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The big weekend : Ilkeston v Khalsa and Walsall Wood v Westfields
Ilkeston v Sporting Khalsa on 23rd February is the biggest day of the season so far for both clubs. Both desperately want promotion and this match could go some way towards deciding who will be triumphant. There is still a way to go but an Ilkeston win will put them firmly in the driving seat. A Sporting Khalsa win would give them the advantage. A draw would not be a disaster for either side but Khalsa probably need the win more than Ilkeston.
Khalsa's success this season has been built around a remarkable defensive record. They have only conceded 29 goals in 27 matches. They have the best away record in the league and have conceded only 9 goals in their 12 away games.
Ilkeston have by far the best home record in the league winning 13 out 15 matches at the NMG. So who will prevail, Ilkeston's attack or Sporting Khalsa's defence?
Of course there are other teams with a chance to go up. Walsall Wood were promoted ahead of ilkeston last season so they know what is required. But this season's Premier Division has a lot of good sides. No result can be taken for granted and every win has to be fought for. Second place Walsall Wood are another side that would dearly like promotion and they are only 4 points behind Ilkeston. The deficit could be reduced to 1 point if Khalsa were to beat Ilkeston on Saturday.
For that to happen Walsall Wood have to win their big match on Saturday against 3rd place Westfields who are 4 points behind Wood. A defeat for Westfields would possibly end their promotion aspirations.
Coventry Sphinx are currently 12 points off the top but with 2 games in hand. They play against improving Romulus on Saturday and must win to keep up their challenge.
Shepshed Dynamo are currently 9 points off the top spot but still have an outside chance if they can put a late run together.
With most teams still having around ten matches to play things can change but the league table next Saturday night should give an indication of how the table may look at the end of April.
Last edited by Matchman (18/2/2019 10:53 AM)
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Re: The big weekend : Ilkeston v Khalsa and Walsall Wood v Westfields
Premier Division League Table at 19th Feb - TOP SIX
Points
P W D L F A GD PTS per game win %
1 Ilkeston Town 29 18 4 7 60 39 21 58 2.00 62.0
2 Walsall Wood 29 16 6 7 41 27 14 54 1.86 55.2
3 Westfields 30 15 8 7 60 36 24 53 1.77 50.0
4 Sporting Khalsa 27 15 5 7 43 29 14 50 1.85 55,5
5 Shepshed Dynamo 29 15 4 10 57 43 14 49 1.69 51.7
6 Coventry Sphinx 27 14 4 9 44 33 11 46 1.70 51.9
Ilkeston are currently averaging 2 points per game, closely followed by Walsall Wood (1.86) and Sporting Khalsa (1.85).
Worcester City averaged 2 points per game last season and only finished 4th
But this year's Premier Division is much more competitive and 2 points per game (ie 76 points for 38 matches) could well be enough to win the league.
To reach 76 points Ilkeston need another 18 points from 9 matches (that's 6 wins).
It's so important that we beat Sporting Khalsa or at the very least we don't lose.
With six teams still in with a chance of finishing in the top spot it could be an incredibly tight finish and not be decided until the final Saturday.
Or one of the top six could seize the opportunity by strengthening their team and putting a winning run together.
The outcome of Ilkeston's match against Sporting Khalsa this Saturday is of massive importance. If we were to lose, then 6 wins from the final 8 matches becomes a much more difficult task and it would be a very nervous final few games which include Walsall Wood on the penultimate Saturday.
Last edited by Matchman (20/2/2019 8:57 AM)
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Re: The big weekend : Ilkeston v Khalsa and Walsall Wood v Westfields
Sporting Khalsa’s season
Sporting Khalsa finished 5th last season with 71 points from 42 matches, a commendable performance indeed but this season they hope to do much better. They are currently 4th and have 50 points from 27 games and have games in hand over the teams above them. Along with Ilkeston, Walsall Wood, Westfields and Coventry Sphinx they are in with a real chance of finishing top and gaining promotion. Ilkeston certainly see Sporting Khalsa as the main threat to their own promotion ambitions and will be desperate to avenge the 0-1 defeat they incurred at Sporting Khalsa’s excellent stadium in September. Khalsa’s success this season has been built round a mean defence. They have conceded only 29 goals in 27 matches including 12 clean sheets. They are particularly mean in away games having conceded only 9 goals in 12 matches. Ilkeston are the league’s highest scorers and have scored 41 goals at home in 15 matches. Ilkeston have the best home record in the league and Sporting Khalsa have the best away record so today’s vital match could go either way and is seen as a six pointer for both sides.
Sporting Khalsa’s 15 wins to date have been against :
Highgate United (H) 2-0
Loughborough (H) 2-0
Wolves Sporting (H) 4-1
Wulfrunians (A) 2-0
Ilkeston Town (H) 1-0
Sth Normanton (H) 4-2
Boldmere S M (A) 2-0
Romulus (H) 4-2
Coventry Utd (A) 2-0
Dunkirk (A) 1-0
Wulfrunians (H) 4-1
Quorn (H) 3-1
Westfields (A) 1-0
Shepshed (H) 2-0
Coventry Sphinx (A) 2-0
Their 5 Draws have been against :
Long Eaton (A) 1-1
Stourport Swifts (H) 0-0
Lye Town (A) 0-0
Walsall Wood (H) 1-1
Worcester City (H) 2-2
Their 7 Defeats have been against :
Highgate Utd (H) 0-2
Westfields (H) 0-4
Boldmere S M (H) 0-2
Stourport Swifts (A) 2-4
Quorn (A) 1-2
Long Eaton (H) 0-2
Shepshed (A) 1-2
Sporting Khalsa’s remaining eleven matches are against:
Ilkeston Town (A)
Lye Town (H)
Coventry Sphinx (H)
Sth Normanton (A)
Loughborough ( A)
Highgate Utd (A)
Wolves Sporting (A)
Coventry United (H)
Romulus (A)
Walsall Wood (A)
Dunkirk (H)
So seven of Sporting Khalsa’s remaining eleven fixtures are away from home making it a tough run in. The key matches will be against their promotion rivals ie. today’s game at Ilkeston and the matches against Coventry Sphinx and Walsall Wood. But it’s in their own hands. If they win every game Sporting Khalsa will be Champions.
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Re: The big weekend : Ilkeston v Khalsa and Walsall Wood v Westfields
Another slant on the big weekend : "Title Chasers Braced for Pivotal Weekend"
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Re: The big weekend : Ilkeston v Khalsa and Walsall Wood v Westfields
The big day is here - Which way will the game unfold ? Will it end in elation or disappointment?
We can be good - Look at our home record - 13 wins from 15 matches in the league plus 3 league cup wins
We can be bad - the defeats against : Coventry Sphinx, Belper Utd, and South Normanton.
We can be disappointing - Unexpected defeat against Eastwood
We’ve not had a draw at the NMG so far which is unusual so today may be the day. The best scenario for us today would be a win for ourselves and Westfields but that may be too much to hope for. But if Ilkeston get the win then it doesn’t matter so much about the other game.
I’m going for a draw in both matches which leaves each team still in the frame and as they were.
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