.

Two new faces at training tonight. Both looked decent. One of them was well over 6ft tall.

Good morale boosting talk by Deaks at the end of the session.

Last edited by Matchman (02/9/2025 9:26 PM)

Has the flyer been put on social media etc coz I can't see it as yet ..

Matchman wrote:

.
Two new faces at training tonight. Both looked decent. One of them was well over 6ft tall.

                                   
                                 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Both were there again for Thursday night’s training.  I really hope that we can persuade both to sign, especially the big lad who really stood out. Not just because of his height, he looked quite mobile too.
 

Last edited by Matchman (05/9/2025 7:48 AM)

.
Reduced Admission prices at the New Manor Ground plus Level Head at £2 per pint


Tomorrow Sat 6th Sep 25, it costs £10  Adults and £6 concessions to watch Ilkeston v Whitby

or would you rather pay £13 Adults and £7 concessions to watch Mickleover v Basford United

0r would you rather pay £11 Adults and £9 concessions to watch Long Eaton United v Carlton
 

Last edited by Matchman (05/9/2025 1:32 PM)

.
NPL preview  
League action returns in Step 3 as early unbeaten runs are put to the test
With the FA Cup first qualifying round in the books, sides in the Northern Premier League’s top division are getting ready to return to league action for the first time since the August bank holiday weekend. 

This weekend, the two remaining unbeaten sides in the division will face big tests.  
First, Rushall Olympic welcome Lancaster City to Dales Lane. The Dolly Blues have won three of their last four league games, but did taste defeat in the FA Cup last weekend against fellow NPL Premier Division side Whitby Town. Rushall drew both of their games across the bank holiday weekend and will be looking to carry their cup form into the league to put an end to that streak of draws. 

Warrington Rylands also drew twice over the bank holiday weekend to join the Pics on 12 points, but weren’t able to get back to winning ways in the FA Cup.  This weekend, the Blues take on a Hednesford side who, after winning their opening three league games, have picked up just one point in the following three. 

FC United of Manchester go into this weekend atop the Premier Division, despite playing one game less than their rivals. Mark Beesley’s side are one of two to have won all of their home games so far in the league this season, and that will be put to the test against Cleethorpes Town. Craig Rouse’s side are desperate to put an end to their current three-game losing run in all competitions, most recently falling to defeat against NPL East Division side Carlton Town in the FA Cup. 

Bamber Bridge are the other side to have won three out of three in front of their home fans so far this season. This weekend, they welcome basement club Workington to Irongate.  The Reds have lost all-but-one game in all competitions so far this season, including a defeat to NPL West Division outfit Stalybridge Celtic in cup action last weekend.  However, their one point was a hard-fought one against Ashton United a fortnight ago, who themselves aren’t in action this Saturday.

Workington aren’t the only side searching for their first league win of the new campaign, however, with winless Stocksbridge Park Steels travelling to Stockton Town. The Premier Division new boys have found it difficult to find the back of the net through five games. Their two goals scored is the joint-lowest in the league so far, and 10 fewer than their opponents, who have netted the most. 

Morpeth Town, despite picking up that elusive win, still sit below Stocksbridge due to four defeats in their other league outings. Prescot Cables are their opponents, who are also aiming to pick up just win number two of the season following their FA Cup exit against Hyde United in a midweek replay. 

Buoyed by that result, Nicky Spooner’s side travel to the north-east to take on Hebburn Town. 

Meanwhile, Warrington Town have picked up no points on their travels so far this season, losing to Hednesford, Whitby and Leek away from home so far. Their fourth league trip of the campaign doesn’t get much easier, as Russ Wilcox’s Gainsborough Trinity welcome the Yellows to the Northolme. Despite boasting a negative goal difference, Gainsborough have kept the most clean sheets in the league this season, with four shutouts in six league outings, and three in their last three games. 

It’s been a stop-start opening to the league season for last year’s play-off finalists Guiseley, who have picked up just seven points from their opening six games. They’ll look to bounce back from a winless bank holiday weekend when they travel to Harrison Park to take on Leek Town.

 Whitby put an end to a three-game losing run last weekend by beating Lancaster. The Seasiders will aim to chalk one up in the win column in league action for the first time since they beat Warrington Town 4-0 three weeks ago as they head to Derbyshire to take on Ilkeston Town. 

Saturday 6 September

• Bamber Bridge vs Workington
• FC United of Manchester vs Cleethorpes Town
• Gainsborough Trinity vs Warrington Town
• Hebburn Town vs Hyde United
• Ilkeston Town vs Whitby Town
• Leek Town vs Guiseley
• Prescot Cables vs Morpeth Town
• Rushall Olympic vs Lancaster City
• Stockton Town vs Stocksbridge Park Steels
• Warrington Rylands vs Hednesford Town

Last edited by Matchman (06/9/2025 6:24 AM)

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

Whitby Town
1 Bland, 2 Smith, 3 Haswell, 4 Liddle, 5 Whelan, 6 McGinley, 7 Dawson, 8 Gell, 9 Tymon, 10 Chimalilo. 11 Rivers.
Bench: 12 Wilson, 14 McGrath, 15 Harrison, 16 Charles, 17 Cranston.
 

Last edited by Matchman (06/9/2025 1:30 PM)

Good header back to Wharton by EJ.  Goal  for Whitby by Haswell following a great move.     0-1     3 mins

Last edited by Matchman (06/9/2025 2:04 PM)

Ref comes over to Ilkeston dugout.  Don’t know why. Whitby are defending well.   Parker gets a shot in but it’s an easy save for Bland.  Whitby player booked for holding back Fox.   EJ header from the free kick is wide. 
0-1    25 mins

Big chance for Chimalilo on the break but he fires wide.  Good play by Chimalilo wins Whitby a corner.  Then Brandy wins a corner at the other end.   Chances starting to come now.      0-1.    34 mins

Great effort by Tymon to lob Wharton. but it’s just off target. Dixon shot blocked.  Ilkeston free kick on corner of area.  Parker’s effort is saved.      0-1.    .  44 mins

Could be a difficult second half. Needs the leaders to step up to get something from thd game!

Corner to Whitby.  Wharton has it.  Very officious ref now books Youmbi. Chance for Dawson but he runs the ball out of play. Ironic cheers as refs gives Ilkeston a free kick.         0-1.     50 mins