Ross-Lang replaces Thornhill. Roberts saves from Yawson.  
5 minutes added time
What an effort from Ilkeston today against a very good Lancaster

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Great cross by Walker but nobody there to finish
Roberts makes another outstanding save from a close range header. What a game he’s had.  City corner now.

Full time  Ilkeston 3  Lancaster City 0

Brilliant Ilkeston performance today

A massive 3 points

Last edited by Matchman (Yesterday 10:16 PM)

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Sat 17th January 2026
Northern Premier League 
IlkestonTown 3 Lancaster City 0
Sometimes luck goes your way and when Sam Parker’s shot took a big deflection past City’s keeper Brad Kelly,  Ilkeston produced probably their best home performance of the season. Up until then, high riding City had looked favourites to win but the goal gave Ilkeston a massive dose of confidence. 

Ilkeston started well but the first chance fell to City’s Steven Yawson who looked sure to score when one on one with Alfie Roberts but he dallied and fluffed his opportunity allowing Roberts to save. A similar opportunity presented itself to the normally reliable Nic Evangelinos who looked offside but was allowed to go on. This time Roberts did really well to block the shot with his body. Ilkeston’s best effort was from a Jordan Stevens free kick which brought an outstanding save from Kelly. On the half hour mark Parker’s deflected shot gave Ilkeston the lead and couple of minutes later it would have been 2-0 but for Kelly’s diving save to deny Stevens again. Just before the break City twice threatened to equalise. A header was just too high and a cracking shot by Yawson brought an equally good save by Roberts.  

On 55 minutes Parker rose highest to head home Stevens’s cross and this was followed five minutes later by a brilliant goal by L’Varn Brandy. The Ilkeston winger picked up the ball in his own half and drove forward to to edge of the area before firing low past Kelly. Even at 3-0 down  Lancaster never gave up searching for a way back and Roberts was always busy,  On 83 minutes City were awarded a penalty but this was to be Alfie Roberts’s day and he dived and held onto Lewis Mansell’s spot kick to preserve a richly deserved clean sheet. The three points lifted Ilkeston away from the congested bottom half of the table to 10th position.

 

Best performance by a ilkeston team since TC left.

It had everything a bit of luck,high energy, great passing and a clean sheet.

I must say I think this season the league is at its poorest Ive ever seen over the last 30 odd years.

I know it's ifs and buts but if TC would have been with us all season we would be top by a mile.

Let's keep playing like that and you never know we might end up in a playoff spot.