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Tuesday
5th May 2009
WALKING
IN AN ILSON WONDERLAND
After
defeat in the final game of the season against
Whitby
there was a sense of deflation amongst the Ilkeston Town
faithful. However the players yet again lifted the spirits with
two wins that will live long in the memory of all who witnessed
them.
Tuesday
28th April 2009
Ilkeston
Town 4
Sleath
32
Cahill
59 pen
Newsham
62
Murphy
108
Kendal
Town 3
Hallam
2
Foster
44
Taylor
82
Att
653
With
a full strength team on the pitch the Robins looked set to
show their capability and talents. However they were rocked by
Kendal who took the lead after only two minutes when Tony Hallam
volleyed home. In response Ilkeston started to find their
rhythm and on 32 minutes Danny Sleath levelled for
the Robins after good work by Sam Duncum and Tom
Cahill. Ilkeston
were controlling the game when on 44 minutes when Tony Foster
robbed Keiran Murphy and fired a shot which bobbled over Chris
Adamsons outstretched arm to put the visitors unexpectedly
back into the lead. After the break the Robins poured
forward with wave after wave of attacks. Duncum was causing
problems down the right and he won a penalty when he cut inside
and was bought down after 58 minutes. Cahill stepped up and
confidently stroked the ball home. Two minutes later Duncum
crossed for Marc Newsham to stroke the ball home at the far
post. 3-2 up and the game looked safe however Kendal were not
going to go down without a fight and on 82 minutes Alex Taylor
headed home an equaliser. In extra time two tired teams slugged it
out with Kendal looking marginally the stronger team. The winning
goal came from Ilkeston in the 108th when Murphy forced the
ball home from a Pringle corner. The Robins survived
a nervous final minutes but could have gone further ahead when Jon
Douglas hit a post. The sense of relief at the final whistle
was tempered by thought that Ilkeston would have to do it
all again on Saturday against
Nantwich
Town
.
Line up - Adamson, Harrison, Hurst, Church, Weaver, Murphy,
Sleath (Istead 75 mins)., Pringle. Cahill (Douglas 104 mins)
, Newsham (Morgan-Smith 80 mins) , Duncum (Istead 75 mins) Subs not used Thompson and Wild.
WhiteBallProject
Man of the Match – Sam
Duncum
Saturday
2nd May 2009
Ilkeston
Town 2
Pringle
10
Weaver
93
Nantwich
Town 1
Lennon
31
Att
1,794
Ilkeston
started their most important game of the season with the same
line up that beat Kendal Town. They made a much better start than
they did on Tuesday going ahead after only ten minutes when Ben
Pringle after the visiting keeper Jones had fumbled a Danny
Sleath shot. The Robins were marginally on top but were
bought back down to earth on 31 minutes when Tom Cahill
sold Chris Adamson short with a wayward back pass. Nantwich
top scorer Michael Lennon pounced slipped the ball past Adamson
and slotted the ball home. The game then descended into a scrappy
and nervous encounter with both frightened to make mistakes. The
game back to life on 75 minutes when Anthony Church was
fouled on the edge of the Ilkeston box and reacted by throwing a
punch. The Nantwich player fell like Ricky Hatton and Church
got his marching orders. Later Church admitted he 'lost it'
after being head butted for the third time in the game.
I
felt like many fans around me that this was the end. However this
Ilkeston team have guts and seemed to grow in stature when
playing a man short. Three minutes into extra time Bravely headed
Ilkeston's second. It proved to be the winner but not before
we endured another 27 minutes of nervous tension. Adamson
made an excellent save and Amari Morgan-Smith managed to
miss a sitter, win a penalty then place the resulting too close to
the keeper. Nantwich wilted and Ilkeston made it to the
winning line.
