FC United of Manchester vs Morpeth Town
• Ilkeston Town vs Leek Town
• Macclesfield vs Worksop Town
• Matlock Town vs Prescot Cables
• Warrington Rylands vs Hebburn Town
• Workington vs Guiseley

I can’t see Worksop getting anything at Macclesfield although Macclesfield have slipped up against lower teams I think they will see as a test of their title credentials. Blyth may be at the stage where they are just thankful to be still in existence and are just planning for next season so might be more relaxed. Warrington Rylands are again starting to look like they will pull away from the relegation dogfight and Hebburn have a long trip on poor weather from Tyneside. Again Guiseley face a long trip but I do expect them to be too good for Workington. Finally Ilkeston should have momentum from last weeks biggest win of the season and will be looking to secure three points.
One thing not mentioned is how badly last seasons promoted teams have done in the Nation League North and I was wandering if there was a gap between the two leagues and how will Ilkeston cope on and off the field if they do get promoted come May?

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With the signing of another defender it will be interesting to see who makes the starting lineup today

We have Wednesday's players numbered 2-6 :   2 Minkley, 3 Parker, 4 Meikle, 5 Marshall 6 Maher

​plus Wednesday subs:" Eratt-Thompson, Wilkinson and Wafula and now new signing McDonald.



 

Last edited by Matchman (04/1/2025 10:47 AM)

Ten minutes to kick off.   It's cold and clear.

The teams are out.   Ilkeston in red. Leek in blue.

Ilkeston are attackingbthe car park end .

We're off.........
 

Last edited by Matchman (04/1/2025 2:01 PM)

Walker shot deflected into side netting. Leek look dangerous on the break. Good run by Dixon but he's stopped as he's about to let fly.           0-0.     12 mins

Most of the play is in the Leek half but no efforts on goal. Leek are defending in numbers.   0-0.  18 mins

Walker controls the ball in the area but his shot is the wrong side of the post.  Goal Leek devastating counter attack leaving Campbell with a tap in from Potts's cross.         0-1.      26 mins

Last edited by Matchman (04/1/2025 2:27 PM)

Ilkeston very lucky to escape as Leek header hits the bar after mistake by Maher giving the ball away . Ilkeston are dominating possession but Leek are making the scoring chances.     0-1.   31 mins

Cursons shot easily saved by Visser.  GOAL Potts again . Wonderful break by Leek.    0-2.  44 mins

Ilkeston have no answer to Leek's style of play. 
HT.  0-2

UPDATES 16:10
 
Championship
Bristol City 1 Derby County 0
 
EFL Division One
Stockport County 1 Mansfield Town 2
 
FA Trophy Fourth Round
Basford United 0 Eastleigh 1
Gainsborough Trinity 0 York City 0
 
Northern Premier League Premier Division
Bamber Bridge 0 Whitby Town 2
FC United of Manchester 1 Morpeth Town 0
Ilkeston Town 0 Leek Town 2
Macclesfield 0 Worksop Town 1
Warrinton Rylands 2 Hebburn Town 2
Workington 0 Guiseley 1
 
Northern Premier League East Division
Bradford Park Avenue 1 Belper Town 1
Sherwood Colliery 0 North Ferriby 0
 
Northern Premier League Midland Division
Quorn 1 Long Eaton United 1 
 
Lowland League
Gala Fairydean Rovers 1 Berwick Rangers 2