Friday, April 17, 2009, 07:30
ILKESTON Town are aiming to crank up the pressure on UniBond Premier Division leaders Eastwood Town this weekend.
But to do so they must get past the last team to beat them in the league, FC United of Manchester, who visit the New Manor Ground tomorrow.
Since the 3-1 reverse at Gigg Lane in late October, second-placed Ilkeston have gone 26 league games without defeat.
"They are the last team to beat us in the league and that is something that will come up in the team talk," said Robins joint boss Rob Scott (right).
"We don't want to let them do the double over us.
"They are just outside the play-offs and are looking for points.
"They will bring a fair few supporters, so it should be another good crowd.
"They are a good side and like to get the ball down and play.
"But maybe that will suit us because they will have to come at us and win the game. So it could be an open match."
Ilkeston have taken seven points from three games in the last seven days, including crucial wins over rivals Eastwood – watched by a bumper crowd of 2,288 – and Nantwich Town.
In between, they were held to a goalless draw by Boston United.
"Against Eastwood, we controlled the game, pretty much from start to finish, and it was a great result," said Scott.
"That left things in our own hands but we were a bit disappointed with the Boston result on Monday.
"Again, we dominated the game but just couldn't make the breakthrough.
"We have played a massive amount of games in a short space of time and I think it showed a bit in terms of fitness in that match.
"But we keep coming back whenever we are faced with a bit of adversity and did it again at Nantwich.
"The lads showed great desire to get the win. The first-half display was one of our best performances of the season – we were outstanding.
"In the second half, we played with our heads and looked fairly comfortable.
"That result put the pressure back on Eastwood.
"All we can do is keep winning games and whatever will be, will be."
Ilkeston and FC United fans are to be segregated at the ground tomorrow.
Town supporters will have to use turnstiles on the clubhouse side of the ground.
They will have to watch the match in an area stretching from the Clocktower end to the Co-op Stand.
FC United supporters will enter the ground via turnstiles at the car park end of the ground.
Showing posts with label Derby Evening Telegraph. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Derby Evening Telegraph. Show all posts
Friday, April 17, 2009
Monday, March 09, 2009
Matlock Town: Gladiators claim precious points thanks to Jackson
Source: Derby Evening Telegraph
Monday, March 09, 2009, 07:30
JAMIE Jackson fired a late winner yesterday to give Matlock Town precious points in their battle to avoid relegation from the UniBond Premier Division.
But FC United of Manchester left Causeway Lane baffled by the manner of their defeat.
In Carlos Roca, FC United had by far the best player on the pitch but they wasted their chances and Matlock, needing three points desperately, got them thanks to a Jackson's late show.
Roca took advantage of a terrible back-pass from Danny Wood to give United a ninth-minute lead.
That had been Roca's third chance, at that stage having failed with two earlier attempts.
United continued to hold the upper hand but, out of the blue, Matlock levelled in the 35th minute when Jackson crossed for Dene Cropper, who netted with a fine downward header to level the score.
United continued to look the more likely side in the second half, as they pushed the Gladiators back.
But Matlock, with a poor defensive record in this campaign so far, defended stoutly and goalkeeper Paul Pettinger made a couple of fine saves.
Roca hit the post but Matlock survived and the hosts could have snatched victory earlier than they did when they won a penalty in the 88th minute after a handball.
But Gladiators' leading scorer Ross Hannah saw his spot kick superbly saved by Sam Ashton.
However, two minutes into added time, Hannah put his miss aside to set up Jackson's winner.
MATLOCK TOWN: Pettinger, Brough, Riley, King, Foyle, Laight. Jackson (Yates, 92), Warne, Cropper (Benger, 61), Hannah, Wood (Featherstone, 61). Other subs: Thorpe, Buxton. FC UTD OF MANCHESTER: Ashton, Carden, Garner, Moses, Tonge, Nugent, Chappell (Whitman, 77), Baguley (Dieyet, 77), Lomax (Williams, 69), Wright, Roca. REFEREE: S Ledger (Barnsley). ATTENDANCE: 1,038.
Monday, March 09, 2009, 07:30
JAMIE Jackson fired a late winner yesterday to give Matlock Town precious points in their battle to avoid relegation from the UniBond Premier Division.
But FC United of Manchester left Causeway Lane baffled by the manner of their defeat.
In Carlos Roca, FC United had by far the best player on the pitch but they wasted their chances and Matlock, needing three points desperately, got them thanks to a Jackson's late show.
Roca took advantage of a terrible back-pass from Danny Wood to give United a ninth-minute lead.
That had been Roca's third chance, at that stage having failed with two earlier attempts.
