ILKESTON TOWN VS STOCKTON TOWN PREVIEW
COMPETITION: Northern Premier League Premier Division- Matchday 32
DATE: Tuesday 18th February, 2025
KICK-OFF: 19:45
ENTRY: Adults: £13.00, Concessions: £9.00, Student £9, U16 £2
GROUND: The New Manor Ground, Awsworth Rd, Ilkeston DE7 8JF
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc – Twitter/X
LIVE COMMENTARY: Anchors Radio (mixlr.com)
Stockton Town return to Derbyshire just days after suffering a bitterly disappointing loss at strugglers Mickleover.
By Michael Dunwell’s own admission, the Anchors were severely below par as they went down 1-0 through Owen Gallacher’s first half own goal.
There was a slight improvement in the second half but Stockton were unable to conjure up anything to really trouble the home side.
THE OPPOSITION
Ilkeston Town currently occupy the final Play-Off having taken it from Stockton on Saturday thanks to their score draw at Guiseley. Colin Daniel had given them the lead but Jordan Thewlis’ penalty secured a point for the home side.
They are managed by Ian Deakin, who holds previous against Stockton Town having navigated past the Anchors in the NPL East Play-Off final as Long Eaton United boss. Jamie Walker, who netted the winning penalty for Long Eaton, is also back facing the Anchors having joined Deakin at Ilkeston.
The Long Eaton connection does not stop there. Captain Tom Marshall and Left-Back Sam Parker both featured in the Play-Off final almost two years ago.
Ilkeston are adjusting to life after Tom Cursons. Another former Long Eaton man, Cursons had a tremendous start to the campaign as he hit 25 goals which earned him a move to EFL side Harrogate Town.
Since his departure they exited the Derbyshire Senior Cup with defeat against Alfreton, and have also suffered away defeats at Ashton United and Hyde.
They did beat Workington however, with striker Alex Hardwick bagging his first for the club.
FORM GUIDE
Ilkeston Town: L L W L D
Last Game: Guiseley 1-1 Ilkeston Town
Stockton Town: W W W L L
Last Game: Mickleover 1-0 Stockton Town
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This is the first meeting between the two clubs.
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Michael Dunwell looked ahead to the game:
“We’re in a position where we didn’t think we’d be but we are in that position because we deserve to be.
“We don’t want the season to end now. We want to keep pushing and see where we can get.
“We didn’t expect to be in the Play-Offs but we have target and we will keep going.”
