Match Preview by Leon Higgins
The Nash will look to build on a good run of league form by taking a break to cup action. Last Saturday’s loss to Scarborough ended a run of three games unbeaten at home.
Curzon’s recent FA Trophy record has seen an exit in the third round in three of the last 5 seasons, with a 4-1 loss to Fylde in 2020-21 and an agonising penalty defeat last season to Macclesfield, the only second round exits during that time.
Ilkeston play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division and currently sit 10th in the league table after 16 games. In The Robins last five games they have won three, drawn one and lost one against Ashton United last time out at the New Manor Ground. Wins in the league have come both away at Guiseley and Stockton while a 3-1 FA Trophy first round victory came against St Ives. The draw came against Warrington Rylands.
Since founding in 2017 after Ilkeston FC folded, this is the furthest The Robins have ever been in the FA Trophy. They have also competed in the FA Vase in years gone by with a best run coming in the 2018-19 season when they reached the 3rd round.
Head to Head:
This is only the second competitive meeting between the two sides, the first meeting between the pair came in the FA Trophy in 2007, with Ilkeston being named the winners following a 3-1 win at the Tameside Stadium.
The other meetings have come when both teams competed in the EVO-STIK devision – you can read about our previous encounters here
Management Preview:
Head Coach Mark Bradshaw gave his thoughts ahead of Saturday’s game:
It’s the first week that we haven’t had a Tuesday games for a while, so it allows a few to recover that little bit longer, we’ve just got to get things right, there’s the bench – and quite a few lads coming back from injury, Chris Stoke was on the bench today, Jack Stafford is playing for the Reserves so he’s also close to being back.
We can look at Ilkeston and what they do and how they do it, but more importantly it’s about getting ourselves right, it’s shown today (Scarborough) if you’re not right then it doesn’t matter who you play, you’re going to cause yourselves problems and help the opposition and we don’t want to be doing that.
Ilkeston Town:
TICKETS: Prices for the FA Trophy have been reduced: £10 Adults, £6 Concessions, £2 U16s and U11s FREE
VENUE: The New Manor Ground, Awsworth Rd, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 8JF
SURFACE: – Artificial
Match Information:
Matchday: Everything you need to know
Media: Listen live