United continued to hold the upper hand but, out of the blue, Matlock levelled in the 35th minute when Jackson crossed for Dene Cropper, who netted with a fine downward header to level the score.
United continued to look the more likely side in the second half, as they pushed the Gladiators back.
But Matlock, with a poor defensive record in this campaign so far, defended stoutly and goalkeeper Paul Pettinger made a couple of fine saves.
Roca hit the post but Matlock survived and the hosts could have snatched victory earlier than they did when they won a penalty in the 88th minute after a handball.
But Gladiators' leading scorer Ross Hannah saw his spot kick superbly saved by Sam Ashton.
However, two minutes into added time, Hannah put his miss aside to set up Jackson's winner.
MATLOCK TOWN: Pettinger, Brough, Riley, King, Foyle, Laight. Jackson (Yates, 92), Warne, Cropper (Benger, 61), Hannah, Wood (Featherstone, 61). Other subs: Thorpe, Buxton. FC UTD OF MANCHESTER: Ashton, Carden, Garner, Moses, Tonge, Nugent, Chappell (Whitman, 77), Baguley (Dieyet, 77), Lomax (Williams, 69), Wright, Roca. REFEREE: S Ledger (Barnsley). ATTENDANCE: 1,038.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Matlock Town: Concentration key if Gladiators are to emerge Sunday best
Source: Derby Evening Telegraph
Saturday, March 07, 2009, 07:30
MATLOCK Town manager Mark Atkins wants his side to increase their concentration level for tomorrow's eagerly-anticipated visit of FC United of Manchester.
Atkins, who is sweating on the fitness of Jamie Jackson, Ryan Laight and Danny Wood, said: "We've got to get down to business tomorrow and get the three points.
"It's all about us, our levels of performance and how we do on the day.
"Concentration will be the key."
The game, which has been moved back 24 hours at the request of Derbyshire Police, with FC United expected to bring around 1,000 supporters with them, should be a thriller for spectators if the last meeting between the two sides back in August is anything to go by.
Then, two goals from Ross Hannah and a third from Dene Cropper helped the Gladiators take a point from a 3-3 draw at Bury's Gigg Lane.
Atkins added: "It's a game that we're looking forward to.
"We have a few knocks to Jamie Jackson (ankle), Danny Wood (hamstring) and Ryan Laight (thigh) but I'm confident that they'll be OK."
There could also be a new face in the side, following the departure of striker Simon Barraclough to Belper Town.
"We need some fresh blood in the side," he added.
"We've had poor performances at both Whitby and Witton in recent league games. That can't go on.
"Wholesale changes aren't needed but we need strength in a couple of areas."
Atkins was left frustrated after watching his side beat Boston United and then fall to a 2-0 defeat against Witton Albion a couple of days later.
"Saturday's win over Boston seems a long way away now," he said.
"We did everything right that day.
"We were focused, the defence was very secure and we were always a danger going forward. It was a very good performance.
"We'd worked on a few things in training before the game, both defending and attacking, and they came off to a tee.
"Then we got two good goals. Once we'd scored the first one, we looked more comfortable and could then have won by more."
But that was where the praise ended and changed to grumbles.
"Against Witton, we were exactly the opposite for the first 45 minutes," he said.
"We didn't seem up for it and we definitely didn't work as hard. When we got in good positions going forward, the movement was poor inside the box.
"The game at Witton was a great opportunity for us to get a bit more breathing space and we've now lost that opportunity, which is annoying with two home games coming up.
"We've had a talk about a few things in the dressing room and, hopefully, the lads will take on board what's been said."
Saturday, March 07, 2009, 07:30
MATLOCK Town manager Mark Atkins wants his side to increase their concentration level for tomorrow's eagerly-anticipated visit of FC United of Manchester.
Atkins, who is sweating on the fitness of Jamie Jackson, Ryan Laight and Danny Wood, said: "We've got to get down to business tomorrow and get the three points.
"It's all about us, our levels of performance and how we do on the day.
"Concentration will be the key."
The game, which has been moved back 24 hours at the request of Derbyshire Police, with FC United expected to bring around 1,000 supporters with them, should be a thriller for spectators if the last meeting between the two sides back in August is anything to go by.
Then, two goals from Ross Hannah and a third from Dene Cropper helped the Gladiators take a point from a 3-3 draw at Bury's Gigg Lane.
Atkins added: "It's a game that we're looking forward to.
"We have a few knocks to Jamie Jackson (ankle), Danny Wood (hamstring) and Ryan Laight (thigh) but I'm confident that they'll be OK."
There could also be a new face in the side, following the departure of striker Simon Barraclough to Belper Town.
"We need some fresh blood in the side," he added.
