Ilkley grind out a win at Great Preston

Ilkley AFC 3

Ilkley ground out a result against Great Preston on a day where the conditions were as much an obstacle as the opposition. A harsh wind was prevalent throughout the game, the effects of which were exaggerated by the end-to-end slope on the pitch.

Ilkley attacked up the hill and against the wind in the first-half but seemed unfazed as they created countless chances.

The home team's tactic of deploying an off-side trap was proving rather unsuccessful as through balls were held up in the breeze and Ilkley's runs from midfield were invariably well-timed.

Great Preston struggled to cope with the pace of most of the Ilkley attacks, especially in the opening 25 minutes, with Taylor and Smith posing a constant threat on the flanks.

The home team were restricted to long balls forward from defence and their midfielders were becoming increasingly frustrated by the efforts of Knox and Houlston who denied them any time on the ball.

The opening goal came after 15 minutes. Ilkley broke forward with a swift counter-attack and Smith received the ball in acres of space in midfield.

His pass in behind the ageing home defence was well anticipated by the goalkeeper but his clearance was charged down by Stockdale.

The ball broke kindly to Joe Horne who passed it into the open net from 20 yards.

For the next ten minutes, Great Preston were all at sea and couldn't cope with Horne's movement up front.

His neat turn on the half-way line allowed him plenty of room to run up the left wing.

As he approached area he played a one-two with Stockdale and fired in a great low cross for Houlston, who had broken forward from midfield, but couldn't direct the shot goal-ward at full stretch.

In the following few attacks, Horne had a couple of opportunities to add to his tally as he raced in on goal but on both occasions he was foiled by the 'keeper.

Ilkley continued to press but were guilty of squandering good opportunities, often by choosing the wrong option or playing a loose pass at the vital moment.

The home team were lucky still to be in the game approaching half-time and were even more fortunate when they grabbed an equaliser.

Ilkley failed to fully clear their lines and, as the ball was played back towards the edge of the area, a Great Preston midfielder stuck a toe out and was rewarded as his speculative effort looped over Taylor with the help of the wind.

Ilkley were disappointed to only be level at half-time but it was evident that they expected the result to take care of itself in the second-half, rather than make it happen through hard work.

This meant as the game progressed and the score remained at 1-1, Ilkley began to get frustrated and their attacks were hurried and formulaic.

As time seemed to be running out, Ilkley made changes to try and provide a fresh impetus going forward.

Jamie Barrow replaced Alan Stockdale and Martin Taylor made way for young Ben Convey.

More chances went begging but just as it seemed to be two points dropped for the visitors, Andy Bloom made a rare run forward from the back.

He received the ball on the left corner of the area and fired in a low shot.

The 'keeper was slightly unsighted as it passed through the bodies crowding the area and the ball found its way into the far corner.

Ilkley were visibly relieved and Great Preston were dejected as their hard work was to prove fruitless.

Ilkley added the final touches to the scoreline with less than two minutes remaining.

Barrow found space in the area at the far post and as he cut inside the last defender, Houlston was on hand to apply the finish from close range.

Despite leaving it late, it was a fully deserved win for Ilkley, who will have to be at the top of their game this weekend as they face Street Work Soccer at West Holmes Playing Field in a West Yorkshire League Division Two top-of-the-table encounter.

l All support will be more than welcome for a 2.30pm kick-off, players to meet at 1.30pm.