The Lions are back at Nethermoor for the final time in October on Saturday for a clash with Ilkeston Town, writes Adam Bridson.

Match sponsored by: It’s Your Move

“I am disappointed in the way we lost the game, we weren’t quite at it like we have been the last few weeks. The goal we gave away was very avoidable, we had openings and opportunities in the game but we haven’t played as well as we did in the last few weeks.”

“We have got to be better, have higher standards as much as we went toe to toe it wasn’t enough. We are just a little bit short and need that help to push us on.”

Mark Bower was disappointed with the way the Lions lost 1-0 at home to Warrington Rylands in a tight game but knew his side had chances to win it too.

Team News

Tom Senior missed Tuesday night’s clash with Warrington Rylands after pulling his hamstring in training, with his parent club, Barnsley on Monday.

Ollie Brown also sat out the match after injuring his shoulder at Bridlington on Saturday but Bower is confident the defender will return for the game with Ilkeston Town.

Bower also confirmed that Liam Ridehalgh is still a few weeks again but is upping his training having missed all the games so far this season.

Jay Buchan did return from his suspension on Tuesday night and Harrison Hopper made his first start after recovering from injury.

The Opposition

Ilkeston Town make the trip to West Yorkshire from Derbyshire one point and two places ahead of the Lions in 9th.

They halted a five game losing streak to win their last three in all competitions against Leek Town, Workington and Evesham.

Ian Deakin has been at the helm for just over two years with Town having missed out on a play off place last season by just three points having finished 11th in the 2023/24 campaign.

Lions academy graduate forward Robbie Fox joined Ilkeston in the summer from Silsden. The 23 year-old spent the majority of last season at Farsley Celtic before returning to Silsden to help fire them to promotion to the Northern Premier League East Division.

Previous Meetings

Since Ilkeston Town reformed in 2017 the two sides have met four times.

Both matches last season ended in 1-1 draws, John Lufudu striking back to earn a point on the road and Jordan Thewlis’ penalty saw the Lions repeat the result from earlier in the campaign.

In the 2023/24 season Ilkeston edged out Andy Welsh’s Lions side 2-1 with Tom Cursons netting either side of a Jameel Ible goal to take all three points.

In the first clash Reece Kendall scored an own goal 24 minutes in before Aiden Walker, Liam Tongue, Tom Denton and Tom Pratt got on the scoresheet without reply to earn an impressive win at the New Manor Ground.

Listen and Watch Live

If you cannot make it to the game, live audio commentary can be found via the Mixlr app or on guiseleyradio.mixlr.com at approximately 2:50pm on Saturday.

The Northern Premier League announced a new partnership with Clubber TV this week and the first match to be shown on the platform this season is our clash with Ilkeston on Saturday.

You can purchase weekly, monthly or annual passes here.

Tickets

Tickets will be available to purchase from our turnstiles on Saturday priced at:

• Adults: £13
• Concessions (Over 66s/Students/Registered Disabled): £9
• 11-18 Year-Olds: £5
• Accompanied Under-11s: £1

Payment can be made via cash at all our turnstiles and card at turnstiles 1 & 2. ‘The Lions’ magazine will be on sale for £3 from sellers near each turnstile and our Club Shop.

It is cash payments only inside the ground for magazines and 50/50 cash draw tickets. Food and drink from The Lions’ Diner can be paid for by cash or card and the clubhouse accepts and prefers payment by card.