WhiteBallProject / Sat 30 Aug'25 : Ilkeston v Spalding Utd : FA Cup 1st QR: NMG : KO 3pm

**Posted by Matchman** 27/8/2025 3:00 AM

.
FA Cup Progess over the last 5 years

Season 2024-25: we won our 1st qualifying round tie 1-0 at Heanor before losing in the next round to Hereford after a replay.
Season 2023-24: we lost in the 1st qualifying round 0-3 at Mickleover
Season 2022-23: we won our 1st qualifying round tie 2-0 at Matlock before losing the next round to Anstey Nomads on penalties
Season 2021-22: we lost in the 1st qualifying round 1-2 at Halesowen

Season 2020-21 was our best run in recent times
We beat Shepshed Dynamo at home 3-0 in the Preliminary round
We beat Coventry Sphinx 2-0 away in the 1st qualifying round
We beat Hanley Town 4-1 at home in the 2nd qualifying round
We beat Alvechurch 1-0 at home in the 3rd qualifying round
We then lost to Hartlepool United at home in the 4th qualifying round

**Posted by Matchman** 27/8/2025 8:53 AM

.
Spalding United are in the Southern League Premier Central.
Last season they just missed out on the playoffs finishing 7th

They have made a good start to this season
Their current position is 5th : P5, W3, D1, L1, F9, A5 Points 10
They have played all 5 of their opening matches away from home
They beat Stamford 3-0 in their last match.

Spalding United aren't playing at home due to delays in installing a new artificial playing surface at their Sir Halley Stewart ground.

Hence - No replay at Spalding

Last edited by Matchman (27/8/2025 9:21 AM)

**Posted by WhiteBallProject** 27/8/2025 1:16 PM

I read their 4G pitch was stuck on a boat somewhere between Rotterdam and China!

**Posted by Alex** 27/8/2025 3:00 PM

This has to be one of the biggest games in the clubs history.
The fa cup genarates big money for little clubs like us.
Don't know how much it will make us if we win.

Come on ilson play like we did on bank holiday Monday and we will be in the hat for the next round.

**Posted by Matchman** 27/8/2025 8:20 PM

.
Winners of this tie (1st qualifying round) receive £2250. (losers get £750)

Winners of 2nd qualifying round receive £3375. (losers get £1125)

Winners of 3rd qualifying round receive £5625. (losers get £1875)

Winners of 4th qualifying round receive £9375. (losers get £3125)

It’s definitely worthwhile having a decent run

Last edited by Matchman (28/8/2025 5:15 AM)

**Posted by Matchman** 27/8/2025 10:02 PM

.
The last time we played against Spalding United was on their ground on Sat 5th March 2022 when we drew 0-0.
The last time we met at the NMG was 14th September 2021 when Ilkeston won by 5-0.
Both matches were in our 2021-22 season when we won promotion from the NPL Midland Division.

Last edited by Matchman (27/8/2025 10:02 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** 29/8/2025 6:42 AM

.

The First Round Qualifying of The Emirates FA Cup takes place this weekend as we host Spalding United!

Microlise New Manor Ground DE7 8JF
£13 Adults
£9 Concessions,
£2 U16s,
U11s Free with a paying adult

**Posted by plymrob** 29/8/2025 3:31 PM

v- Spalding. Let's go for blooming first half, and a flousihing second - tiring late in the game.

**Posted by WhiteBallProject** 29/8/2025 10:10 PM

**Posted by WhiteBallProject** 29/8/2025 10:11 PM

**Posted by WhiteBallProject** 29/8/2025 10:11 PM

**Posted by WhiteBallProject** 29/8/2025 10:12 PM

**Posted by WhiteBallProject** 29/8/2025 10:13 PM

**Posted by WhiteBallProject** 29/8/2025 10:14 PM

**Posted by WhiteBallProject** 29/8/2025 10:14 PM

**Posted by WhiteBallProject** 29/8/2025 10:31 PM

**Posted by Alex** 30/8/2025 8:34 AM

Fantastic info mate

**Posted by WhiteBallProject** 30/8/2025 8:43 AM

Retirement is STATTO HEAVEN!

