. 
      
Workington AFC @WorkingtonAFC   
𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐔𝐏 We're on the road again as we make the long journey down to Derbyshire to visit Ilkeston Town!
15:00
New Manor Ground, DE7 8JF
£14/£9/£2
#RichHistoryBrightFuture   #RedsRiseAgain  




Adult admission price above is incorrect   -   It should read £13 not £14





 

Last edited by Matchman (07/2/2025 7:19 AM)

Play-off contenders clash as race for top five intensifies : NPL preview  :  Saturday 8 February 

The play-off race in the Northern Premier League hots up this weekend, with teams in-and-around the top five preparing to do battle. The headline fixture sees third-placed Ashton United travel south to face Worksop Town, who sit one place and four points below them in the table. The visiting Robins have been in fine form of late, winning six of their last seven matches. Standing in their way this Saturday are a Worksop side looking to kick on after ending their three-game winless run with a 2-0 victory at Morpeth Town last weekend.

Another of the division's top five, Stockton Town, host Warrington Rylands as they look to keep the chasing pack at bay. Rylands come into their trip to the north-east in the midst of an 11-game unbeaten run which has catapulted them up the table and to within nine points of the play-offs. Like the Blues, Stockton were victorious on their travels in midweek, edging past basement side Blyth Spartans 1-0 at Croft Park. 

At the very top of the table, Macclesfield host second-bottom Mickleover. Despite dropping points at Hebburn Town last weekend, the Silkmen were still able to stretch their advantage at the NPL summit to 17 points, having played a game more than nearest challengers Guiseley. 

The Guiseley Lions, beaten twice last week, will hope to rediscover their winning touch when they make the trip to Prescot Cables. Cables have also lost back-to-back games but hold one of the stronger home records in the division, tasting defeat just three times in 14 games at Valerie Park this season. 

Just outside the top five sit Ilkeston Town and Hebburn Town. This weekend,Ilkeston face opponents who find themselves just three points above the relegation zone. Ilkeston host Workington, with the Robins boasting the second-best home form of any side in the division this season and the visitors picking up just 11 points from a possible 42 on their travels.

Hebburn go to Matlock 

A Yorkshire Coast derby also beckons this weekend as ninth-placed Morpeth Town visit Whitby Town, who enter the weekend just two points above the bottom four. Saturday will see Whitby take to the field for the first time this month, having been without a game last weekend. 

Elsewhere, Lancaster City welcome FC United of Manchester to the Giant Axe, with the visitors knowing three points would see them leapfrog their hosts and end the weekend in the top half. The Dolly Blues have endured recent difficulty on home soil, failing to win any of their last five matches - drawing four and losing once. 

Hyde United and Gainsborough Trinity will have their eyes fixed on moving further clear of relegation worries when they meet at the Project Solar Stadium. The Tigers' form has been patchy in recent weeks, with no win in their last eight matches. Gainsborough have struggled on the league front just as much, picking up just nine points from their last 10 games.

The final games of the weekend are intriguing ones, with new Basford United manager Willis Francis looking to maintain his 100% winning start when the Lions visit Bamber Bridge - the side immediately above them in the table. Last weekend saw the Brig end a seven-game winless run, but they remain two points from safety. 

Finally, basement side Blyth Spartans will hope to draw Leek Town further into the relegation dogfight when the Blues visit Croft Park. Spartans find themselves eight points adrift at the foot of the NPL table and in dire need of results as they continue an unlikely bid to avoid the drop.

​All games are set to kick off at 3pm, unless otherwise stated. 

Fixtures - Saturday 8 February 

• Bamber Bridge vs Basford United
• Blyth Spartans vs Leek Town
• Hyde United vs Gainsborough Trinity
• Ilkeston Town vs Workington
• Lancaster City vs FC United of Manchester
• Macclesfield vs Mickleover
• Matlock Town vs Hebburn Town
• Prescot Cables vs Guiseley
• Stockton Town vs Warrington Rylands
• Whitby Town vs Morpeth Town
• Worksop Town vs Ashton United

Last edited by Matchman (08/2/2025 8:45 AM)

Alex wrote:

WhiteBallProject wrote:

I like the fact that our lowest league position has been 11th

***************************************************************************************************************************


It's interesting that after the first week, Lancaster have remained mid table ever since with 14 of the 25 weekends in 9th position (highest position 7th, lowest position 12th).
13 draws in 28 matches could have contributed to their steady position.



 

Last edited by Matchman (08/2/2025 10:39 AM)

The teams are out.  Ilkeston in red . Workington in blue.  
A bloke on his stag due has been set up to come out in ilkeston kit. He's wearing a number 20 Ilkeston shirt.

Ilkeston attack the car park end. 

We're off.......

Marshall shot saved with difficulty by Mitchell who could only parry it.  Free kick Ilkeston - keeper has it. Great ball by Brandy to Stevens. Stevens's cross goes right across the goal with no one there to finish it. Ilkeston shot hits the post but offside flag is up.       0-0.     15 mins

Last edited by Matchman (08/2/2025 2:17 PM)

Another Ilkeston corner. It's right under the bar but the ref blows for a foul. Another Ilkeston corner. Stevens taking them.  great effort by Nugent whistles by the post as Workington counter.       0-0      26 mins

Good play Abdullah. and he gets a corner.   

It's  half time.   0-0

Last edited by Matchman (08/2/2025 3:03 PM)

Great shot by Brandy and equally good save by Mitchell who parries the ball into the air and Abdulla can't quite get to the loose ball. Ilkeston fans are trying to lift the team.  Daniel brought down on the charge forward .  Free kick in good position for Ilkeston but a Workington defender heads clear.  Ilkeston mix-up and Rigg has a great chance but he passes and the opportunity is lost.    0--0.   54 mins

Cracker from symington rattles Ilkeston's crossbar .   then  Addullah so close for Ilkeston  
Twoo subs by Deakin.    Hardwick and Wafula on.

0-0.    60 mins

Last edited by Matchman (08/2/2025 3:21 PM)

Ilkeston on top now.  Good save by Mitchell.  Daniel replaced by Wauchope.   74 min 
Dixon replaced by Eratt-Thompson-Thompson.    75 mins

We need another goal.  It's only 1-0 and Workington look capable of scoring.  Abdulah again so close but it goes wrong side of post.  Dec's in swinger is well held by Mitchell.        1 -0.   85 mins