WhiteBallProject / Sat 9th Aug 25 : Morpeth v Ilkeston : Ko 3pm

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 04/8/2025 6:25 PM

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Information for supporters travelling to Morpeth by coach on the Supporters Group coach and on the Players coach:

The Supporters Group coach leaves the ground at 8 am and includes a stop at Whitley Bay before going to the match in time for the kickoff. The Supporters Group bus returns before the team bus, usually straight after the match but sometimes a little later at a time specified by the away travel secretary. £22 per person

The Players coach leaves the ground at 8 30 am and goes direct to Craik Park arriving around 1 30pm with a comfort break on the way. The Players bus returns after allowing time for the players to change and eat. (usually between 5 30 and 6pm). £20 per person

Both the Club and the Supporters Group are looking for more people to travel on their coaches to away matches. If you haven't been to away matches on our two coaches you don't know what you're missing.
Choose your coach and give us a try.

On the SG coach the emphasis is on an enjoyable day out with a party atmosphere and then to see the match. if you like a few drinks this is the bus for you.

On the Players coach there is togetherness with the team and officials. The emphasis is on comfort and the atmosphere is more reserved than on the SG bus. There is a limit of 20 fans on the team bus. Regulars are given priority so why not become a Players bus regular.

Last edited by Matchman (06/8/2025 9:56 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 04/8/2025 7:36 PM

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20 supporters are allowed to travel on the players coach and there are 8 places left (details below)

Don't miss out on the Ilkeston Town FC official away travel opportunity to Morpeth this Saturday! The executive coach will depart from a designated ground pick-up point at 8:30 am sharp.
Here are the details
Coach Details: Type: Executive 53-seater coach
Amenities: TVs, toilets, and comfort
Alcohol Policy: Not prohibited, making it a relaxed atmosphere
Trip Details: Pick-up: Ground pick-up only (not a town centre drop-off)
Atmosphere: Chilled and family-friendly, with the team on board (players' coach)
Booking Information: Price: £20 per seat
Availability: 8 seats remaining (12 already booked)
Call 0115 9300386, or email enquiries@ilkestontownfc.co.uk to secure your spot
Get your spot on the coach and enjoy the ride to Morpeth Town AFC, with the match scheduled for 3pm UTC on August 9, 2025, at Craik Park. Don't delay – book your seat today

Last edited by Matchman (06/8/2025 1:52 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 06/8/2025 9:21 AM

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The pre-season matches are now over. I know that a lot of supporters don't like them but it's necessary to get the squad ready for the season proper. We start with a long journey to Morpeth.

Morpeth are a decent side and finished 8th last season with just 4 points less than Ilkeston
Ilkeston record 2024-25: P42. W18. D12. L12. F69. A56. Pts 66
Morpeth record 2024-25: P42. W16. D14. L12. F57. A61. Pts 62

Morpeth actually did better on their travels than they did at home:
Away record P21. W10. D6. L5. F32. A30. Pts.36
Home record P21. W6. D8. L7. F25. A31. Pts 26

Last season we beat Morpeth twice, 4-2 at the NMG and 2-1 at Craik Park.

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 06/8/2025 9:44 AM

It's important to get off to a good start and we haven't lost an opening game since the 2016-17 season

2024-25. Gainsborough (H) draw 2-2. NPL Premier Div step 3
2023-24. Marske (A) won 3-1. NPL Premier Div step3
2022-23. Tamworth. (A) draw 1-1. SL Prem Central step 3
2021-22. Stamford (A) won 3-1. NPL Midlands step 4
2020-21. Cleethorpes. (A) won 3-2. NPL South East. step 4
2019-20. Cleethorpes (H) draw 0-0 NPL South East step 4
2018-19 Stourport (H). won 3-2. MFL Prem Div step 5
2017-18. Uttoxeter. (A) draw 1-1. MFL Div1 step 6
2016-17. Ashton Utd (H) lost 0-2. NPL Premier Div step 3

Last edited by Matchman (06/8/2025 6:52 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 06/8/2025 1:11 PM

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Morpeth Town AFC @MorpethTownAFC
All eyes on Saturday’s league opener We’ll see you at Craik Park #UpThePeth
9:34 am · 6 Aug 2025

**Posted by kevilsonlad** 06/8/2025 5:26 PM

not going Sat so i will be on here , facebook and Flash scores .....
COME ON ILSON !!!!!!!!!!

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 06/8/2025 10:48 PM

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Morpeth is our second longest journey but it's a nice ground and there's a large welcoming clubhouse when we get there.
The ground is some way away from the town centre and the approach to the ground is through a wooded area giving it a unique feel.

There will be a comfort stop on the way which is normally at Wetherby Services for toilets, food and drinks. Wetherby Services is used by numerous teams for their break of journey and we often meet players and officials of teams we know.

Morpeth's average gate last season was 458. Their biggest attendance was 1182 against Blyth Spartans.
Nic Ballado was Morpeth's top goalscorer last season and he will be hoping to repeat that in the season ahead.

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 07/8/2025 8:56 PM

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After watching training tonight, Robbie Fox and Matt Thornhill both look doubtful for Saturday's game at Morpeth. I would say; no chance for Robbie and maybe a place on the bench for Matt. The rest of the squad look raring to go.