**Posted by WhiteBallProject** 30/8/2025 8:49 AM

Somebody once asked me about the missing seasons and I was told that we embarrassingly forgot to enter in the 70s. When we reformed we were owned by Alan Hardy and because he owned Notts County we were barred. A bit like Crystal Palace! In 1903 I think we missed out because Ilkeston United had only just moved up to senior football after Ilkeston Town version one went bust.

**Posted by Matchman** 30/8/2025 10:00 AM

.
FA CUP MATCH DAY

Today is a doubly important day for me with Ilkeston Town playing in the FA Cup and four bakery entries in the West Hallam Village Show.

Most important is an Ilkeston win and through to the next round of the FA Cup.
Make no mistake, It’s going to be a difficult game against a good Spalding United side who have won their last 3 games on the road.

Last edited by Matchman (30/8/2025 10:01 AM)

**Posted by kevilsonlad** 30/8/2025 10:41 AM

Well I am more nervous about this game more than a league game . Why ? Well we don't di very in cup games done really . Yes there has been a few but we more likely we disappoint .
The worst game ever was the Rugby game when we lost at home . And this was after they put a make shift squad together the night before . From a Rugby fan he said to me that we will thrash them ... Well we didn't we lost .

**Posted by Matchman** 30/8/2025 12:21 PM

Apparently if it’s a draw today there will be a replay on Tuesday at Stamford

**Posted by Trowell Nicky** 30/8/2025 12:43 PM

WhiteBallProject wrote:

Enjoyed poring over those John. Nice one.

**Posted by Matchman** 30/8/2025 1:28 PM

Ilkeston town
1 Wharton, 2 Stevens, 3 Daniel, 4 Parker, 5 Marshall T, 6 Dixon, 7 Brandy, 8 Essien, 9 Fox, 10 Walker, 11Yiumbi.
Bench: 12 Minkley, 13 Shepherd (GK), 14 Kirby-Moore , 15 Whyle, 16 Thornhill, 17 Marshall A, 18 Silkowski.

Spalding United
1 Chapman, 2 Semble-Ferris, 3 Bondswell, 4 Johnson, 5 Blythe, 6 Bendle, 7 Roberts, 8 Sheriff, 9 McCammon,10 Cybulski, 11 Ceesay.
Bench: 12 Clifton, 14 Lawlor, 15 Thompson, 16 Sano-Sani, 17 Nicholson, 19 White.

Last edited by Matchman (30/8/2025 1:34 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** 30/8/2025 1:57 PM

Spalding no 11 Yusifu Ceesay played against us for Hereford. He was very good on that occasion.

Today is quite windy.
Ilkeston are in red/white. Spalding are in blue/yellow.
The teams are out.

Ilkston will start by attacking the car park end. Ilkeston to kick off

We're off.......

Last edited by Matchman (30/8/2025 2:00 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** 30/8/2025 2:07 PM

The wind is making it difficult for both sides. Ceesay shot hits the post after he gets to the ball first. Let off for Ilkeston. Walker header finds Fox free but offside flag is raised. 0-0. 5 mins

Last edited by Matchman (30/8/2025 2:07 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** 30/8/2025 2:12 PM

First corner to Spalding. It’s taken short and the ball is cleared. Spalding looking more dangerous. 0-0. 12 mins

**Posted by Matchman** 30/8/2025 2:22 PM

Marshall cuts out danger. Unmarked Youmbi can’t quite reach Brandy’s cross which goes over him . Ceesay is very fast and causing problems. Bad foul by Sheriff on Parker. He’s back on his feet. 0-0. 22 mins.

**Posted by Matchman** 30/8/2025 2:23 PM

Good run by Brandy who is Ilkestons main threat. Ilkeston free kick nead left corner flag. Its cleared by Spalding.
Chance for Ceesay but a foul is given against him. Youmbi does well and finds Brandy. Its a corner. Header goes wide. 0-0. 31 mins

Last edited by Matchman (30/8/2025 2:31 PM)

**Posted by Matchman** 30/8/2025 2:34 PM

Good defending by Essien. GOAL. What a goal by Sam Essien. 1-0. 33 mins

Low shot right in the corner of the net.

Last edited by Matchman (30/8/2025 2:36 PM)