Back underway and City strike again through Bailey.        1-3.    47 mins

UPDATES  10th February 2024 16:13
 
Northern Premier League Premier Division
 
Ashton United 0 Guiseley 1
    Ekpolo 6’ 0-1
Atherton Collieries 0 Gainsborough Trinity 0  
Basford United 0 Hyde United 0
Ilkeston Town 1 Lancaster City 3
    Cox 11’ 1-0
    Norris 19’ 1-1
    Bailey 22’ 1-2
    Bailey 47’ 1-3
Morpeth Town 1 Bamber Bridge 1 att 436
    Steels 2’ 1-0
    Edwards 37’ 1-1
Warrington Rylands 0 Matlock Town 0
Workington 0 Bradford PA 1
    Preston 9’ 0-1
Worksop Town 1 Radcliffe 1
    Hancock 4’ 0-1
    Rollins 32’ 1-1
 
Others
Bristol Rovers 0 Burton Albion 1
Derby County 0 Shrewsbury Town 0
Forest Green Rovers 0 Mansfield Town 1
Hampton & Richmond Borough 0 Macclesfield 0
Chesterfield 2 Ebbsfleet United 1
Darlington 0 Alfreton Town 0
Long Eaton Unted 0 Alvechurch 3
Mickleover 0 Bromsgrove Sporting 0
Belper Town 2 Ossett United 0
Anstey Nomads 0 Cambridge City 1
Gresley Rovers 0 Loughborough Dynamo 2

Meikle creates a chance for Cursons but again he fires over the bar. Declan shot pushed away by Mendes. 
1-3.   65 mins

Lancaster are defending well against Ilkestons constant attacking. . Meikle gets MOTM.     1-3.    79 mins

Meikle is booked. Norris nearly makes it 4-1 from a City break. Nothing quite coming off for the Robins and we keeping getting caught offside.       1-3.    85 mins

City taking their time now .    Meikle floored and nothing given.  More time wasting .

Full time and it's a reality check.  Ilkeston 2. Lancaster City 3

UPDATES  10th February 2024 17:05
 
Northern Premier League Premier Division
 
Ashton United 1 Guiseley 1 att 361 ft
    Ekpolo 6’ 0-1
    Byrne 69’ 1-1
Atherton Collieries 0 Gainsborough Trinity 1 att 331 ft
    Howe 51’  0-1
Basford United 0 Hyde United 0 ft
Ilkeston Town 2 Lancaster City 3 att 519 ft
    Parker 11’ 1-0
    Norris 19’ 1-1
    Bailey 22’ 1-2
    Bailey 47’ 1-3
    Marshall T 90’ 2-3
Morpeth Town 1 Bamber Bridge 3 att 436 ft
    Steels 2’ 1-0
    Edwards 37’ 1-1
    Leigh 72’ 1-2 
    Baxter 86’ 1-3
Warrington Rylands 1 Matlock Town 0 att 438  ft
    Hough 86’ 1-0
Workington 0 Bradford PA 2 att 718 ft
    Preston 9’ 0-1
    Maieco 83’ 0-2
Worksop Town 1 Radcliffe 1 1057 ft
    Hancock 4’ 0-1
    Rollins 32’ 1-1
 
Others
Bristol Rovers 1 Burton Albion 2
Derby County 1 Shrewsbury Town 1 ft
Forest Green Rovers 0 Mansfield Town 4
Hampton & Richmond Borough 0 Macclesfield 2 ft
Chesterfield 2 Ebbsfleet United 2 ft
Darlington 0 Alfreton Town 2
Long Eaton United 2 Alvechurch 4 ft
Mickleover 1 Bromsgrove Sporting 0 ft
Belper Town 2 Ossett United 0 ft
Anstey Nomads 1 Cambridge City 2 ft
Gresley Rovers 1 Loughborough Dynamo 4 ft

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Sat 10th February 2024
Northern Premier League
Ilkeston Town  2  Lancaster City  3
Lancaster gained revenge for a 4-0 defeat earlier in the season and brought Ilkeston’s five match unbeaten run to an end. It was a disappointing defeat after taking an early lead and then being punished for slack defending.
The game started brightly with both teams looking for goals. A fine run by Jamie Walker created a chance for Tom Cursons whose shot was blocked by a defender. Lindon Meikle then won a corner which brought the opening goal on 11 minutes. It was taken by Sam Parker whose in-swinger found a way into the far corner of the net. Lancaster were soon to pull level through a David Norris close range header after hesitancy by Ilkeston’s defenders then in the blink of an eye they were ahead. This time it was a well taken strike by Charlie Bailey into the corner of the net. Ilkeston retaliated and great play by Ben Starkie created a real chance for Cursons but he blazed over. Starkie produced another fine run forward but he too couldn’t keep his shot from flying over the bar so an entertaining first half ended with City ahead. 
Within two minutes of the restart Lancaster had doubled their lead with Bailey scoring again. Ilkeston set about retrieving the situation  but risked being punished by City’s counter attacking. Meikle created another opportunity for Cursons but again his effort was too high. Declan Eratt-Thompson then had his shot pushed round the post by the busy visiting keeper, Andre Mendes. Walker was then close when his effort whistled by the post. City were defending well and Norris nearly made it 4-1 from a counter attack when he fired his attempt just wide.  Five minutes from time Tom Marshall unleashed a 30 yarder which Mendes did well to turn past the post but Ilkeston’s pressure finally brought a reward in the closing minutes when they were awarded a penalty. Mendes did well to stop Tom Marshall’s first attempt but couldn’t keep out his follow up. Lancaster saw out the added time and victory was theirs. 

 

Last edited by Matchman (10/2/2024 11:52 PM)

Just a bad day at the office. Probably nothing in it, it just feels like it disrupts the rhythm of players and fans when we're not attacking the clock tower end in the second half. If it is any sort of advantage, the likes of Basford and Lancaster are keen to take it from us if they win the toss.

Goals from the game ...

https://youtu.be/h64Fy6obQs4?si=DfKlkkuNI8QXKr1Q

Deaks' thoughts ...

https://youtu.be/XwhxVSS3Ezw?si=endDoU5q0N6Lthjw

Last edited by Trowell Nicky (11/2/2024 6:51 PM)

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Went to the Ladies match on Sunday and saw a cracking game. The match was sponsored by five of our supporters. Lots of our supporters now watch the Ladies games 
It's always a good place to discuss Saturday's match with fellow supporters after a day's reflection. The general opinion was to give credit to Lancaster who played well and took their chances. We played okay but didn't make the most of our opportunities. Everyone agreed that Lindon Meikle was outstanding. Usually a new player takes a bit of time to settle in but Meikle has really hit the ground running. Tom Marshall seems to have made the No 5 shirt his and I thought Ben Starkie had his best game. Despite the defeat most fans are mildly optimistic that we can put in a good performance at Macclesfield. With Connor Dixon and L'Varn Brandy to come into the side, I reckon we can surprise them.