Home team Shots on target 11

Away team Shots on target 7

Home team Shots off target 8

Away team Shots off target 5

Home team Goalkeeper saves 5

Away team Goalkeeper saves 10

Home team Corner kicks 8

Away team Corner kicks 3

Home team Fouls 16

Away team Fouls 22

Home team Substitutions 2

Away team Substitutions 3

Home team Player offsides 1

Away team Player offsides 2

In a closely contested Northern Premier Division match between Matlock Town and Ilkeston FC on 01 April 2024, it was Ilkeston FC that emerged with a narrow 2-1 victory, against the run of play. The statistical data reveals a match full of contrast, with both sides employing markedly different strategies.

Matlock Town was clearly the aggressor in the match, dominating possession and offensive plays. This is reflected in their shots taken, with 19 in total (11 on target and 8 off target), having a considerably higher figure than Ilkeston's 12 (7 on target and 5 off target). The pressure they put on Ilkeston FC is evident in the 8 corner kicks they earned, compared to only 3 from their opponents.

However, this high-risk, offensive play by Matlock Town was met by a resilient Ilkeston FC defense and an outstanding performance from their goalkeeper - making a total of 10 saves in comparison to Matlock's 5. Ilkeston FC's defensive solidity evidently won them the match.

On a disciplinary level, the match was a rough one, especially on Ilkeston's side who committed more fouls (22 compared to Matlock's 16), this though did not flow into the card counts with neither team receiving a yellow or red card, showing disciplined and tactical defiance from both the sides. It's evident that the tight officiating helped to curb the overall number of serious infractions, despite the high foul counts.

In terms of positioning, Ilkeston FC managed to exploit offside traps better than their opponent. They drew Matlock Town offside once while they themselves were caught out twice, marginally.

The utilization of squad depth was also a deciding factor, with both teams making substitutions. Ilkeston FC used all their substitutions which gave them an edge given their more strenuous defensive efforts during the match. It may have provided them an extra burst of energy contributing to their narrow victory.

Interestingly, despite Matlock Town's dominance in possession and offensive moves, Ilkeston FC clinched the match. This reminds us of the unpredictable nature of football, where the dominant team on paper doesn't always take home the points. The ability to convert chances into goals, combined with a committed defensive performance, clearly paid off for Ilkeston FC in this encounter.

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