Nearly another for Spalding .  Ilkeston defence looking a bit shaky at times.        1-1.     42 mins

Good save by Wharton with outstretched foot as Spalding look for another goal.

Half time 1-1

It was fairly even first half but Spalding created the better chances with the speedy counter attacks. 

It’s now raining as we start the second half.      We’re off again ...........

 

Spalding header is just wide. At the other end  Dixon's blast is parried by Chapman and the ball  runs safe for Spalding.  Daniel has a go but his shot clears the bar. Brandy crosses and Fox header just wide.   1-1     59 mins

It s head out for Ilkeston corner.  Another corner.  Great spell of attacking now by Ilkeston.  Header goes just wide.       1-1.     64 mins

Brill tackle by Parker rescues Ilkeston . Now a Spalding corner.    Att 402.   

It's Spalding looking more likely to score just now.      1-1.     84mins

Full Time :  Ilkeston 1 Spalding 2

Just seen Deaks post match interview, to say he’s fuming is an understatement, not sure what he can do but get rid of some deadwood. Fox ain’t got what it takes, the keeper is no where near as good as last years LV can’t string to half games together and as the magority of the squad is from last year some hard decisions to be and should be made.
But at this stage of the season who’s floating around that’s available 

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Sat 30th August 2025
FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Ilkeston Town 1 Spalding United 2
A last minute goal by Maniche Sano-Sani dumped Ilkeston out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle. San Essien had given Ilkeston the lead when keeper Dylan Wharton made a crucial error which gave Spalding an immediate equaliser. Both sides had periods on top and the game looked to heading for a replay until Sano-Sani’s late decider. 
A strong wind made it difficult for both sides in the first half but it was Spalding who were creating the better opportunities with Yusifu Ceesay in particular causing problems and slamming an effort against the post in the opening 5 minutes. But it was Ilkeston who took the lead on 33 minutes when Sam Essien made a lot of ground before letting go a fine effort that crept inside the left post. The goal galvanised Spalding and the lead didn’t last long. It was moment to forget for keeper Wharton let the ball slip from his grip and allowed Jack Roberts to put the ball into the empty net. The goal boosted the visitors’ confidence and they came close to going ahead before half time when Wharton denied Alfie Bendle with a vital save.
On 50 minutes Robbie Fox did really well before forcing Spalding keeper Aaron Chapman into a fine save. This sparked Ilkeston’s best spell of the game when several opportunities were created but not taken. A fierce volley by Connor Dixon stung the gloves of Chapman then a Fox header was just wide.  A shot on the turn by Fox brought a fine diving save from Chapman before Spalding got a second wind in the closing stages. In the 91st minute Sano-Sani won it for the visitors with a glancing header from Jordan Nicholson’s free kick.  


 

Another FA Cup disappointment. The result could have gone either way but we couldn’t score when we were on top in the second half. Deaks, who normally shields the players from criticism finally ran out of patience.  He was really frustrated and angry at the defeat. I was told that he had a player lined up to come in but the player received a better offer and joined another club. 
Deaks said there were no positives from the game. Personally I thought a few players deserve some credit. 
Dixon who got the sponsors MOTM worked hard. Stevens had another decent game at full back and has great dead ball and in play distribution skills. Parker always gives 100% as does Daniel, Essien and Youmbi. As much as we all like Essien, unfortunately,he’s getting booked every game. 
Wharton made some good saves but it was his mistake which ultimately lost us the match. Fox is getting better but is his strike rate good enough?

Deaks was saying there’s going to be at least one in and one out. I wonder who the unlucky player could be. 

 

Last edited by Matchman (31/8/2025 6:54 AM)

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Losing 4 of our first 7 matches doesn’t look great but in mitigation we had some tough opponents. The only match that I was really disappointed at was Warrington Town (away) which we should never have lost. The other defeats were against good sides.

Sat 9 Aug.     A.  Morpeth Town.       NPL      2 - 1. Won
Tue 12 Aug.  H.  Gainsborough T     NPL      0 - 1  Lost
Sat 16 Aug.   H.  Prescot Cables.     NPL .    2 - 0. Won
Tue 19 Aug.  A.  Warrington Town.   NPL       0 - 1 Lost
Sat 23 Aug.   A.  Bamber Bridge.      NPL       0 - 2 Lost
Mon 25 Aug  H.  Hyde United.           NPL.     3 - 0 Won
Sat 30 Aug.   H. Spalding United.     FA Cup  1 - 2. Lost


 

Last edited by Matchman (31/8/2025 8:22 AM)

Trowell Nicky wrote:

Yeh, Deaks is not a happy man ...

https://youtu.be/5jOW53n563c?si=0K_xPyM74OJ5CbCL

 Deaks not happy at all , threatening to bring in one with one going out if needed .....
What a lot of fans are forgetting is that we havent got a large budget so we cant just pick a player up from somewhere . Plus who would we get anyway especially being so early into the season , only way i can see anyone coming in is on loan maybe.
 

Trowell Nicky wrote:

Just when I thought Dylan Wharton was being a bit more vocal and getting a bit more confident he gifts them their first goal. Why didn't he just pick the ball up? But he decides to kick it clear, and I wonder if he lost concentration for a split second because he thought was going to kick Tom Marshall on his follow-through?

https://youtu.be/0k79HO86p5c?si=Q-w6BuXz6Se6SjY8

I was in the stand and I sure I didn't hear the keeper . Fir me it was his fault as he was going to the ball and should shouted . If he did I didn't hear it . He seems to be too slow there were loads of times the players wanted the ball .. As a shot stopper , he's good but please shout and command your area better .