"We've had poor performances at both Whitby and Witton in recent league games. That can't go on.
"Wholesale changes aren't needed but we need strength in a couple of areas."
Atkins was left frustrated after watching his side beat Boston United and then fall to a 2-0 defeat against Witton Albion a couple of days later.
"Saturday's win over Boston seems a long way away now," he said.
"We did everything right that day.
"We were focused, the defence was very secure and we were always a danger going forward. It was a very good performance.
"We'd worked on a few things in training before the game, both defending and attacking, and they came off to a tee.
"Then we got two good goals. Once we'd scored the first one, we looked more comfortable and could then have won by more."
But that was where the praise ended and changed to grumbles.
"Against Witton, we were exactly the opposite for the first 45 minutes," he said.
"We didn't seem up for it and we definitely didn't work as hard. When we got in good positions going forward, the movement was poor inside the box.
"The game at Witton was a great opportunity for us to get a bit more breathing space and we've now lost that opportunity, which is annoying with two home games coming up.
"We've had a talk about a few things in the dressing room and, hopefully, the lads will take on board what's been said."
Friday, February 06, 2009
'Club of month' aim to keep momentum
Friday, February 06, 2009, 07:30
MATLOCK Town should welcome back trio Dene Cropper, Jamie Jackson and Lee Featherstone for tomorrow's UniBond Challenge Cup quarter-final at Whitby.
However, striker Ross Hannah is still struggling with the ankle injury he sustained three weeks ago at Buxton.
Manager Mark Atkins is hoping his side can continue the run of form that has seen them pick up the award for the UniBond Club of the Month.
The Gladiators are unbeaten in eight matches and Atkins says the award is well deserved.
"We're chuffed to pick up the Club of the Month Award," he said.
"It's good for everyone involved with the club and particularly the players, who've worked extremely hard recently.
"They deserve everything they've got in the last few weeks."
With a posse of strikers to choose from when Hannah regains full fitness, Atkins is happy with the selection headache he faces.
He said: "I'd rather have that dilemma than not being able to put a team out.
"With competition being strong, people have to perform to keep their place. If they do that, they will and that's what we want."
Meanwhile, Atkins was full of praise for Rob Lund, who scored on his debut in last Saturday's victory over Leigh Genesis.
"Rob Lund was excellent," he said.
"I knew what he could do and he gives us that bit of extra pace down the left.
"He can also operate as a central striker. He took his goal very well."
Matlock look set to play their first Sunday game in 20 years when heavily-supported FC United of Manchester come to Causeway Lane next month.
With United regularly taking over 1,000 supporters to away games, Derbyshire Constabulary have ruled that the game cannot go ahead on the scheduled date of Saturday, March 7, because police presence is needed at Pride Park Stadium, where Derby County will be playing Bristol City.
Both FC United and the UniBond League have given their support for the fixture to be put back 24 hours while Matlock are still waiting to hear from the relevant police authorities.
MATLOCK Town should welcome back trio Dene Cropper, Jamie Jackson and Lee Featherstone for tomorrow's UniBond Challenge Cup quarter-final at Whitby.
However, striker Ross Hannah is still struggling with the ankle injury he sustained three weeks ago at Buxton.
Manager Mark Atkins is hoping his side can continue the run of form that has seen them pick up the award for the UniBond Club of the Month.
The Gladiators are unbeaten in eight matches and Atkins says the award is well deserved.
"We're chuffed to pick up the Club of the Month Award," he said.
"It's good for everyone involved with the club and particularly the players, who've worked extremely hard recently.
"They deserve everything they've got in the last few weeks."
With a posse of strikers to choose from when Hannah regains full fitness, Atkins is happy with the selection headache he faces.
He said: "I'd rather have that dilemma than not being able to put a team out.
"With competition being strong, people have to perform to keep their place. If they do that, they will and that's what we want."
Meanwhile, Atkins was full of praise for Rob Lund, who scored on his debut in last Saturday's victory over Leigh Genesis.
"Rob Lund was excellent," he said.
"I knew what he could do and he gives us that bit of extra pace down the left.
"He can also operate as a central striker. He took his goal very well."
Matlock look set to play their first Sunday game in 20 years when heavily-supported FC United of Manchester come to Causeway Lane next month.
With United regularly taking over 1,000 supporters to away games, Derbyshire Constabulary have ruled that the game cannot go ahead on the scheduled date of Saturday, March 7, because police presence is needed at Pride Park Stadium, where Derby County will be playing Bristol City.
Both FC United and the UniBond League have given their support for the fixture to be put back 24 hours while Matlock are still waiting to hear from the relevant police authorities.
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