A Matter Of Time?
Ilkeston Town 0-1 Warrington Rylands (Northern Premier League)
It’s been a tricky season for Ilkeston Town. A couple of lads who I have previously worked with in football, Aaron Large and Triss Whitman, got the Robins job in the summer, two young coaches who made the leap from United Counties League side Hucknall Town (in step 5) to the third tier of the non-league game, I always felt it was going to be a tough ask, but they know ball, give them time they’ll get it right, I just hope that they’ll get the time to get it right?
Sadly, my sentiment isn’t shared by many Robins supporters, Ilkeston are third bottom in the division after nine games on seven points, they are off the back of five straight defeats and are without a win in nine since winning their first two league games of the season, they have recently crashed out of the FA Trophy and FA Cup at the first attempt.
Things are a little better for Warrington Rylands, Neil Reynolds men are tenth in the division on thirteen points and are unbeaten in three in the league, they crashed out of the FA Cup at the second attempt, in the second qualifying round against Chorley a couple of Saturday’s ago, but at the weekend beat Stockton Town in the FA Trophy to continue their run in that competition.
Formed in 1906, Rylands are in their fifth season in the Northern Premier League and are not to be confused with near neighbours Warrington Town. The two rivals separated by just 2.4 miles and four league points going into this game.
I’ve set off early tonight as I need to get a Colin the Caterpillar Cake for laddo’s birthday on Sunday, there’s an M&S next to Ikea which is a short five-minute drive from the ground. I nip in for a meal deal but there are no Colin’s left, only Connie's, after a quick phone check with the wife, I’m told they all taste the same.
The Venue
Just a thirteen-mile drive from my house is the Microlise New Manor Ground and I’m pulled up with plenty of time ahead of kick off, parked around the back of the Main Clock Tower Stand on Awsworth Road, the ground situated on the Eastern edge of Ilkeston, opposite a coal supply depot and Ilkeston Autocentre which has a load of beat up old cars stacked on top of each other which they use for spare parts.
It’s an industrial and run down location, not pretty, but the ground itself feels modern, as I walk up to the turnstile and pay my £13, inside is tarmac walkways and a raised green carpet across the middle, lads already warming up on the wide 3g pitch under low beam floodlights as I walk across the fading red carpet of the dugouts to get to my usual perch in the high seated stand all the way in the far corner.
Already you can feel the tension inside the venue, media folk sat at the back of the stand saying “we need to score first tonight” as the Managers parents and partners sit close by, nervous and quiet, it all feels subdued.
I’m a big believer of winning games in the warmups, it’s the manner in which you attack them you see, I want to feed off the buoyant coaching staff, see regular giggles and jokes with the players, high fives, intensity, loud talking, laughter, I see none of that tonight. Just two tired Managers, quiet, head down, hoping they can make it through the night.
The form has affected the vibe around the place no doubt, just 264 in tonight, it feels bare behind each goal, empty covered stands, not normally this quiet in these parts, England are on the box, but I think more to the point is that some fans are simply fed up of what they have been watching?
The Game
There’s a few scouts in attendance, Jacob Butterfield and Kelvin Davies from Hednesford Town have popped over to watch all track suited up, there’s nothing more than low applause and the odd shout of ‘Cmon Ilson’ as we get under way, Warrington Rylands in all blue, the Robins in red and white stripes with annoying dark black numbers on their backs.
The game tempo matches the build-up, slow, laboured, no intensity from the hosts who are happy to sit deep, attack high and stretch the game with long balls out wide. Warrington, I’m trying to work out their formation, they are happy to leave two v one at the back and all bomb forward in no particular order. Calum Costello with ten on his baggy shirt is causing early trouble, he dances into the box on the right and crosses low to George Waring who blazes over.
Costello is good, very good, apparently on loan from Fleetwood Town the Irish winger has played for Waterford and Bray Wanderers back in homeland before moving to the Northwest coast, still only 20 he’s the best player on show.
From a tight angle his deflected effort hits the top of the crossbar, as Warrington ramp up the corner count, the visitors are the aggressors in the first half but every now and again Ilkeston counter, spreading the ball out to either Ash Hunter or L'varn Brandy who try and find a rather isolated Anthony Dwyer in attack. Unfortunately the delivery isn’t always on point.
The Score
At half time it’s nil nil and it seems the Ilkeston fans are happy with that. “A much improved performance” is said by those around me who are also impressed with debutant Jesse Omoregbee who’s a young centre half on loan from Boston United.
