Depending who we have up front I think we will struggle . Deffo need a forward who can hold the ball up as well attack . Old school really but that's we need against a very good team .

Matchman wrote:

.

Supporters Buses to the Ashton United match:  Sat 1st Feb 2025

Pick Up times:

Supporters early bus:  Kirk Hallam 09:50 - Market Place 09:55 - Ground 10.00

Supporters travelling on the team bus : Coach leaves Ground 11.00 prompt



  
 

cheers John . I am still ok for now in still going to the game .  Will the players coach be stopping on route ? 

Last edited by kevilsonlad (31/1/2025 10:57 AM)

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Ashton United are the current number one form team. Over the last ten matches they have picked up 22 points. (The same as Macclesfield).  

By contrast, Ilkeston have picked up 19 points from their last ten matches so only 3 points less than Ashton. 

Its fair to say we go into this match as underdogs especially as we no longer have Tom Cursons who scored most of our goals.   

But : 
Ashton, like us, will recognise that this is a difficult game against one of their main playoff rivals. 
As Ashton are currently 6 points ahead of Ilkeston, they will want to win but they would probably not be too disappointed with a draw. 
An Ilkeston defeat would leave them nine points behind Ashton and Ashton would then be become favourites to take the second playoff spot behind Guiseley.

An Ilkeston defeat would also give an opportunity to Stockton to edge us out of the playoff positions if they beat Workington away.





 

Last edited by Matchman (31/1/2025 5:32 PM)

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NPL preview - Saturday 1 February 

Play-off battle between Ilkeston and Ashton headlines weekend action  

There are 10 games on offer this weekend in the Northern Premier League's top division, including big games between sides currently in the play-offs, as well as teams in the bottom four. The weekend’s featured game comes from Hurst Cross, as Ashton United host Ilkeston Town. For Ian Deakin's side, it will be their first league outing without the free-scoring forward Tom Cursons, who completed a move to League Two side Harrogate Town a little over a week ago. They take on a Robins side who have picked up maximum points in seven of their last nine league games - a run which has seen them climb up to third in the table. 

Towards the foot of the table, each side beginning the weekend in the bottom four face off against another side in the relegation zone. First, Blyth Spartans will be aiming to pick up a second straight win after ending their run of 16 without one when they travel to Basford United, who sit bottom of the form table with just one point to show from their last 10 games. A win for Blyth would see them cut the gap between themselves and the side in 21st to five points, whilst still having two games in hand.  

Alongside a battle between the two bottom clubs, the sides directly above them face off as well, as Mickleover host Bamber Bridge. Neither side can climb out of the bottom four with a win, but Bamber Bridge will be hoping to cut the gap to at least two points with their first win in eight games. 

Dominant league leaders Macclesfield were given an extra boost in midweek as their nearest challengers Guiseley lost away at Morpeth Town - their first defeat in the league in over four months. They travel to Hebburn Town who, whilst sitting five points off the play-offs, will be hoping that the loss of Tom Cursons for Ilkeston can open up an opportunity for them to close the gap in the race for the top five. If they are able to inflict defeat on Macclesfield, it’ll be their first win since New Year’s Day. 

Guiseley will be eager to bounce back from their midweek defeat as the Lions welcome Lancaster City to Nethermoor. Lancaster have only picked up one win in their last nine games. The reverse fixture in October ended in a 1-1 stalemate - one of 13 draws the Dolly Blues have racked up in the league this season. 

A midweek win over in-form Leek Town has Stockton Town just two points off the play-offs. They’ll be hoping that results go their way so a win at Workington can see them climb into the top-five. Victory won’t come easy though, as the Reds have picked up maximum points in each of their last two games. 

A Manchester derby takes place at Broadhurst Park, as FC United of Manchester take on Hyde United. An upturn in form for Mark Beesley’s side, paired with an unenviable form guide for Hyde United, including no wins in their last seven, has the two sides who started the season in polarising fashion level on points as we head into February. The winner of Saturday's match-up can climb as high as eighth in the table. 

Morpeth Town are looking to down yet another promotion hopeful as they host Worksop Town at Craik Park. Worksop performed a miraculous comeback in second-half added time in the Sheffield Senior Cup in midweek, and they will be hoping to take that momentum into this weekend, in the hopes of ending their current three-game winless run. 

After suffering their first defeat since mid-December on Wednesday, Leek Town take on a side who tasted victory in midweek as they lock horns with Prescot Cables. Two straight wins for Cables have seen them climb out of the bottom four. Another victory over Leek could see them edge closer to the sides in the top half of the division. 

And despite just one win in their last five, Matlock Town remain one of the form teams over the last 10 games in the division. They travel to a Warrington Rylands side who now have the longest current unbeaten run in the division, as they aim to go 10 without losing against Ryan Cresswell’s Gladiators. 
All games are set to kick off at 3pm. 

