We're under severe pressure.       1-1.   89 mins

goal kick Ilkeston. A bit of respite.  Can we hold on. ? 

We are back in the play off spots so this an excellent point! Tuesday nights game is now massive! Well done to Deaks and the team plus all you faithfuls who travel every week to follow the Robins!

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Sat 15th February 2025
Northern Premier League
Guiseley 1 Ilkeston Town 1
Ilkeston were indebted to goalkeeper Matt Yates and their back four for a point against second in the league Guiseley. Ilkeston went ahead in an even first half through Colin Daniel but Guiseley equalised 3 minutes later with a penalty. The final 20 minutes saw Guiseley press for a winner but some determined defending kept the scores level. 

Jamie Walker produced the first effort on goal causing the Guiseley keeper to push his shot round the post with an outstretched hand. Joe Ackroyd replied for Guiseley with an attempt that took a deflection but Yates was able to gather under his crossbar. A long ball forward from the hosts looked to be dangerous and Callum Minkley did very well to intervene. Ilkeston hit back with a Walker header that Joe Cracknell held on to before a Guiseley attack was ended by Sam Parker. Guiseley very nearly scored following a wonderful move on the half hour mark when a great cross from Liam Ridehalgh was met with a diving header by Harry Ibbotson which clipped the far post. Ilkeston had a chance when Tom Marshall acted quickest to latch onto a loose ball but his turn and shot flew wide. Ilkeston went ahead on 35 minutes following a right wing corner by Declan Eratt-Thompson which was drilled home with power by Daniel. The lead didn’t last long though as three minutes later the ball struck Marshall’s hand and a penalty was awarded which Jordan Thewlis converted. 

An early second half Ilkeston corner was headed wide by Marshall. On 62 minutes Kornell McDonald did really well breaking forward down the right but his cross flew across the face of the Guiseley goal with no one able to get on the end of it. Yates saved from Lewis Whitham at the other end as Guiseley started to get on top forcing several corners. A low drive by Whitham then forced Yates into a super save pushing the ball round the post as Guiseley’s pressure increased. Marshall had a chance for Ilkeston from a free kick but fired over the bar. There was real danger when Jack Emmett raced free down the right and into the penalty area but Minkley did brilliantly to stop him at the expense of a corner. On 85 minutes an Ilkeston counter attack saw a chance for Jonathan Wafula but his effort was parried by Cracknell. Ilkeston held out for a draw and the point was enough to put them back into the playoff positions.

 

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Interesting that on Facebook "The NPL Group" a lot of people are suggesting Warrington Rylands will get into the playoffs at the expense of Ilkeston. 
Rylands have 11 matches left and are 6 points behind Ilkeston who have 12 matches left.

Ilkeston remaining 12 matches                Predicted 
                                                                   Points
Tue 18 Feb.  H. Stockton Town.                    3
Sat 22 Feb.   A  Blyth Spartans                     3 
Sat 1 Mar.     H. Prescot Cables.                   3
Tue 4 Mar.     A  Gainsborough                      1
Sat 15 Mar.    H  Lancaster City                     3
Sat 22 Mar.    A  Stockton Town                     0
Sat 29 Mar.    H. Warrington Rylands.         ???
Sat 5 Apr.       A. Hebburn Town.                    0
Sat 12 Apr.     H. FC United                            3
Sat 19 Apr.     A. Macclesfield                         0
Mon 21 Apr.   H. Matlock Town                       1
Sat 26 Apr.     A. Bamber Bridge                     3
Total predicted points excluding               __
      Ilkeston v Rylands                                 20    plus points already  49   =  69


Warrington Rylands remaining 11 fixtures
Tue 18 Feb.    H. Leek Town                            3
Sat 22 Feb.     A  Basford United.                     3
Sat 1 Mar.       H. Gainsborough.                      3
Sat 15 Mar.      A. Blyth Spartans.                     3
Sat 22 Mar.      H. Worksop Town                      1
Sat 29 Mar.      A. Ilkeston Town                       ???
Sat 5 Apr.         H. Guiseley                                1
Sat 12 Apr.       A. Whitby Town                          3
Sat 19 Apr.       H. Lancaster City                       3
Mon 21 Apr.     A. Hyde United                           3
Sat 26 Apr.       H. Morpeth Town                        3
Total predicted points excluding                    __
       Ilkeston v Rylands                                     26  plus points already  43.   =  69 points


Those predicted points for Rylands are a big ask but if the above results happen then the match on Sat 29 March when the two teams meet could be crucial