WhiteBallProject / Sat 26 Apr 25 : Last Match : Bamber Bridge v Ilkeston : Ko 3pm

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 24/4/2025 7:58 AM

Last match of the season.
After being in with a chance of making the playoffs our recent loss of form has seen us pick up only two points from our last three matches. Bamber Bridge on the other hand have pulled away from relegation danger with three straight wins against Worksop, Ashton and Lancaster. So we go into the final game with the prospect of finishing 8th after being in the top six since October.
The two teams who can go above us are Gainsborough and Morpeth. Gainsborough are in good form having won their last three and Morpeth are six games unbeaten.

While it's a slightly disappointing end to the season I think that we can say we are now an established team in this very tough league after two top half finishes since our promotion to this level. We've certainly done better this season than our neighbours, Mickleover, Basford and Matlock who are relegated.

Ilkeston are currently in 6th place with 63 points, two points more than Gainsborough and Morpeth so a draw against Bamber Bridge would ensure that we finish 6th as we have a much superior goal difference than the Holy Blues or the Highwaymen.

Last edited by Matchman (25/4/2025 4:45 AM)

**Posted by WhiteBallProject** **Online!** 25/4/2025 9:16 AM

**Posted by WhiteBallProject** **Online!** 25/4/2025 9:16 AM

**Posted by WhiteBallProject** **Online!** 25/4/2025 9:16 AM

**Posted by WhiteBallProject** **Online!** 25/4/2025 9:17 AM

**Posted by WhiteBallProject** **Online!** 25/4/2025 9:17 AM

**Posted by kevilsonlad** 25/4/2025 10:35 PM

cant get yet again mainly because of home issues ......Been really disapointing for me this season in not getting to the games ...

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 26/4/2025 10:36 AM

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Unfortunately I can't make the game today due to a family event, so no match updates from me.

But I'll be keeping up to date with score updates from Flashscore.

Good luck to the team and I hope supporters have a great day .

Last edited by Matchman (26/4/2025 10:38 AM)

**Posted by Trowell Nicky** 26/4/2025 4:44 PM

Interesting lineup today. Apparently the players drew a number out of a hat after training on Thursday. Apart from goalkeeper - Deaks made sure Matt Yates got the Number 1.

Jamie Walker - manager
Alex Marshall - assistant manager

This was our starting eleven ..

Matt Yates in goal

Connor Dixon left back
Harvey Kirby Moore right back
Sam Essien centre back
Colin Daniels centre back

Callum Minkley midfield
Sam Parker midfield
Kornell McDonald midfield

Tom Marshall left wing
Declan centre forward
Alex Hardwick right wing

**Posted by Trowell Nicky** 26/4/2025 5:06 PM

An enjoyable game that got quite feisty at the end.

Thought we played really well first half and bossed the game. They came back strongly in the last half hour and we were hanging on a bit at the end.

I thought Sam Essien was terrific at centreback - he's just a good footballer who could play in any position and do well.

Harvey Kirby-Moore did really well at right back.

And I thought Sam Parker in midfield/left back and Kornell McDonald in midfield played well.

Good goal from Declan - won his own flick on on the halfway line and ran through and tucked it away really nicely.

So in this game of everything turned on its head, who takes the penalty we win? Yep, Matt Yates. Blasted it over unfortunately.

Really good vibe at the game today. Helped by winning of course, but also fantastic fancy dress and nonstop singing from our fans.

Roll on next season!

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 26/4/2025 6:34 PM

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Great to win our final match and seal a 6th place finish.

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 27/4/2025 2:10 AM

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NPL Premier Division - Final Table 2024-25

, P. W. D. L. F. A. +/- Pts
C. Macclesfield 42. 35. 4. 3. 109 30. 79. 109
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2. Worksop Town. 42. 26. 5. 11. 96. 51 45. 83
3. Stockton Town 42. 23. 6. 13. 66. 47. 19. 75
4. Guiseley 42. 20. 14. 8. 67. 45. 22. 74
5. Ashton United. 42 20. 9. 13. 72. 58 14. 69
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6. Ilkeston Town. 42. 18. 12. 12. 69. 56. 13. 66
7. Gainsborough Trinity 42. 18. 10. 14. 58 53 5. 64
8. Morpeth Town. 42. 16. 14. 12. 57 61. -4. 62
9. Hyde United. 42. 14. 15 13. 59. 63. -4. 57
10 Prescot Cables. 42. 16. 9. 17. 49. 54. -5. 57
11 Warrington Rylands. 42. 14 14 14. 60 53. 7. 56
12 Workington AFC. 42. 15. 7. 20. 61. 65. -4. 52
13 Bamber Bridge. 42. 15. 7. 20. 65. 70. -5. 52
14 Hebburn Town. 42. 13. 13. 16. 60. 65. -5. 52
15 Leek Town 42. 14. 10 18 47. 55. -8. 52
16 Whitby Town. 42. 15. 7 20 55. 71 -16. 52
17 FC United 42. 12 15. 15. 55. 62. -7. 51
18 Lancaster City 42. 12. 15. 15. 52. 63. -11. 51
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R Matlock Town (-3) 42. 10 15. 17. 59. 69. -10. 42
R Mickleover. 42. 10. 9. 23 41. 75. -34. 39
R Basford United 42. 10. 7. 25. 50. 79. -29 37
R Blyth Spartans 42. 3. 9. 30. 38 100. -62. 18

Last edited by Matchman (27/4/2025 2:17 AM)

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 27/4/2025 6:38 AM

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Sat 26th Apr 2025
Northern Premier League
Bamber Bridge 1 Ilkeston Town 2
Goals from Declan Eratt-Thompson and Alex Hardwick gave Ilkeston a win in their final game of the season against Bamber Bridge who came into the match on the back of three straight wins. With nothing resting on the result several Ilkeston players were given different to normal roles ie. forwards playing in defence and defenders playing up front. The three points ensured that Ilkeston held on to 6th place in the league table, just outside of the playoff positions.

The Ilkeston players soon settled into their new roles and made the better start. Crosses from Kornell McDonald and Alex Hardwick tested the Bamber Bridge defence. Lindon Meikle created an opportunity for Eratt-Thompson on the edge of the box but his shot was just too high. A great ball from Harvey Kirby-Moore provided a chance for Connor Dixon but his fine effort was brilliantly saved by keeper Charlie Casper. When the half looked like finishing goalless Ilkeston produced an opener through Eratt-Thompson who burst through the middle and slotted the ball past Casper. Ilkeston deserved their lead but there was almost an instant reaction from Bamber Bridge when Ewan Bange’s lob hit the top of the crossbar.

Immediately after the re-start Eratt-Thompson almost doubled the lead with an effort that was just off target. Bamber Bridge hit back with a free kick effort by Lewis Hey which Matt Yates had to push round the post but on 50 minutes Alex Hardwick smashed in a second goal for the Robins. A brilliant last ditch tackle by Kirby-Moore stopped Ewan Bange from pulling a goal back after Hey had seen his shot blocked. A Michael Potts header was saved by Yates as Bridge tried hard to find a way back into the game. Lewis Pilgrim had a great chance for the hosts when one on one with Yates but the Ilkeston keeper denied him. With 7 minutes left Pilgrim reduced the arrears from Liam Brockbank’s pass to set up a tense finish. Emerich Poilly tested Yates after cutting inside but in added time Ilkeston were awarded a penalty for an accidental handball by Adam Dodd. Keeper Yates was given the opportunity to score but sent his spot kick over the bar.