News

Robins beat Guiseley on the road

Saturday 23rd March 2024 – Pitching In Northern a Premier League

Guiseley AFC 1-2 Ilkeston Town

 

A goal in each half by Tom Cursons was enough to give Ilkeston a victory which avenged a 4-1 defeat at the NMG earlier in the season and put a dent in Guiseleys playoff hopes.

The swirling wind caused problems but both sides produced early chances. Cursons had an opportunity for Ilkeston at the far post but put his shot into the side netting.  Ilkeston then had a penalty shout rejected when Cursons was put through by Connor Dixon before going down in the area under challenge. On 13 minutes Guiseley looked sure to score when Gabriel Johnson burst though. His shot was followed up by Kallan Murphy but Larell King got back to make a brilliant goal line block and saw the ball deflect safely into Matt Yatess hands. Another chance came Guiseleys way when Prince Ekpolo fired over after Yates had pushed away the original shot. On 24 minutes Tom Marshall was penalised for a foul on Murphy in the area. Leading scorer Johnson stepped up to take the penalty but saw his effort come back off the crossbar. Guiseley were made to pay for the miss as Ilkeston went straight down the other end to take the lead through a smart Cursons finish. There was a fierce response from Guiseley and Murphy had a chance but was off target before Jameel Ible scored an equaliser on 34 minutes when a corner wasnt cleared. Guiseley bossed the remainder off the first half but the teams went in level.

After an even restart Guiseley gradually got on top and Ilkeston had to defend. Yates saved brilliantly from Liam Tongue then Jonathan Wafula back defending, produced an outstanding tackle inside Ilkeston’s area to deny Guiseley a real scoring opportunity. On 68 minutes Guiseley were really unlucky when a cross shot by Tongue hit the inside of the far post and rebounded into Yatess hands. As in the first half, Guiseleys misfortune was made worse when Cursons restored Ilkestons lead two minutes later.

Guiseley retaliated with fury but Ilkeston had another chance from a free kick in a central position which Tom Marshall fired wide. Guiseley continued to press but Ilkeston were defending for their lives and Yates was equal to everything thrown at him. In added time both sides created an opportunity. Murphy fired over for Guiseley and Ilkeston debutant Jaden White had a chance to make it 3-1 but saw his effort go the wrong side of the post.

After the game Ilkeston manager Ian Deakin praised his teams resilient performance while Guiseley manager Andy Welsh rued the chances missed in the first half.

 

Written by – John Attewell

Robins draw at home against Hyde United

Saturday 16th March 2024 – Northern Premier League

Ilkeston Town 1-1 Hyde United

 

This was a good point for Ilkeston against one of the best footballing sides in the league. The Robins might have won the game near the end but a draw was a fair result after Hyde had much the better of the first half.

Hyde started impressively with some excellent quick passing moves and on 6 minutes Lewis Alessandras forced Matt Yates to tip his shot onto the bar. But it was Ilkeston who went ahead against the run of play after Jamie Walker was fouled in the area then scored the resulting penalty on 11 minutes.  Hyde hit back immediately and Yates had to save from Shakeel Jones-Griffiths and Manasse Mampala before the equaliser came from Jack Redshaw on 16 minutes. It followed a clever corner kick routine involving several players and ended with Redshaw firing low into the corner of the net. On 25 minutes There were shouts for another Ilkeston penalty when Lindon Meikle was sent tumbling in the area but the offside flag had been raised. A superb Tom Marshall tackle rescued Ilkeston then just before half time Matthew Fearnley had a big chance to put Hyde ahead but fired wide.

Hyde were first out off the blocks for the second half and Redshaw forced Yates into an early save and a minute later Declan Eratt-Thompson had to clear off the line from Redshaws header.

Soon after that Fearnley broke free but fired straight at Yates. Then came Ilkestons best spell. On 59 minutes a Hyde mistake at the back saw LVarn Brandy break free before being brought down giving Tom Marshall a free kick opportunity from 30 yards.  Marshalls attempt looked good but flew just wide of the post.

 

Marshall then had another chance when he got on the end of Eratt-Thompsons corner but his header was just too high. Connor Dixons shot was deflected wide before Hyde had a chance from a free kick right on the edge of the area but Yates made the save. With ten minutes to go Ilkeston very nearly snatched the lead.

Tom Cursons did exceptionally well to force his way into the area and create a chance for himself but his effort was parried by Hyde keeper Jordan Eastham and Meikle following up couldnt quite get the finishing touch. It was then Hydes turn to go close as Yates produced a stunning save to thwart Josh Doherty and preserve a point.

 

Written By – John Attewell

 

Bailey Waern Signs

We are delighted to announce the signing of versatile, Australian, defender Bailey Waern.

 

The former Sunshine Coast Wanderers FC (Australia) and IFK Aspudden (Sweden) defender will join Eastwood CFC on loan until the end of the season.

 

Following his signing, manager Ian Deakin said

“Bailey is a young defender who has been training with us for the past 4 weeks.

“He has done well and will provide us with an extra defensive option.

“He will join Eastwood CFC on loan for the remainder of this season.”

