WhiteBallProject » Tue 5th Aug 25 _ Ilkeston v Derby County U23s (pre-season)

Matchman · 03/8/2025 5:56 PM

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On Tuesday evening 5th Aug we play our final pre-season game before the start of the season on Saturday 9th Aug.

We're expecting a fair crowd for this match so please arrive early. Please note the kickoff time is 7pm.

Last edited by Matchman (04/8/2025 5:37 AM)

Matchman · 04/8/2025 5:55 AM

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The friendly against Derby County Under 23s gives Ian Deakin one final look at his squad in a competitive match and it gives the players one final opportunity to stake their claim for a place in the team.

Last edited by Matchman (04/8/2025 6:00 AM)

Matchman · 05/8/2025 8:20 AM

It's Match Day
Tonight at the New Manor Ground, Ilkeston Town face Derby County Under 23's in their final pre-season friendly.
Tuesday 5th August 2025
Admission £5 , (U12s free)
Early Kick-off - 7pm
Microlise New Manor Ground, DE7 8JF

Last edited by Matchman (05/8/2025 3:04 PM)

Matchman · 05/8/2025 5:48 PM

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it's ten minutes to kickoff.

Your Robins squad for this evening’s pre-season friendly with Derby County U23s
1. Frankie Shepherd
2. Callum Minkley
3. Colin Daniel
4. Logan Green
5. Tyler Whyle
6. Sam Parker (C)
7. L'Varn Brandy
8. Dorian Sulkowski
9. Harvey Kirby-Moore
14. Dylan Youmbi
12. Jordan Stevens

10. Matty Thornhill
11. Jamie Walker
13. Sam Essien
15. Tom Marshall
16. Connor Dixon
17. Robbie Fox
21. Dylan Wharton (GK)

Last edited by Matchman (05/8/2025 5:52 PM)

Matchman · 05/8/2025 6:05 PM

The teams are out Ilkeston in red, Derby in all grey.
Ilkeston are defending the car park end. we're off.....

Stevens sets up Kirby-Moore but he doesn't connect properly. Derby shot goes miles wide. Brilliant touch by Stevens creates a chance but the shot is blocked. 0-0. 4 mins

Matchman · 05/8/2025 6:13 PM

Good play by Youmbi down the right. Ilkeston corner and a header hits the bar. Lucky escape for Derby.
Bullet shot by Youmbi brings a fine save by Rams keeper. 0-0. 12 mins

Matchman · 05/8/2025 6:21 PM

So far, plenty of good possession by Derby but without really threatening to score. Good aggressive defending by Sam Parker averts danger. 0-0. 21 mins

Matchman · 05/8/2025 6:31 PM

Derby are having more possession now but it's slow build-up. A Derby free kick flies low across goal with no one on the end of it. Now it's a Derby corner. Shepherd collects it.
0-0. 31 mins

Last edited by Matchman (05/8/2025 6:32 PM)

Matchman · 05/8/2025 6:40 PM

Youmbi intercepts a back pass and he's tripped as he advances toward goal. A corner follows the free kick but it's cleared. Youmbi is so close. His shot flies past the post. Then Stevens's shot is blocked. It's Ilkeston creating all the chances. 0-0. 39 mins

Matchman · 05/8/2025 6:41 PM

Youmbi intercepts a back pass and he's tripped as he advances toward goal. A corner follows the free kick but it's cleared. Youmbi is so close. His shot flies past the post. Then Stevens's shot is blocked. It's Ilkeston creating all the chances. 0-0. 39 mins

Matchman · 05/8/2025 6:44 PM

Shepherd saves a rare Derby shot on goal. Goal for Derby following a good move down the left Ilkeston 0 Derby 1. 44 mins.

Matchman · 05/8/2025 6:45 PM

Half Time : Ilkeston 0 Derby u23s 1

Matchman · 05/8/2025 6:48 PM

Ilkeston have had far more chances but Derby lead at half time.

Matchman · 05/8/2025 7:02 PM

We're off again.......

Matchman · 05/8/2025 7:09 PM

Colin Daniel leaves the field after treatment , he's replaced by Walker.
its Derby on the front foot at the start of the second half. Great tackle by Whyle ends a great run by Derby No 13. 0-1. 53 mins

Matchman · 05/8/2025 7:17 PM

Att 304
Derby continue their strong start. Sulkowski shot stings the hands of Derby keeper. Not sure if Derby have changed some players but they're much better this half. 0-1 61 mins

Matchman · 05/8/2025 7:21 PM

Penalty to Ilkeston

Matchman · 05/8/2025 7:23 PM

Walker shot rattles the cross bar. - still 0-1 67 mins

Matchman · 05/8/2025 7:27 PM

Saving tackle by Minkley when it looked like Derby would score. 0-1. 72 mins

Matchman · 05/8/2025 7:31 PM

Youmbi has stayed down after taking a knock. He's left the field.
Equaliser is scrambled in. 1-1. 75 mins

Matchman · 05/8/2025 7:39 PM

Amazing recovery and save by Shepherd keeps it 1-1. Stevens is just wide with a shot from a tight angle after racing forward with the ball. 1-1. 84 mins

Matchman · 05/8/2025 7:45 PM

Ilkeston are finishing strongly now and looking for a winner. 1-1. 90 mins

Matchman · 05/8/2025 9:11 PM

Full time 1-1

Alex · 05/8/2025 10:53 PM

For what I saw of the mate ( very busy in the shop again) it looked a good game. I sometimes thing it would be good for us to have a training match in the season against teams like this. 3 , 30 minutes half's.

On the the pitch that lad Logan green is a player for us. Play him now like Kev Wilson did, next minute you know another player sold on. That's what keeps clubs like us alive.

Time for a moan

It's been over 18 months now we haven't had a out and out left back or right back.

Sorry to say JW or CD are not left backs or SP ( still don't know how he got player of the year, when at the start of last season couldn't get into the team)
Right back, feel sorry CM because in my eyes I think he's a better centre half that TM and TM can not play right back because he's not fast enough.

Deaks has some very hard decisions ahead but like I have said before it's time to jump a board the ITFC rollercoaster once again.

Matchman · 06/8/2025 3:30 AM

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Thanks for that Alex. I don't agree with you but your opinion is every bit as relevant as mine.

You say we haven't got an out and out left or right back.
That may be so but what we do have is several players who can do an adequate job there. When you have a small squad you need players who can operate well in several positions. Jamie Walker, Colin Daniel, Sam Parker and Callum Minkley are all comfortable playing there.

You had a go at Sam Parker and Tom Marshall.
These are two players who give 100% every game. In my opinion Tom Marshall doesn't get the credit he deserves and Sam Parker's commitment cannot be questioned. Both contribute goals from set pieces. And yes Minkley is good cover for Marshall at centre back if needed.

Logan Green
Yes he had a good game last night and he has every chance of breaking into the team.

I wasn't sure how good keeper Frankie Shepherd was but I was impressed by his performance last night.

My opinion is that we now have a better squad than last season and capable of making a playoff challenge. Time will tell. We now have at least three players who should score regularly in Robbie Fox, Dylan Youmbi and Harvey Kirby-Moore. We have a stronger midfield with combative Sam Essien, Connor Dixon, Matt Thornhill and the potential quality of Jordan Stevens.

Last season we had a best eleven. This season I cannot say what out best eleven is. That shows the strength of our squad.