But whilst the second half endeavour continues as a little improvement on recent games, the basic requirements of keeping the ball out of the back of the net doesn’t, on 57 Costello is dancing down the right again, he’s beating players and is into the box, before crossing low to Harrison Wood who smashes home from close range.
It’s the difference on the night in Warrington having that extra spark in attack, they aren’t overly better than Ilkeston, but they play on the front foot, and they have a player with confidence who can create the all important goal.
In comparison, Ilkeston’s best player is debutant Omoregbee, he hasn’t put a foot wrong and is a colossus in defence before for no apparent reason, he passes the ball straight to Costello under no pressure at all, the Rylands winger running through on goal should really score and put the game to bed, but his drive is saved by Wilson and Ilkeston live to fight again.
And in fairness, show fight they do, Ilkeston bring on Jeavin Seaton in attack and suddenly with the extra body forward they look so much better, as they pump balls in desperately, a late rally has a couple of corners, a couple of blocked shots, but too little, too late, as Warrington, the better team of the two, hang on to a solid but unspectacular three points on the road.
The Stars
By the end of the game I’ve still not worked out the Warrington formation as they seem to play without full backs but with really high wingers and it’s Costello who switches from right, to left later on who is the star, technically good, quick, positive, everything you want from a wide man on the books of a football league club.
Defensively they are solid, but without having to do too much defending, a good size and stature is Paddy Gamble in the heart of the back two (or three, it certainly wasn’t four).
In midfield Charlie Munro and Joe Riley provide experience and shape, sitting in when others go forward, but getting on the ball and making play themselves, I really like Ben Hardcastle who plays a central role, having seen him out wide before, a player who runs at opponents with a bit of quality, he had one effort from long range dip just ever so slightly too late.
In attack, Rylands have Harrison Wood who is a lively operator, George Waring is their big number nine who missed a couple of relatively easy opportunities, whilst Jawad Jebrin had a bit of pace on the right.
Whilst Ilkeston wasn’t as bad as I expected (having heard some depressing reports from people who have seen them this season) individually they do have some good players, perhaps missing a bit of experience, a bit of drive, some better shape and a good kick up their arses.
Both full backs were relatively solid, at centre half you feel like both Pharrell Johnson and Jesse Omoregbee could do with some experience besides them, but I feel both with power and presence could be at this level or above for a very long time.
In midfield Cherif Yaya on loan from Nottingham Forest had moments, he’s relatively physical and solid but won’t be playing Premier League football anytime soon, whilst out wide this is where Ilkeston can be so dangerous, both L'varn Brandy and Ash Hunter have ability, all be it both were frustrating on the night in end product.
I felt for Anthony Dwyer who’s a forward who thrives off service, he was better helped by the late addition of Jeavin Seaton who’s a handful, awkward, but I like him and for me both must play together in attack if Ilkeston are to improve in their fortunes.
The Verdict
I don’t know whether this defeat is the one that tests the patience of the Robins hierarchy that little too much? Upon the Referees whistle it felt like those around me, in particular the families of the managers, were resigned to anticipating the inevitable already? It feels like only a matter of time?
Whether Triss Whitman will get that time is another question? Ilkeston Town sit twentieth in the division but moving now to invite new management targets, may still rescue their season? The Robins after all are only a win from jumping out of the relegation places. Perhaps there's no panic at all?
As for Warrington Rylands, a decent win, a good solid Northern Premier League team, which is what Ilkeston are long renowned as, in getting back to where they need to be, maybe taking a leaf out of the Neil Reynolds book would do no harm?
Front foot football with confidence was really the only deciding factor on the night. Oh, and that of a decent football league loanee who’s quality stole the show.
Warrington up to ninth in the table just a point behind their same town rivals with playoff places still a target, next up they face Emley whilst Ilkeston have a long trip to Lancaster ahead on Saturday.
The Teams
Ilkeston Town: Sam Wilson, Sonnie Kelvin Davis, Will Grewal-Pollard, Colin Daniel (Jeavin Seaton 66), Pharrell Johnson, Jesse Omoregbee, Ashley Hunter, Cohen Lee (Sam Newell 55), Anthony Dwyer, Cherif Yaya, L'varn Brandy (McKeal Abdullah 83).
Warrington Rylands: Luke Pilling, Clive Smith (Niall Battersby 82), Patrick Gamble, Joe Riley (Stanley Holder 78), Guy Hall, Charlie Munro (Dean Furman 58), Harrison Wood (Ryan Tioffo 89), Ben Hardcastle, George Waring, Calum Costello, Jawad Jebrin (Myles La Bestide 71).
7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 29th September 2026, New Manor Ground, Ilkeston (att 264).
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