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

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 3:28 PM

Marshall injured. Brandy and Stevens enter the field for Walker and Thornhill. 67 mins

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 3:36 PM

Morpeth are starting to make chances on the break. We need another goal. Great save by Langley to stop Youmbi. Morpeth 0 Ilkeston 2 75 mins

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 3:42 PM

Daniel cross is met by Stevens whose shot to deflected wide. Daniel replaced by Tyler Whyle on 80 mins

Last edited by Matchman (10/8/2025 8:14 AM)

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 3:46 PM

corner for Morpeth. There's a bad injury as players from both sides shout for a physio. Morpeth player seems to be most hurt but Sam Parker is also flat out.

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 3:47 PM

Parker leaves the field . Morpeth player is still on the floor in the goalmouth.
He's now been sretchered off and we're off again

Last edited by Matchman (09/8/2025 3:49 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 3:53 PM

90 mins up Fox is on for Parker. GOAL. Morpeth have one back. Morpeth 1 ilkeston 2 91 mins

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 4:01 PM

Langley comes out of his goal and misses the ball. Defender rescues him. Ilkeston corner. nothing from it. The wind is now stronger. Essien gets a yellow. free kick Morpeth. We're in danger now, Fox wins a free kick. Fox misses a good chance. Brave save by Wharton as the whistle goes
Result. Morpeth 1 Ilkeston 2

Last edited by Matchman (09/8/2025 9:07 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 09/8/2025 9:40 PM

We went to Morpeth hoping for a win and we did it due to a superb first half performance which we dominated. A 2-0 lead was the least we deserved after keeping the ball for long periods and creating several chances. Walker scored from the spot after being taken out by keeper Langley then Dixon doubled the lead with a low flick with his back to goal. When Morpeth went down to 10 players after the red card, a win seemed a formality but the hosts did better in second half and after their late goal there was a chance they might steal a point. but it was Ilkeston who looked more like scoring again and Dixon and Fox could have made the game safe. We should have won by a more convincing score but nevertheless its three points in the bag and a great start to the season.

Last edited by Matchman (09/8/2025 9:41 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 10/8/2025 7:08 AM

.
Sat 9th August 2025
Northern Premier League
Morpeth Town 1 Ilkeston Town 2
Ilkeston began their 2025-26 Northern Premier League campaign with a long trip to Morpeth and first half goals by Jamie Walker and Connor Dixon gave them a flying start. Just before half time Morpeth’s Jeffrey Henderson was sent off for a last man foul and an Ilkeston victory looked assured. However, the ten man hosts did much better after the break. There was a long stoppage five minutes from time after a collision between Sam Parker and Nathan Buddle resulted in both needing extensive treatment for head injuries. Buddle left the field on a stretcher and Parker needed stitches. There was then a late goal by Cyril Giraud which gave Morpeth a chance of stealing a point with plenty of stoppage time remaining. But it was Ilkeston who finished the stronger and should have added to their lead.

The first effort of the game was by Dylan Youmbi but keeper Dan Langley was behind it. The Morpeth keeper then had to race out to deny Harvey Kirby-Moore following a great ball forward by Sam Parker. Morpeth’s best effort was when Luke James fed Joel Holvey down the left who saw his acute angled lob land on the net. Ilkeston went ahead on 26 minutes when Walker scored from the spot after being fouled by Langley in the area. Five minutes later Dixon doubled the lead with a low flick with his back to goal and Ilkeston were in total control. More chances came Ilkeston’s way as they dominated possession. Dixon was so close to a second and then on 43 minutes came Henderson’s dismissal leaving Ilkeston in a very strong half time position.

Ilkeston started the second period strongly and two efforts in quick succession were blocked by defenders. Kirby-Moore battled his way into the area before seeing his effort blocked too. A solo effort by Nic Bollado lifted Morpeth spirits but Ilkeston remained on top and Langley produced a super save to deny Kirby-Moore who was having a fine game. With another match to come on Tuesday both teams made substitutions and the game became less intense. But after the protracted injury holdup substitute Giraud fired a low drive into the bottom corner of Dylan Wharton’s net and gave Morpeth hope of a hitherto unlikely point. It wasn’t to be though as Ilkeston regrouped and didn’t allow them another opportunity while spurning two late chances themselves.

**Posted by Alex** 10/8/2025 9:50 AM

How long did fox get?

Matt Thornhill. How did he play?

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 10/8/2025 10:53 AM

Alex wrote:
How long did fox get?

Matt Thornhill. How did he play?

__________________________________________________________________

Matt Thornhill was probably our best player in the first half when we controlled the game. He only played about 10 minutes of the second half before he was subbed.
Robbie Fox came on to replace injured Sam Parker right near the end so he got to play the 8 or 9 minutes of added time. He's not played in a match competitively since he was injured at Carlton so he was a bit rusty and he missed what looked like a good chance. He didn't really have enough time to make an impact but he seems to have recovered from his injury.

There were some really good performances. We are really strong in midfield now with Thornhill's composure and Essien's bite. Dixon had a much better game and Kirby-Moore just keeps getting better. Youmbi also had an excellent game but in my opinion man of the match was Sam Parker.

**Posted by Trowell Nicky** 10/8/2025 12:03 PM

I'd agree with most of that John.

Matt Thornhill ran the game for me. He played about an hour and it seemed to change the game when he went off. You have to give Morpeth a lot of credit for their second half performance, gave it a real go, and we seemed to lose control and fluency when the subs were made. We just needed that third goal and we probably won't have better chances all season than the ones Connor Dixon and Robbie Fox missed in the second half.

Only player I'd give a higher mark to would be Sam Essien. That lad's ready for a higher league now. And Connor Dixon is getting back to his best form. That midfield 3 were fantastic.

The only one for me who still hasn't quite settled in yet is the goalkeeper, Dylan Wharton. Just a matter of time I'm sure.

Robbie Fox looked out of place when he came on. Looked like he was just starting preseason, which in effect he probably is. Lacked any pace and sharpness. I'd like to see again the chance he missed in the second half. Low cross came in from our left, he's about 5 yards out from goal, beats the defender to the ball, an obvious contender to smash it in to the net with his left foot, but he waits to hit it with his right foot, and skews it wide. Is he very right-footed? There's obviously talent there, we just have to be patient with him. Deaks likes him a lot, so that'll do for me.

For some reason they're including players' middle names on FootballWebPages ...

https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/match/2025-2026/northern-premier-league-premier-division/morpeth-town/ilkeston-town/543715#google_vignette

Rooney Dylan Monthe Youmbi, for example. Can't get that chant out of my head now ... Rooney, Rooney, Rooney.

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 10/8/2025 4:12 PM

.
Morpeth manager, Craig Lynch discusses the opening day defeat to Ilkeston

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANg1eBTpi0w

**Posted by Matchman** **Online!** 10/8/2025 8:24 PM

.
Match highlights:

https://youtu.be/vYfD9yUPWwU?si=0.001px=vdJ1iuZS3OPC2SzB