WhiteBallProject / Sat 12 Jul 25 : Ilkeston v Harrogate : Ko 2pm

**Posted by Matchman** 11/7/2025 3:02 PM

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Tomorrow we play our 2nd pre-season friendly against League 2, Harrogate Town.

Kickoff is at the earlier time of 2pm.

**Posted by Matchman** 11/7/2025 3:09 PM

Let's hope the return of Tom Cursons persuades a few more supporters to turn up for our 2nd pre-season friendly.

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 12:53 PM

Ilkeston Town
1 Wharton, 2 Minkley, 3 Parker, 4 Thornhill, 5 Marshall, 6 Whyle, 7 Brandy, 8 Essien, 9 Fox, 10 Dixon, 11 Youmbi.
Bench: 12 Trialist, 13 Trialist, 14 Harvey Kirby-Moore 15 Green, 16 Trialist, 17 Daniel, 18 Trialist, 19 Trialist, 20 Trialist.

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 1:02 PM

Here we go . It's almost kickoff time and it's very warm.

The teams are out. Ilkeston in red Harrogate are in teal.

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 1:03 PM

Ilkeston attacking the car park end. We're off........

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 1:09 PM

Big early chance for Cursons with a header from a right wing cross but he doesn't get enough on it.

0-0 5 mins

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 1:20 PM

Good save by Wharton from McKenna. Harrogate are not allowing Ilkeston any time on the ball. Ilkeston free kick causes problems but a Harrogate defender boots the ball away from the goal line and danger.
Drinks break on 16 mins. 0-0

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 1:24 PM

Good defending by Essien. Ilkeston doing better now. Ilkeston free kick into the box. A Harrogate defender collides with his keeper. Both needing treatment. 0-0. 19 mins

Last edited by Matchman (12/7/2025 1:24 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 1:34 PM

Keeper Belshaw has to be replaced. Trialist takes over between the sticks for Harrogate. Free kick to Harrogate. Minkley clears. Ilkeston break out but the shot goes wide. Good effort by McKenna but Wharton is in position to save. 0-0. 30 mins

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 1:40 PM

Brandy takes on a defender and wins a corner. nothing from it.
Drinks break on 35 mins. still 0-0

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 1:48 PM

Youmbi breaks free but he's offside. Ilkeston are finishing the half strongly. Youmbi's cross is blocked for a corner. Thornhill fires over after good play by Essien. Good Ilkeston move but Fox's cross is cut out.
Good parry by Wharton and Ilkeston eventually clear. 0-0. 43 mins

Last edited by Matchman (14/7/2025 7:45 AM)

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 1:51 PM

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Half time 0-0.
After a slow start Ilkeston finished the stronger team.

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 2:06 PM

Second half is underway...

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 2:11 PM

Cracking shot hits the inside of Ilkeston's upright and comes back into play. Then a good save by Wharton. Harrogate have started the second half as they did the first. 0-0. 50 mins

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 2:16 PM

Brandy tries to set up Fox in the area but the ball runs away. Dixon replaced by Kirby-Moore on 55 mins

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 2:22 PM

Ilkeston corner by Thornhill is met with a great punch clear by keeper under pressure. Another drinks break on 61 mins. 0-0

Last edited by Matchman (12/7/2025 2:24 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 2:29 PM

Kirby-Moore goes down in area. Nothing given. Excellent skill by Thornhill. Free kick Ilkeston is blocked. Kirby-Moore finds Fox but his effort is quickly blocked by a defender. 0-0. 67 mins

Attendance 344

Last edited by Matchman (12/7/2025 2:30 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 2:35 PM

Good spell of possession by Harrogate ends with a decent save by Wharton. 0-0. 74 mins

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 2:38 PM

Another drinks break on 77 mins. 0-0

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 2:43 PM

Good skill by Youmbi takes him past two defenders. Just noticed Colin Daniel is on. 0 -0. 81 mins

Last edited by Matchman (12/7/2025 2:45 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 2:49 PM

Great chase by Brandy but his cross goes behind. Several trialists come on for Ilkeston. 0-0. 85 mins

Last edited by Matchman (14/7/2025 7:46 AM)

**Posted by Matchman** 12/7/2025 2:51 PM

Looks like a stalemate. Ref blows for time. Ilkeston 0 Harrogate Town 0

**Posted by Chuckle** 12/7/2025 8:45 PM

Thought Matt Thornhill was Composed and Sam Essien Electric in the Midfield. Brandy was Frustrating with a Lack of End Product. Iam Concerned Where the Goals will come from, Obviously that Assumption isn't Based on Today.

**Posted by pezamb** 12/7/2025 8:56 PM

Chuckle wrote:
Thought Matt Thornhill was Composed and Sam Essien Electric in the Midfield. Brandy was Frustrating with a Lack of End Product. Iam Concerned Where the Goals will come from, Obviously that Assumption isn't Based on Today.

I get what you mean, and totally agree. I do think, however, that Robbie Fox looks a real prospect, really hardworking and dynamic.. I think he will do well but may need a few games to get going

**Posted by Matchman** 13/7/2025 7:05 AM

pezamb wrote:
Chuckle wrote:
Thought Matt Thornhill was Composed and Sam Essien Electric in the Midfield. Brandy was Frustrating with a Lack of End Product. Iam Concerned Where the Goals will come from, Obviously that Assumption isn't Based on Today.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
I get what you mean, and totally agree. I do think, however, that Robbie Fox looks a real prospect, really hardworking and dynamic.. I think he will do well but may need a few games to get going

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Here's my opinion:
That was a decent team performance in high temperature exhausting conditions against a good Harrogate side. The League 2 side started well and it took us some time before we matched them but once we did it was an even game. They came closest to scoring with the cracker that hit the post and Tom Cursons should have scored with a header early on.
I thought we defended well but never looked like scoring. I thought Matt Thornhill was superb with Sam Essien not far behind. Defensively we look sound. I was concerned about losing Matt Yates but I'm starting to think Dylan Wharton will be a good replacement. I have confidence in the old guard of Tom Marshall, Callum Minkley and Sam Parker and I think Tyler Whyle is steady and settling in nicely. Connor Dixon had a quiet game but we know he's a good player. We now have two attacking wingers in Dylan Youmbi and L'Varn Brandy which I like. Youmbi looks a good signing with his speed and skill. Regarding Brandy, I'm a fan. I like the way he's always willing to take on defenders. That leaves Robbie Fox. I've not made my mind up yet. He certainly puts the effort in and maybe he just needs to find the net to boost his confidence.
That was the starting eleven. Last season regulars Colin Daniel and Harvey Kirby-Moore came on in the second half and we were without my favourite player Jamie Walker and new signing AJ Greaves. I'm wondering where Walker can be deployed most effectively.
I was a bit concerned about our prospects after the Eastwood performance but we were much better against Harrogate.

Last edited by Matchman (13/7/2025 7:25 AM)

**Posted by Matchman** 13/7/2025 8:40 AM

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Remiss of me to not mention Jordan Stevens: such a quality player. I don't think we've not see the best of him yet but he shows touches of sheer class. His great speed of thought sets him apart.

I think this seasons squad is as strong as last season's when we finished 6th. Thornhill is a great addition. The only problem is: most of last season we had Cursons, the leagues top scorer.
It's goals that win matches so a lot depends on Robbie Fox.

Last edited by Matchman (13/7/2025 9:04 AM)