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 08/8/2025 2:51 PM

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All being well there will be Morpeth v Ilkeston match updates here tomorrow.
Team news around 2 30
Match updates from kickoff to full time
Post match comments after the game

**Posted by WhiteBallProject** 08/8/2025 3:12 PM

**Posted by WhiteBallProject** 08/8/2025 3:20 PM

The weather forecast here is good and despite the picture in a previous pic showing the pitch as a mud heap it is actually a very nice plastic pitch. Walking into Morpeth Town centre is a 45 minute trek but is a lovely spot. It has plenty of shops for a town well under half the size of Ilkeston. Next, Waterstones, MnS, Greggs, Morrisons etc. it also has a Spooners for those who need more to drink!

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 5:36 AM

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Morpeth haven't won their opening game since 17th August 2019 when they beat Warrington Town

2024-25 FC United (H) lost 0-1
2023-24. Basford (A) draw 2-2
2022-23 Warrington Town (A) lost 0-2
2021-22. Stafford Rangers (A) lost 1-3
2020-21 Grantham (H) draw 1-1
2019 20 Warrington Town (A) won 3-1

Last edited by Matchman (09/8/2025 5:42 AM)

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 11:49 AM

We’re 16 miles from Morpeth crawling along the motorway in heavy traffic . Plenty of time. It’s over 2 hours to kick off .

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 12:13 PM

Arriving at Craik Park, home of Morpeth Town FC.

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 1:31 PM

Morpeth Town
1 Langley, 3 Holvey, 4 Robson, 5 Henderson, 6 Buddle, 7 Evans, 8 Dowling, 9 James, 10 Bollado, 11 Gordon, 12 Myers.
Bench: 13 Brown, 14 Giraud, 15 Chater, 16 Griggs, 17 Hodgson.

Ilkeston town
1 Wharton, 2 Minkley. 3 Daniel, 4 Thornhill, 5 Marshall, 6 Parker, 7 Essien, 8 Dixon, 9 Youmbi, 10 Kirby-Moore -Moore, 11 Walker.
Bench ; 12 Brandy, 13 Sulkowski, 14 Stevens, 15 Whyle, 16 Fox.

Last edited by Matchman (09/8/2025 1:32 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 2:00 PM

Teams are out. It's sun and cloud. It could rain . Ilkeston in red Morpeth in yellow.

We're off.......

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 2:07 PM

Thornhill free kick into the box is headed away. First shot of the game by Youmbi but Langley is behind it. Morpeth shot goes well over the bar. 0-0. 7 mins

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 2:14 PM

Great ball forward by Parker for Kirby-Moore but keeper races out to gather. Kirby-Moore fouled wide left but Thornhill's free kick drifts out. Bollado goes down in area but nothing given. 0-0. 14 mins

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 2:21 PM

Dixon shot from distance is wide. Walker's cross is challenged for by Youmbi but its only a corner . Now a corner for Morpeth. It's cleared. good attack by Ilkeston but Daniel's cross goes out. Ilkeston edging it at the minute. 0-0. 21 mins

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 2:25 PM

Good effort by Robson for Morpeth but it's over the bar and lands on the net. Penalty to Ilkeston as Walker is pushed.

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 2:27 PM

Goal. - Walker converts sending the keeper the wrong way. Morpeth 0 Ilkeston 1. 26 mins

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 2:32 PM

Good claim by Langley. Goal. Dixon makes it 2-0 with a great finish.. 31 Minutes

**Posted by kevilsonlad** 09/8/2025 2:37 PM

Yes come on ilson

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 2:39 PM

Ilkeston are threatening to score more. Dixon is so close to scoring again but he can't quite reach the cross. Now a free kick to Morpeth . Nothing from it. Morpeth 0 Ilkeston 2. 39 mins

Last edited by Matchman (09/8/2025 2:40 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 2:44 PM

Henderson red card for Morpeth. Last man foul on Kirby-Moore . 43 mins

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 2:50 PM

Handbags after foul on Essien Right near Ilkeston dugout. I think Daniel was booked for pushng an aggressive Morpeth player away.
Half time whistle blows to diffuse the situation.

HT : Morpeth 0 Ilkeston 2

Last edited by Matchman (09/8/2025 2:52 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 3:03 PM

So far so good. Ilkeston are well worth their lead but it's not over yet

HT
Bamber 0 Guiseley 0
FC United 1 Leek 0
Gainsborough 0 Ashton 1
Hebburn o Hednesford 0
Hyde 1 Lancaster 0
Morpeth 0 Ilkeston 2
Prescot 0 Stockton 0
Rushall 1 Rylands 0
Warrington 0 Cleethorpes 0
Workington 0 Whitby 0

Last edited by Matchman (09/8/2025 3:04 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 3:05 PM

we're off again .......

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 3:09 PM

Corner to Morpeth goes out for a goal kick. Two Ilkeston shots in quick succession blocked by defenders. Morpeth 0 Ilkeston 2. 49 mins

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 3:20 PM

Now Kirby-Moore shot is blocked after he battles his way into the area. The game is less intense now. Great solo run by Bolado deserved a better finish. Brill save by Langley from Kirby-Moore and it's a corner.
Morpeth 0 Ilkeston 2 60 mins