WhiteBallProject / Sat 2nd Aug 2025 : Basford v Ilkeston (Pre-season) : ko 3pm

**Posted by Matchman** 28/7/2025 9:23 AM

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The Northern Premier League season starts on 9th August and our penultimate pre-season friendly is at Greenwich Avenue, Basford.

Can we build on the 4-0 win at Flint? And Matt Thornhill returns to his old club for the first time wearing Ilkeston's colours.

Basford v Ilkeston is always a competitive match so it's worth making the short trip.

**Posted by Matchman** 29/7/2025 7:40 AM

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Last season Basford won 2-1 on August Bank Holiday Monday at Greenwich Avenue and Ilkeston won the return match at the NMG on New Years Day by 5-0.

The season before that (2023-24) Ilkeston won 1-0 at Basford and 4-1 at the NMG

In the 2022-23 season both Ilkeston and Basford were in the Southern League and Basford got the better of us. It was a 1-1 draw at the NMG on Boxing Day and a 2-1 Basford win on Easter Monday

**Posted by Matchman** 29/7/2025 9:10 AM

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Basford / Ilkeston Rivalry

Ilkeston lost their Step 3 status at the end of the 2016-17 season and were demoted to Step 6.  At the same time Basford were promoted to Step 3. That was the startof a five year period of Basford supremacy until Ilkeston achieved Step 3 status again at the end off the 2021-22 season

Since then, both have been at Step 3 with Ilkeston finishing higher in each of the following three seasons:
In season 22-23 Ilkeston and Basford were both in the Southern League: Basford finished 15th and Ilkeston finished 7th
In season 23 -24 both were moved to the NPL where Basford finished 18th and Ilkeston finished 11th
In season 24 -25 Basford finished 21st and were relegated to Step 4. Ilkeston finished 6th

Five seasons of Basford Supremacy
Season Basford    Ilkeston
2017-18 Step 3 Step 6
2018-19 Step 3 Step 5
2019-20 Covid interrupted Step 3 Step 4
2020-21 Covid interrupted Step 3 Step 4
2021-22 Step 3 Step 4

Both at Step 3
2022-23 Step 3 Step 3
2023-24 Step 3 Step 3
2024-25 Step 3 Step 3

The coming season
2025-26 Step 4 Step 3

Last edited by Matchman (04/8/2025 1:44 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** 30/7/2025 7:09 AM

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Basford United FC @Basfordutdfc
𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑
We host @ilkestontown_fc on Saturday, and it’s only £5 for Adults, with kids getting in for a quid!
We’ll see you there

29 Jul 2025

Basford will be full of confidence after four goal wins against Notts County and Matlock Town

**Posted by Matchman** 31/7/2025 3:45 AM

Ilkeston Town and Basford united are two of seven local sides to be featured in a new Facebook page :

" Ilkeston Town and local NPL Rivals Round-Up "

following the fortunes of Ilkeston Town, Basford United, Belper Town, Carlton Town, Long Eaton United, Matlock Town and Mickleover.

Opening NPL Fixtures Sat 9th August 2025
NPL Prem : Morpeth Town v ILKESTON TOWN
NPL Mids : BASFORD UTD v Sutton Coldfield
NPL Mids. : St Neots Town v BELPER TOWN
NPL Mids. : Rugby Town v CARLTON TOWN
NPL Mids : LONG EATON UTD v Corby TOWN
NPL Mids. : Coventry Sphinx v MICKLEOVER
NPL East : MATLOCK TOWN v Bradford Park Avenue

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578605709673

Last edited by Matchman (31/7/2025 2:26 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** 31/7/2025 2:35 PM

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Basford United FC kindly reposted:

Ilkeston Town supporters Tracey and Billy (Pictured with Matt Yates) will be walking from the New Manor Ground to Greenwich Avenue ahead of Saturday’s friendly in memory of their friend, Pete. Pete tragically passed away just three weeks after being diagnosed with leukaemia. Wanting to make a difference, Tracey has organised the walk to raise funds for Leukaemia Care UK, with a target of £300.
Any donations, big or small, will make a difference.

https://tinyurl.com/y7xyuyse

[/url] [url=https://x.com/Basfordutdfc/status/1950885015862014069/photo/2]Ilkeston Town FC 12:43 pm · 31 Jul 2025

**Posted by Matchman** 01/8/2025 9:08 AM

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At training last night Robbie Fox was still receiving treatment from Ryan so it's doubtful he will make the Basford game. With a bit of luck he be could be okay for Morpeth.
Matt Thornhill was also on the sidelines so he too could miss out against his old club.

Emphasis last night was on one touch passing and finding the net. Plenty of shots on goal plus Jamie Walker and Jordan Stevens carrying out dead ball routines.

A win against Basford would be a great confidence booster but what matters most is to have our best team fit and available for the first league match in a week's time.

**Posted by Matchman** 02/8/2025 7:53 AM

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It's pre-season match day number six as we make the short trip to Basford.
Kick-off 3pm
Only one week now before the season starts at Morpeth.