At
the final whistle hordes of fans invaded the pitch and the players
disappeared in a melee of excited supporters. Steve and Rachel
Thornton hugged and kissed the players and fans not seen at
the ground in ages suddenly became life long fans. Simon
Weaver received a glass vase fortunately the UniBond officials
had removed the flowers but the most enduring image was of mad
Stevie Istead wearing Rocky Robins head in the Clocktower
Stand. It did explain why Steve was on the bench in recent
weeks as it left available to wear the full Rocky Robin get up at
half time. The head was eventually tossed into the crowd and a Parisian
costumer was heard crying into his red wine.
After
the players had left the ground for a night out in Sheffield
thoughts were turned to the future. The Conference North beckons
and the club must aim to secure the future of the management team Rob
Scott and Paul Hurst who got them there. Yes David
Holdsworth put in the foundations but Scott and
Hurst added a bit of dash and attacking flair to the team
after David jumped ship to join mansfield Town. Marc
Newsham, Aaron Jameson, Simon Harrison and Danny Sleath
were all post Holdsworth signings. Decisions taken in the
next weeks will determine the future of Ilkeston Town and
people need to be brave.
Line
up - Adamson, Harrison, Hurst, Church, Weaver, Murphy,
Sleath, Pringle, Cahill (Morgan-Smith 67 mins), Newsham (Istead 79
mins), Duncum (Douglas 105 mins) Subs not used Thompson and
Wild.
WhiteBallProject
Man of the Match – Ben
Pringle
After
the game and the post match celebrations Mr WhiteBall retired
to the Newdigate Arms. Myself and Mr Awsworth Red both sat
sensibly with our other halves
basking
in the glow of victory. However I spoilt it all by going home and
deciding to carry a mattress on my head up two flights of stairs
and collided into a set of drawers. Unfortunately there no physio
or sympathy in our house and I still suffering from the dead leg i
received.
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Ben
Pringle celebrates after opening the scoring on 10 minutes
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Simon
Weaver scores the winning goal afdter 93 minutes
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Anguish
as Amari Morgan-Smith's penalty is saved
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| We've done
it Rachel!! We are going up!!!! |
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Paul
Hurst and family get a hug from Steve Thornton
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Tom
Cahill and Simon weaver celebrate and ben hugs the bubbly
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It means
so much players and fans young and old!
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Special
moments with fans and friends
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Keiran
Murphy and ben Pringle share their thoughts with the fans
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Rod
malcom gets Reorter of the Year from the players
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My
favourite moment! Get down and boogie Stevei!!
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Monday
27th April 2009
ILKESTON
SETTLE FOR PLAY OFFS
Tuesday
21st April 2009
Ilkeston
Town 5
Douglas
21
Wild
24
Cahill
44 pen, 58, 66
Marine
0
Att
341
Ilkeston
started the week looking to bounce back from the disappointment of
losing their unbeaten record against FC United of Manchester.
Managers Rob Scott and Paul Hurst rested a number of
players and the move looked to be back firing when Marc Newsham
missed a good chance after three minutes and Kieran Murphy
managed to deflect a ball on to his own post. The home teams
nerves were settled on 21 minute when Dan Sleath's trickery
on the left wing enabled Jon Douglas to hook the ball home
from eight yards out. With the edginess gone the Robins
poured forward and Liam Wild added a second three minutes
later after getting on the end of an excellent Simon Harrison free
kick. Ilkeston started to relax and spray the ball around
playing some if the best football of the season. The Robins came
close on numerous occasions, as Marine appeared to give up the
ghost. The third goal came on the stroke of half time when Stephen
Istead was upended in the box and Tom Cahill stepped up
to calmly convert the resulting penalty. After the break
Ilkeston continued to dominate the game and Cahill capped
an excellent performance by adding two more goals.
Line
Up -Adamson, Thompson, Hurst, Harrison, Murphy, Wild,
Istead (Pringle 80 mins), Sleath, Cahill (Morgan-Smith 72 mins),
Newsham (Green 60 mins), Douglas Subs not used Duncum and Weaver.