Sacha Markelic to join the Robins

Heanor Town top goalscorer, Sacha Markelic is set to join the Robins for the 2024/25 season.

The young striker will remain with Heanor Town until the end of the current campaign, as the Lions compete in the Derbyshire Senior Cup Final at Pride Park.

Manager Ian Deakin says

“Sacha is an exciting young forward who we have been watching for a while.

‘He has scored plenty of goals and possesses raw pace along with a real goalscoring threat.

‘He has lots of potential and we are delighted to secure his signature with lots of clubs in competition for it higher up the pyramid with him in high demand.

“He will remain at Heanor for the remainder of this season in an agreement between both clubs to continue his development.”

Cursons signs new deal until 2025

We are delighted to announce that striker Tom Cursons has put pen to paper for a new deal that sees him stay at the Microlise New Manor Ground until 2025.

Tom said the following after signing his new deal

“I’ve enjoyed it so far, I’ve worked with a lot of the lads before so that helped me settle in quickly and then scoring a few goals always helps too!

“With the management team signing new deals, it was good to have that stability and with the group we’ve got now, I think next season we can have a really strong year. That’s something I want to be a part of.”

 

Manager Ian Deakin is delighted to secure Tom’s services for another season, he went on to say

“I am delighted that Tom Cursons has committed his future to the club.

“He is an exciting young striker with all the attributes to continue up the leagues.

“He has been a huge plus since joining us and has provided a real goalscoring threat.

“His all round game is very accomplished for such a young striker, at 21 years of age, and is a very important piece of the jigsaw in what we are trying to build for the remainder of this season and next.”

 

Congratulations on the new deal, Tom!

Robins are beaten by table toppers Radcliffe

Saturday 24th February 2024 – Northern Premier League

Ilkeston Town 1-2 Radcliffe

Missed chances left Ilkeston pointless and Radcliffe 16 points clear at the top after a close encounter at the NMG. Radcliffe led by a single goal at half time but the afternoons most furious action came as the players left the field. when a full scale brawl broke out involving bench occupants and players of both teams. It took several minutes before order was restored and the outcome was a red card for Radcliffes Willem Tomlinson and Ilkestons Luke Cox.

Radcliffe had the ball in the net inside 3 minutes but the offside flag had been raised. Connor Dixon then had a great chance to put Ilkeston ahead but he placed his shot wide after good build up play by Ben Starkie. Next,Tom Cursons brought a diving save from Mateusz Hewelt who couldnt hold onto the shot but managed to grab the loose ball. Matt Yates was then forced into acton at the other end pushing a shot round the post. On 29 minutes Lois Maynard put Radcliffe ahead from close range following a Nicky Adams corner. Ten minutes later there was a massive penalty appeal by Ilkeston when Lindon Meikles shot hit a defenders arm but the referee rejected the appeals of most people in the ground and decided in Radcliffes favour. Radcliffe defender Rick Smith did well to block a Starkie effort then Cursons appeared to be sent tumbling in the area but again nothing was given.

The visitors held on to their lead until half time but within two minutes of the restart Ilkeston were level when Dixon slammed the ball into the top corner. However two minutesafter that Anthony Dudley restored Ratcliffes lead with a bending finish into the far corner. Jordan Hulme and Josh Hancock had shots saved by Yates as Radcliffe tried to add to their score. Then it was Ilkeston on top but Radcliffe were canny enough to see out the game. Cursons created a chance for himself but fired wide then Alex Marshall saw his effort from a tight angle saved by Hewelt. Ilkestons best chance to grab a point came in added time from a free kick after Cursons was brought down on the edge of the area. It was not to be though as Hewelt did really well  to beat out Tom Marshalls fierce effort.

 

Written by John Attewell

Management team sign for another year

Message from the chairman, Andrew Nally.

 

Robins Fans, I am delighted to announce that after successful negotiations between myself and Ian, we have extended our managers contract for another season. I am excited to continue to work with Ian and his team and am certain that we will deliver success to our great club.

 

I firmly believe that consistency is key and in Ian, I see an outstanding young manager with remarkable leadership qualities and I am proud to have him managing our club.

 

We continue to work tirelessly as a team to deliver success on and off the pitch

 

#InDeaksWeTrust

MATCH PREVIEW | Robins to host league leaders this weekend!

With just ten games remaining in the NPL 2023/24 season, the Robins welcome the current favourites and likely runaway league winners Radcliffe FC to the Microlise New Manor Ground.

Ian Deakin and his side will be looking to bounce back from two recent defeats in hard fought games against Macclesfield and Lancaster City.

 

Ilkeston Town Form Guide: WWWWLL
Radcliffe Form Guide: WLWDDW

Match Details:

Saturday, February 24th
Microlise New Manor Ground, DE7 8JF
Adults £12, Concessions £8, U16s FREE

 

Join us in the clubhouse from 13:00 until 14:00 as we introducer Happy Hour Special as we build up to matchday with Sky Sports in the recently refurbished clubhouse!

The following are priced at £3:

John Smiths

Stowford Press

Carling

East Coast IPA

Scrumdown (Saturday’s special Real Ale)