WhiteBallProject » Tue 7 Jul 26 : Ilkeston v Stapleford Town (friendly) NMG 7 45pm

Matchman · 04/7/2026 8:34 PM

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Friday’s opening pre-season friendly is followed on Tuesday night with a home game against Stapleford Town who play in the United Counties League.

Tue 7th July
New Manor Ground
Ko 7 45pm
Adults £5, Concessions £3

Last edited by Matchman (05/7/2026 11:29 AM)

Matchman · 05/7/2026 11:24 AM

Hope we get a good crowd for our first home pre-season friendly to show Tristram and Aaron that the fans are behind them. The win against Belper United was a good start and we need to follow it up with dominant performance against Stabbo. The management duo will have a good idea of the players they need and there will be several others still to convince them. Performances will improve as the players get to know each other. Jordan Stevens wasn’t at the Belper game and neither was contract signing Pharrell Johnson (probably on holiday). Look out for striker Jevin Seaton, he was good against Belper.

Last edited by Matchman (05/7/2026 11:26 AM)

Matchman · 07/7/2026 5:08 AM

Match Preview
Ilkeston Town vs Stapleford Town
Jul 6, 2026

The Robins return to the Microlise New Manor Ground on Tuesday evening (7:45pm kick-off) as they host Stapleford Town in the first of four home pre-season fixtures.
Fresh from an impressive 4-2 victory away at Belper United, Tris Whitman’s side will be looking to continue their positive start to pre-season in front of the Robins faithful.
Ilkeston found the net four times on Friday evening, with new signing Jevin Seaton opening his account for the club alongside midfielder Lewis Belgrave, while two trialists also got on the scoresheet.

Reflecting on the victory, manager Tris Whitman said:
“The game against Belper was our first proper chance to have a look at the lads in a game situation and generally we were quite happy.
“Only a few weeks ago we would have struggled to field a team, so I was delighted with the progress we’ve made so far off the field.
“As expected, the game was always going to present certain challenges due to trying to integrate so many new faces, but at times some of the work we have done in training was evident.
“We started the game with control and took the lead through a set piece but then had a period where we looked uncomfortable and uncertain, which Belper were able to capitalise on and level the score.
“It took a little while to settle after that, but I felt we then showed real composure and control, which saw us take a 3-1 lead into half-time.
“Eight changes disrupted the flow in the second half before we started to display patterns and control of possession, which led to us adding a fourth.
“Overall, I’m really pleased with the minutes the lads got, alongside some glimpses of the things we’ve been working on.
“There’s still loads to reflect on and develop over the coming weeks in preparation for the new season.”

Supporters are encouraged to get behind the Robins as preparations continue for the 2026/27 campaign and an exciting new era at the club.
As is the case on the pitch, the club continues to innovate off it too. Supporters are encouraged to arrive early, with a brand-new promotional video set to premiere on the stadium’s outdoor screen from 7:30pm, ahead of kick-off.

Match Details
Fixture: Ilkeston Town vs Stapleford Town
Competition: Pre-Season Friendly
Venue: Microlise New Manor Ground
Date: Tuesday 7th July
Kick-off: 7:45pmAdmission

Adults: £5
Under-11s: FREE
Pay on the gate

We look forward to welcoming the Robins faithful back to the Microlise New Manor Ground for another evening of pre-season football.

Last edited by Matchman (07/7/2026 5:10 AM)

Matchman · 07/7/2026 2:21 PM

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Stapleford Town play in the United Counties League Division One (step 6). That’s one Step below the likes of Belper United, Clay Cross, Eastwood, Heanor, Hucknall and Kimberley who all play in the United Counties Premier Division North so our players and trialists should be able to show what they can do tonight.

Matchman · 07/7/2026 6:38 PM

Five minutes to kickoff.

Matchman · 07/7/2026 6:46 PM

Tonight’s starting eleven :

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Last edited by Matchman (07/7/2026 6:47 PM)

Matchman · 07/7/2026 6:48 PM

We’re off

Matchman · 07/7/2026 6:56 PM

It’s all about keeping possession so far. Neither keeper has been troubled 0-0. 10 mins.

Matchman · 07/7/2026 6:59 PM

Goal Ilkeston on 14 mins. 1-0. (scorer : Trialist)

Last edited by Matchman (07/7/2026 7:05 PM)

Matchman · 07/7/2026 7:16 PM

Ilkeston midfield no 4 looks promising. No 10 fires over from close range, then sees a great effort brilliantly saved by keeper. Goal Jevin Seaton 2-0 29 mins

Matchman · 07/7/2026 7:35 PM

Good save by Wilson prevents Stapleford from scoring. Ilkeston free kick on the penalty area dee. Shot hits the wall.. Great play by Ilkeston no 8 which ends with a shot at goal which keeper saves. Ross-Lang cross headed over by Seaton.
Half time : Ilkeston 2 Stapleford 0.

Matchman · 07/7/2026 7:38 PM

Ilkeston dominated the first half and are good value for their 2-0 lead. Stapeford will be happy to be only two goals behind.

Matchman · 07/7/2026 7:50 PM

Several subs on for the second half. Some decent Ilkeston moves are not quite coming off. Great link up play between ex Rushall lad and Seaton ends with Seaton scoring his second goal of the game. 3-0

Last edited by Matchman (07/7/2026 8:01 PM)

Matchman · 07/7/2026 8:06 PM

Bullet header from Ilkeston no 18 hits a defender on the line.

Last edited by Matchman (07/7/2026 9:28 PM)

Matchman · 07/7/2026 8:10 PM

Perfect chip by ex-Rushall player (Harry Wakefield) but he’s been flagged offside so it won't count.

Last edited by Matchman (07/7/2026 8:12 PM)

Matchman · 07/7/2026 8:17 PM

Big chance for Stapleford but shot goes over bar with the goal gaping. 3-0 75 mins

Matchman · 07/7/2026 8:35 PM

Another great run by Wakefield gets no reward.

Its finished. : Ilkeston 3 Stapleford 0

Not the most convincing scoreline but it’s a clean sheet and two more goals for Jevin Seaton.

Matchman · 08/7/2026 5:07 AM

Colin Daniel was at the match but didn’t take part and I was told that Jordan Stevens was on holiday. The first half team made up of mainly signed players dominated play and could have scored more. From the start we had loads of possession and it looked like the players had been told to concentrate on keeping the ball. We particularly looked strong in midfield and at the back with our big defenders winning most of the headers. The half time changes allowed Stapleford to do better but gradually we got back into the ascendancy. Harry Wakefield showed some good speed and attacking flair.
So two matches played and both won quite easily but against lower ranked opposition. Stapleford Town are Step 6 but they finished 3rd in their league last season with 89 points from 44 matches.
Saturday’s visit to Worksop will be a much sterner test against better quality Step 2 opposition so should give us a better idea of where we are.

Last edited by Matchman (08/7/2026 5:39 AM)

Chuckle · 09/7/2026 9:44 AM

Jordan Stevens was at the Match but didn't take part.
Not sure if he is carrying an injury.