Hardwick and Wauchope on for Brandy and Meikle.   

Gains corner now.  Headed clear by Decan Eratt Thompson.  Ref giving Trinity everything now.    0-0.   85 mins

Last edited by Matchman (05/3/2025 5:07 AM)

3 minutes added time

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Tue 4th March 2025
Northern Premier League
Gainsborough Trinity 0  Ilkeston Town 0
A first half of few opportunities was followed by a much more entertaining second period. Ilkeston's supporters were left wondering when a penalty decision might go their way after having two confident appeals rejected in the second half. The first was when Harvey Kirby-Moore was sent tumbling in the box and the other was when Alex Hardwick’s shot hit the arm of a defender. Both looked strong shouts but Gainsborough came closest to scoring when Declan Howe thundered a shot against Matt Yates’s crossbar. 

Jordan Stevens and L’Varn Brandy saw shots blocked early on before Fraser Preston fired wide for Gainsborough. There was then a long period with defences on top until Jamie Walker’s excellent cross wasn’t quite reached by Kirby-Moore a few yards from goal. Stevens was dragged down when about to shoot but Colin Daniel’s attempt from the free kick was charged down. The half ended with two chances for the Holy Blues, Howe being denied by Yates and Ashley Jackson blazing over. 

The second half needed to be better and it was. Howe had an early opportunity for the hosts but put his shot wide. Brandy then broke free for Ilkeston before being stopped illegally by Lewis Butroid who received a booking. The Ilkeston players and fans couldn’t believe it when they didn’t get a penalty after Kirby-Moore was sent sprawling in the area on 62 minutes. Kirby-Moore then saw a header from Stevens’s cross brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Dylan Wharton before Gainsborough replied with Howe’s cracker which rattled the Ilkeston bar. Lindon Meikle was next to go close for Ilkeston before Alex Hardwick saw his shot hit the arm of a Trinity defender in the area. McKeal Abdullah was pulled back when trying to reach the loose ball but both of Ilkeston’s appeals for a penalty were ignored. The last five minutes saw both teams try to find a winner. Abdullah was denied by Wharton in added time so the game ended goalless and the points were shared.


 

I think you are spot on in saying it has been a good season. We are one of the top teams with one of the best managers! As we all know it’s not just the team that have to be developed to play at step two we also need to develop the club and generate the extra finance needed. If and when we get printed we need to be able to cope with virtually full time professional set ups. The last time we got to that level we went bust within a year! As for the Southern League I am planning to work out statistically which is the stronger league.