WhiteBallProject
Man of the Match – Tom
Cahill
Saturday
24th April 2009
Whitby
Town 3
Raw
44
Hackworth
72
Charlton
90
Ilkeston
Town 0
Att
504
Rob
Scott and Paul Hurst decided to rest a number of key
players possibly with one eye on the play offs on the following
Tuesday. Although still had a chance of winning the title it
depend on Eastwood Town slipping up at home to Ossett Town. Whitby
Town needed a win to stand a chance of staying up. Ilkeston
had an early chance when Simon Weaver headed wide but the
home side started to look the side most likely and eventually they
took the lead through Steve Huggins on 44 minutes. The Robins
rallied in the second half and forced two excellent saves out of
Whitby keeper Nick Liversage. Whitby sealed the tie with a harshly
awarded penalty after 73 minutes. Weaver was adjudged to
pushed Tom Raw to the ground and Tony Hackworth converted the
penalty. News filtered through that Eastwood were one up and
Ossett had missed a penalty thoughts were focused on a play off
place. As the game petered out Whitby scored a third when Chris
Adamson spilled a free kick and Karl Charlton pounced to
score.
Line
Up - Adamson, Thompson, Hurst, Harrison, Weaver, Wild
(Pheasant 76 mins), Istead, Pringle, Morgan-Smith, Green (Duncum
74 mins), Douglas (Cahill 74 mins) Subs not used Newsham and
Sleath.
WhiteBallProject
Man of the Match – Simon Harrison
Ilkeston
Town can now look forward to a play off semi final against
Kendal Town. FC United of Manchester surprisingly missed out after
only drawing with Bradford Park Avenue. The other play off semi
final is to be contested between Nantwich Town and the inform
Guiseley.
19th
April 2009
ILKESTON'S
NANTWICH HIGH AND UNITED LOW
Wednesday
13th April 2009
Nantwich
Town 0
Ilkeston Town 1
Pringle
15
Att
537
Ilkeston
Town's emotional roller coaster season took an upward twist
on Wednesday night when the Robins traveled to Nantwich and came
with a deserved three points. Ben Pringle gave Ilkeston
the lead after good work by Sam Duncum on 15 minutes. Pringle
nearly made it two ten minutes later and the Robins also
came close through Dan Sleath and Marc Newsham.
This
was Ilkeston's best performance for a number of weeks and
they totally dominated a strong Nantwich line up.
Line up - Adamson, Thompson, Hurst, Church, Weaver, Murphy,
Sleath, Pringle (Istead 75). Morgan-Smith (Cahill 87 mins),
Newsham (Douglas 90 mins), Duncum. Subs not used Harrison and Wild.
WhiteBallProject
Man of the Match
- Sam Duncum
Saturday
16th April 2009
Ilkeston
Town 0
FC United of Manchester 1
Williams
90
Att
1313
 Ilkeston
Town welcomed the inform FC United of Manchester to a
packed New Manor Ground knowing that a win heap more pressure on
Eastwood at the top of the table. After 90 minutes of what was a
scrappy and tense affair with missed chances for both sides it
looked like it was going to finish goalless. However FC United had
other ideas and Danny Williams forced home the winner in time
added on. A further blow for the tired Robins came when
news came through that Eastwood had come back from a 2-0 deficit
to draw at Ashton United.
To
be fair on the balance of play FC United probably deserved their
win. Ilkeston's chances of winning are still there but only
just. Ossett need to beat Eastwood next Saturday and Ilkeston need
to beat Marine and Whitby. If has expected the Badgers do go up as
champions the Robins could find themselves facing FC United
again at the New Manor Ground in the play offs.
Line up - Adamson, Harrison, Hurst, Church, Weaver, Murphy,
Sleath (Douglas 66 mins)., Pringle. Morgan-Smith (Cahill 61 mins),
Newsham , Duncum (Istead 75 mins) Subs not used Thompson and Wild.
WhiteBallProject
Man of the Match
- Kieran Murphy
AWARDS
After
the game the annual players awards were presented. Kieran
Murphy won the Manager's and Players Player of the Year award
and Ben Pringle won the supporters Player of the Year.
