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We're sure to hit our 400 crowd limit for this match against one of our major rivals for promotion. 

Ilkeston v Stamford may only be our second match of the season but it feels so important. Both sides will be desperate not to lose.  A win would be a big confidence booster and a defeat would feel like a major setback. 

Playing at home and at night should give us a slight advantage but it's still going to be a really difficult game.  Whatever the result though, there are another 36 matches to be played. 

Martin Carruthers, Wayne Hallcro and Kelvin Wilson will ensure that the players are psyched up for this fixture and in a tight match the Ilkeston fans could be the force that gets their team over the line.

Supporters will be feeling really anxious as it's one of those games we are desperate to win and it's also one that could go either way. Make no mistake, Stamford will be looking to win but they would probably be happy with a draw.

​It's going to be a tense evening of drama.

​Let's hope there's nothing controversial that affects the outcome and we all go home buzzing.
 

It's matchday, it's our first home league game and it's a game of huge significance.

It's the Northern Premier League Match of the Day

Apparently the FA are visiting Non-League grounds checking that covid arrangements are in place and being adhered to. With our game being a big one it is possible that people from the FA  will be present. Remember to wear masks, observe social distancing and avoid group hugging when we score !
 

Last edited by Matchman (29/9/2020 9:25 AM)

Less than 15 minutes to kick off and both teams have completed their warm  ups.   It's going to be a big test for both of Ilkeston's young full backs, Charlie Marzano and Mitchell Tait. 

Stamford first to attack and they win a corner. Long shot by Limb but Durrant saves.    GOAL    Rob Morgan     4 minutes     0-1

Matwasa fires over.  Ilkeston doing a bit better now after the terrible start. Penalty to Ilkeston. Seemed a bit harsh to me but Troke was sent sprawling.  A Stamford player has been booked.

GOAL   Troke converts sending Haystead the wrong way         1-1     18 minutes

Last edited by Matchman (29/9/2020 6:04 PM)

Maguire is booked.  Siddons beats Durrant to ball but heads wide. Ball hits Taits hand giving Stamford free kick which flies across Durrant's goal and out.  Another Stamford header flies past the post..  Stamford are on top         1-1     31 minutes

Brown-Hill clears off the line. Chance for Goodson on the break  but his shot drifts wide.  Morgan shot saved well by Durrant. Morgan is the driving force for Stamford.     1-1     42 minutes

HALF TIMES
Frickley 0 Belper 3
Glossop 0 Newcastle 0
Kidsgrove 1 Leek 0
Lincoln 0 Cleethorpes 1
Loughborough 0 Spalding 0
Sheffield 0 Stocksbridge 3
Sutton 0 Carlton 0
Wisbech 0 Worksop 1

Free kick to Stamford on edge of D. Goes just over the bar.    Gate 393.  Close range save by Durrant saves Ilkeston on 49 minutes. It's started like the first half with Stamford dominating possession.    1-1      52 minutes

Big chance for Challiner  but he scoops it over.  That was a let off.  Goal for Stamford   Challiner    1-2      68 minutes

Great break by Ilkeston but Haystead makes super save.  It can go either way now.     
 2-2    78 minutes

Corner To Ilkeston  gets cleared and Jack Thomas gets booked. Good grab by Durrant under pressure.  Ilkeston now pressing but having no luck.   There's the whistle. It's finished   2-2.

Result  :   Ilkeston  2  Stamford  2

Match Report 

Tuesday 29th September 2020  :  Northern Premier League - South East Division
Ilkeston Town  2  Stamford  2
Ilkeston’s clash with promotion favourites Stamford lived up to expectations and a draw was probably a fair result with both sides probably feeling that they could have won.
Stamford made the better start and Rob Morgan fired them ahead after only 4 minutes. Boosted by the goal the visitors threatened to score again as Ilkeston were put under severe early pressure. Gradually the Robins fought their way back into the game and the equaliser came following a penalty award. Alex Troke was clipped as he cut in towards goal and the referee pointed to the spot. A Stamford player was booked for protesting but Troke took the kick and sent Haystead the wrong way on 18 minutes. Wounded by the equaliser Stamford continued to push forward and make chances. Headers by Siddons and Morgan were saved by Durrant. Ollie Brown-Hill then rescued Ilkeston with a goal-line clearance and when the first half ended Ilkeston were fortunate to be level.
The second half started started like the first and Durrant was forced to save from close range. Ilkeston fought back with a Troke header just too high from Mitchell Tait’s cross then Brown-Hill fired over from Goodson’s pass. At the other end a Morgan shot took a deflection and nearly crept in. On 68 minutes Stamford regained the lead through substitute Challinor. This produced a terrific response from Ilkeston. Stamford survived a goalmouth scramble then Reid’s first timer was brilliantly pushed round the post. Ilkeston were then awarded a second penalty for a handling offence by Cooke and the Stamford defender was sent off. Troke held his nerve and scored his second from the spot on 74 minutes. With a man advantage Ilkeston pressed for a winner but Stamford still looked dangerous so a point each was about right.

 

Very accurate description of last nights game which I agree with whole heartedly although I thought Kieran Fenton had his best in an Ilkeston shirt!

Perhaps Marzano has a bit more pace than Tom and Matwaasa was lightning fast. Tom would have probably tried to have killed him after twenty minutes. The two young backs did really after a shaky start to the game.