Pre-season results so far
05 Jul Eastwood lost 1-4
12 Jul. Harrogate draw 0-0
15 Jul Kimberley won 7-3
19 Jul Carlton lost 0-2
26 Jul Flint won 4-0

Last edited by Matchman (02/8/2025 8:23 AM)

**Posted by Alex** 02/8/2025 1:20 PM

A mixed bag of results there so for in pre season

**Posted by Matchman** 02/8/2025 1:45 PM

15 mins to kick off

Your Robins squad to face Basford United
1. Dylan Wharton
2. Tyler Whyle
3. Colin Daniel
5. Tom Marshall (C)
6. Sam Parker
12. Sam Essien
8. Connor Dixon
16. Harvey Kirby-Moore
11. Jamie Walker
9. Jordan Stevens
14. Dylan Youmbi

4. Matt Thornhill
7. L’Varn Brandy
13. Frankie Shepherd
10. Dorian Sulkowski
15. Callum Minkley

Last edited by Matchman (02/8/2025 1:50 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** 02/8/2025 1:59 PM

The teams are out. Ilkeston are defending the tram lines end.
We're off.....

**Posted by Matchman** 02/8/2025 2:08 PM

Both keepers seeing plenty of the ball.......from back passes as defenders are taking no chances. Basford go close on 8 minutes. 0-0. 8 mins

Last edited by Matchman (02/8/2025 2:46 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** 02/8/2025 2:13 PM

Wharton does well coming out to grab the ball. Free kick Ilkeston wide right after foul on Youmbi. . Basford clear the danger but it's an Ilkeston corner. It's cleared. 0-0. 13 mins

**Posted by Matchman** 02/8/2025 2:17 PM

Basford corner is headed goalwards but Wharton saves. Big chance Ilkeston after Youmbi and Stevens combine . Great tackle deflects Stevens effort wide. Goal from the corner. think it was an own goal by Ethan Stewart. Basford 0 Ilkeston 1. 16 mins

**Posted by Matchman** 02/8/2025 2:27 PM

Essien charges a Basford shot down and its a Basford corner which comes to nothing. Basford free kick on corner of Ilkeston area. Decent effort is wide of far post. Bas 0 Ilk 1 27 mins

Last edited by Matchman (02/8/2025 2:28 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** 02/8/2025 2:35 PM

Basford no.5 is booked. Ilkeston corner. Parker on the volley but its blocked. Its handbags involving several players after Youmbi takes exception to being fouled. Youmbi may have been booked
Pen Ilkeston for foul on Dixon. Walker scores. Basford 0 Ilkeston 2. 35 mins

Last edited by Matchman (02/8/2025 2:37 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** 02/8/2025 2:43 PM

It continues to be competitive. Good claim by Basford Keeper. Kirby-Moore taken down. Stevens free kick is blocked out for a corner. Walker prods the ball goalwards but keeper saves. Basford 0 Ilkeston 2. 43 mins

Last edited by Matchman (02/8/2025 2:44 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** 02/8/2025 2:45 PM

Half Time - Basford 0 Ilkeston 2

**Posted by Matchman** 02/8/2025 3:00 PM

Second half is underway........

**Posted by Matchman** 02/8/2025 3:03 PM

Walker shot flies across face of goal. Brandy fires home from a cross, Basford 0 Ilkeston 3. 48 mins

**Posted by Matchman** 02/8/2025 3:14 PM

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Good defending by Minkley. Good firm header by Basford No 9 but Wharton is equal to it. Good effort by Marshall is just wide. Basford 0 Ilkeston 3 59 mins

**Posted by Matchman** 02/8/2025 3:22 PM

Ilkeston are having much more of the ball now especially Stevens. Dixon injured. he's okay. Kirby-Moore intercepts, goes round the keeper and scores from the tightest of angles. Basford 0 Ilkeston 4. 67 mins

Last edited by Matchman (03/8/2025 8:46 AM)

**Posted by Matchman** 02/8/2025 3:31 PM

Basford free kick in good position. Wharton collects. Then Wharton saves well from Basford no 7.
Ilkeston free kick wide right. Keeper catches. Kirby-Moore shot hits the bar. Basford 0 Ilkeston 4 75 mins

Last edited by Matchman (02/8/2025 3:31 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** 02/8/2025 3:41 PM

Deaks is demanding more from his players. corner left side for Ilkeston . Great clearing header by Wharton when outside of his area. still 4-0 85 mins

Last edited by Matchman (03/8/2025 8:47 AM)

**Posted by Matchman** 02/8/2025 3:46 PM

Good Basford attack but Wharton saves the final effort. Good defensive header by Whyle. Walker booked for a foul.

Full time : Basford 0 Ilkeston 4

**Posted by Matchman** 02/8/2025 9:53 PM

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Good dominant performance today all over the pitch. Basford never got a look in.
4-0 and it might have been more. If the early Basford effort that hit the woodwork had gone in, then it might have different but after that we didn't allow them another chance. Ilkeston, on the other hand, created several openings. Some really good pressing by Ilkeston meant Basford couldn't get going. Essien was brilliant. Up front Kirby-Moore was good and came close to a brace when his shot hit the underside of the bar and stayed out. Wharton is starting to look a safe pair of hands. He didn't have much to save but dealt with everything else with confidence. Youmbi was a constant threat but was lucky not to see red when he reacted to being fouled. When Brandy made it 3-0 just after half time it was all over.

Last edited by Matchman (03/8/2025 7:33 AM)

**Posted by Matchman** 04/8/2025 6:13 AM

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Basford manager's reaction

https://youtu.be/7ZcfL3tVvlw?si=0.001px=9D3QzoA8-svyIHeq