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| Joint
Managers Paul Hurst and Rob Scott with the Managers and
Players Player of the Year Kieran Murphy |
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| Supporters representative
John Hendy with Supporters Player of the Year Ben
Pringle |
13th
April 2009
ILKESTON'S
HOPES STRANGLED BY BOSTON
Boston
United 0
Ilkeston Town 0
Ilkeston's
hopes of overhauling leaders Eastwood Town suffered a blow when
they were held to a draw by a stubborn Boston defence. The
Robins by all accounts were the the better side but were
unable to get that elusive goal. Jon Douglas saw a header hit the
bar in the first half but as rivals Eastwood were dispatching
Frickley Athletic 4-2 the thought of play offs became an increasing
possibility. On Wednesday Ilkeston Travel to Nantwich Town hoping
to revive the fading title hopes.
Line up - Adamson, Harrison, Hurst, Sleath, Weaver, Murphy,
Istead (Thompson 90 mins), Pringle. Douglas (Newsham 83 mins),
Cahill (Morgan-Smith 69 mins), Duncum. Subs not used Green and Wild.
EX
ROBINS IN THE NEWS
 Ex
Robins player and manager
Nigel Jemson is back in management and not as one wag
suggested manager of the Halifax McDonalds but as caretaker boss
at AFC Halifax Town after Jim Vince was sacked last week. Vince
must be one of the unluckiest managers in non league football. Twice
he led Witton Albion to what looked like certain promotion only to
see his team blow it at the final hurdle. Now Halifax have done
the same thing and even look like missing out on the play offs. I
am sure Jim will buy some pegs or lucky heather next time and not
close the door.
12th
April 2009
ILKESTON
BEAT BADGERS
The
relaunch of the WhiteBallProject
coincided with an
important and historic win for the Robins. The site will
concentrate on giving an overview of present day life at the New
Manor Ground and will become a platform to look at the clubs
heritage with the help of club historian Duncan Payne.
However
back to the present and Ilkeston Town take on Eastwood
Town. In front 2,288, of one of the biggest league gates since the
sixties, the Robins were on the back foot as the visitors
looked to seal the title. Ilkeston however started to get
back into the game and on 28 minutes Sam Duncum struck a
shot against the post and Ben Pringle pounced to fire in a
low hard cross which Marc Newsham swept home. The Robins
just edged the first half and after the break the Badgers bought
on Marc Smith and reverted to a long ball style of play. This
tactic worked well when we visited Eastwood earlier in the season
and we lost a 2-0 lead in the last five minutes. However Ilkeston
had learnt their lesson and they defended the aerial bombardment
and could have score a couple themselves with a few could chances
being spurned and Ben Chapman clearing off the line. Eastwood's
best chances came in the last minute when Marc Smith headed over
from a corner.
An
excellent win and an heroic performance by probably one of the
best Ilkeston sides I have seen since they won the Midland League
in the late sixties. All the team played well but special mention
must go Ben Pringle and Sam Duncum who shone and are match
winners when they are in this type of form.
The
win leaves Ilkeston five points behind Eastwood with two
games in hand. That's the good news. The not so good is that two
of the last five games are against high riding Nantwich Town and
FC United of Manchester.
On
a final it was a big disappointment to everyone connected with
Ilkeston Town Football Club that there was trouble between a
group of spectators who will not call fans as they did not
watch the game and spent the whole ninety minutes in a drunken
stupor hurling abuse at each other. The police chopper added to
the dramatic atmosphere but why it was there nobody knows.
Match
Stats
Ilkeston
Town1
Newsham
28
Eastwood
Town 0
Att
2280
Line
up - Adamson, Harrison, Hurst, Church, Weaver, Murphy,
Istead (Sleath 78 mins), Pringle, Douglas, Newsham (Morgan-Smith
78 min), Duncum (Cahill 90 mins) subs not used Thompson and Wild.
WhiteBallProject
Man of the Match
- Ben Pringle
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