Fixtures - Saturday 1 February 

• Ashton United vs Ilkeston Town
• Basford United vs Blyth Spartans
• FC United of Manchester vs Hyde United
• Guiseley vs Lancaster City
• Hebburn Town vs Macclesfield
• Leek Town vs Prescot Cables
• Mickleover vs Bamber Bridge
• Morpeth Town vs Worksop Town
• Warrington Rylands vs Matlock Town
• Workington vs Stockton Town

Last edited by Matchman (31/1/2025 8:05 PM)

 
UPDATES  14:10
 
Premier League
Newcastle United 0 Fulham 0
Nottingham Forest 5 Brighton & Hove Albion 0
 
Championship
Derby County 0 Sheffield United 0
 
EFL Division One
Barnsley 0 Burton Albion 0
Shrewsbury Town 0 Mansfield Town 0
 
FL Division Two
Cheltenham Town 0 Chesterfield 0
Gillingham 1 Notts County 2
 
FA Trophy Fifth Round
Gainsborough Trinity 0 Woking 0
 
National League North
Buxton 0 Southport 0
 
Northern Premier League Premier Division
Ashton United 0 Ilkeston Town 0
Basford United 0 Blyth Spartans 0
FC United of Manchester 0 Hyde United 0 
Guiseley 0 Lancaster City 0
Hebburn Town 0 Macclesfield 0
Leek Town 0 Prescot Cables 0
Mickleover 0 Bamber Bridge 0
Morpeth Town 0 Worksop Town 0
Warrington Rylands 0 Matlock Town 0
Workington 0 Stockton Town
 
Northern Premier League East Division
Ashington 0 Consett 0
Carlton Town 0 Grimsby Borough 0
Garforth Town 0 Heaton Stannington 0
Liversedge 0 Belper Town 0
Sherwood Colliery 0 Emley 0
 
Northern Premier League Midland Division
Long Eaton United 0 BoldmereSt Michaels 0
Quorn 0 Corby Town 0
Shepshed Dynamo 0 Loughborough Students 0
 
Lowland League 
Berwick Rangers 0 East Stirlingshire 0
 
FA Vase Fifth Round
Heanor Town 0 Crook Town 0
North Shields 0 Whitchurch Alport 0
 
Northern League Division One
Blyth Town 0 Whickham 0
Whitley Bay 0 Shildon 0
Redcar 0 Prudhoe 0
 
Northern League Division One
Bedlington Terriers 0 Sunderland West End 0
Newcastle University 0 Darlington Town 0
Ryton & Crawcrook Allbion 0 Alnwick Town 0

It's 10 mins to kickoff. It's dull and cold but it's dry so far
It looks like it could be heavy going on the grass pitch.
The teams are out. Ashton in red. Ilkeston in blue.

We're off...........
 

Last edited by Matchman (01/2/2025 3:01 PM)

Wafula fouled so free kick Ilkeston but keeper collects Declan's cross under the bar. Another Ilkeston free kick in similar position bur its headed clear.        0-0.    13 mins

Great shot from the right by Byrne brings a diving save from Yates. Good block by McDonald. Good interception by Meikle. Ilkeston header (Marshall i think) headed off the line by Ashton defender  Now Ilkeston corner.  Wafula shot goes just wide.  Good spell by Ilkeston.      0-0.    26 mins

Last edited by Matchman (01/2/2025 3:28 PM)

Good defending by Marshall , Then Walker at the other end crosses but keeper grabs. It's end to end now.
0-0.    30 mins

 
UPDATES  14:40
 
Premier League
Newcastle United 1 Fulham 0
Nottingham Forest 7 (seven)  Brighton & Hove Albion 0 ft
 
Championship
Derby County 0 Sheffield United 0
 
EFL Division One
Barnsley 0 Burton Albion 0 ft
Shrewsbury Town 0 Mansfield Town 1
 
FL Division Two
Cheltenham Town 1 Chesterfield 0 ft
Gillingham 1 Notts County 2 ft
 
FA Trophy Fifth Round
Gainsborough Trinity 0 Woking 1
 
National League North
Buxton 1 Southport 0
 
Northern Premier League Premier Division
Ashton United 0 Ilkeston Town 0
Basford United 0 Blyth Spartans 0
FC United of Manchester 0 Hyde United 0 
Guiseley 0 Lancaster City 0
Hebburn Town 0 Macclesfield 0
Leek Town 0 Prescot Cables 0
Mickleover 0 Bamber Bridge 0
Morpeth Town 0 Worksop Town 1
Warrington Rylands 1 Matlock Town 0
Workington 1 Stockton Town 1
 
Northern Premier League East Division
Ashington 0 Consett 0
Carlton Town 1 Grimsby Borough 0
Garforth Town 0 Heaton Stannington 0
Liversedge 0 Belper Town 0
Sherwood Colliery 0 Emley 1
 
Northern Premier League Midland Division
Long Eaton United 0 BoldmereSt Michaels 0
Quorn 2 Corby Town 0
Shepshed Dynamo 2 Loughborough Students 1
 
Lowland League 
Berwick Rangers 0 East Stirlingshire 0
 
FA Vase Fifth Round
Heanor Town 0 Crook Town 0
North Shields 1 Whitchurch Alport 1
 
Northern League Division One
Blyth Town 0 Whickham 0
Whitley Bay 0 Shildon 0
 
Northern League Division Two
Bedlington Terriers 0 Sunderland West End 0
Newcastle University 0 Darlington Town 1
Redcar Town 1 Prudhoe 0
Ryton & Crawcrook Allbion 1 Alnwick Town 0
 
 
EX Robin UPDATES
Marcus Hoeness on the bench for Derby County
Ashley Hunter starts for Accrington Stanley
Declan Howe starts for Gainsborough Trinity
Reco Fyfe and Zak Goodson start for Quorn
Roger Lee and Paddy Webb on bench for Quorn
Ross Durrant starts for Corby Town

Half time.   0-0







 

We're off again....