Marshall injured.   Brandy and Stevens enter the field for Walker and Thornhill.   67 mins

Daniel cross  is met by Stevens whose shot to deflected wide.  Daniel replaced by Tyler Whyle on 80 mins

Last edited by Matchman (10/8/2025 8:14 AM)

Parker leaves the field .  Morpeth player is still on the floor in the goalmouth.
He's now been sretchered off  and we're off again 

Last edited by Matchman (09/8/2025 3:49 PM)

Langley comes out of his goal and misses the ball.  Defender rescues him.  Ilkeston corner. nothing from it.    The wind is now stronger.   Essien gets a yellow.   free kick Morpeth. We're in danger now,   Fox wins a free kick.  Fox misses a good chance.   Brave save by Wharton as the whistle goes   
Result.   Morpeth 1 Ilkeston 2

Last edited by Matchman (09/8/2025 9:07 PM)

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Sat 9th August 2025
Northern Premier League
Morpeth Town 1  Ilkeston Town 2 
Ilkeston began their 2025-26 Northern Premier League campaign with a long trip to Morpeth and first half goals by Jamie Walker and Connor Dixon gave them a flying start. Just before half time Morpeth’s Jeffrey Henderson was sent off for a last man foul and an Ilkeston victory looked assured. However, the ten man hosts did much better after the break. There was a long stoppage five minutes from time after a collision between Sam Parker and Nathan Buddle resulted in both needing extensive treatment for head injuries. Buddle left the field on a stretcher and Parker needed stitches. There was then a late goal by Cyril Giraud which gave Morpeth a chance of stealing a point with plenty of stoppage time remaining. But it was Ilkeston who finished the stronger and should have added to their lead. 

The first effort of the game was by Dylan Youmbi but keeper Dan Langley was behind it. The Morpeth keeper then had to race out to deny Harvey Kirby-Moore following a great ball forward by Sam Parker. Morpeth’s best effort was when Luke James fed Joel Holvey down the left who saw his acute angled lob land on the net. Ilkeston went ahead on 26 minutes when Walker scored from the spot after being fouled by Langley in the area.  Five minutes later Dixon doubled the lead  with a low flick with his back to goal and Ilkeston were in total control. More chances came Ilkeston’s way as they dominated possession. Dixon was so close to a second and then on 43 minutes came Henderson’s dismissal leaving Ilkeston in a very strong half time position. 

Ilkeston started the second period strongly and two efforts in quick succession were blocked by defenders. Kirby-Moore battled his way into the area before seeing his effort blocked too. A solo effort by Nic Bollado lifted Morpeth spirits but Ilkeston remained on top and Langley produced a super save to deny Kirby-Moore who was having a fine game. With another match to come on Tuesday both teams made substitutions and the game became less intense. But after the protracted injury holdup substitute Giraud fired a low drive into the bottom corner of Dylan Wharton’s net and gave Morpeth hope of a hitherto unlikely point. It wasn’t to be though as Ilkeston regrouped and didn’t allow them another opportunity while spurning two late chances themselves. 


 

Alex wrote:

How long did fox get?

Matt Thornhill. How did he play?

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Matt Thornhill was probably our best player in the first half when we controlled the game.  He only played about 10 minutes of the second half before he was subbed. 
Robbie Fox came on to replace injured Sam Parker right near the end so he got to play the 8 or 9 minutes of added time.  He's not played in a match competitively since he was injured at Carlton so he was a bit rusty and he missed what looked like a good chance. He didn't really have enough time to make an impact but he seems to have recovered from his injury.

There were some really good performances. We are really strong in midfield now with Thornhill's composure and Essien's bite. Dixon had a much better game and Kirby-Moore just keeps getting better. Youmbi also had an excellent game but in my opinion man of the match was Sam Parker. 

 

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Morpeth manager, Craig Lynch discusses the opening day defeat to Ilkeston

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANg1eBTpi0w