Beckwithshaw 1,Ilkley AFC 2

With their regular pitch out of commission for maintenance work to be carried out this season Beckwithshaw are playing their home games on the smaller pitches on the Stray in Harrogate.

As has been the case in the past, such conditions are not conducive to the fluid, passing football that the Booths sponsored Ilkley AFC seek to play and consequently this contest was a scrappy affair where physical exertion and commitment were more in evidence than style and flair.

Having played well in the 3-0 victory over Boroughbridge the previous week, Ilkley were keen to build on the positives from that performance.

However, once underway, Ilkley were slow to start and failed to find any of their passing rhythm in the opening ten minutes as Beckwithshaw were quicker to the ball and had more of the possession.

The home side were limited in their use of the ball though and Quaife and Bloom were solid in defence limiting Beckwithshaw to a couple of tame shots at goalkeeper Bainbridge.

Ilkley soon found their stride and Hannaford and Knox in the middle of the field came more into the play. On 20 minutes Hannaford was unfortunate not to open the scoring when he was played in by Richardson before turning and beating his marker for pace. Racing through on goal the vagaries of the pitch intervened and sent Hannaford sprawling when a goal seemed certain.

Horne created his own opportunity when his persistence forced Beckwithshaw's left-back into an error but he pushed his shot narrowly wide.

As half-time approached it seemed a question of when Ilkley would break the dead -lock not if. Beckwithshaw had two lively, skillful players up front who were effectively shackled by Ilkley's back four, but on occasion threatened to score when Ilkley momentarily lost concentration and didn't challenge properly. Any chances were comfortably dealt with by Bainbridge who wasn't seriously tested during the first period.

At the break Ilkley were reminded of the need to pass the ball quickly on the small pitch as their opponents were slow on the turn.

After half-time Ilkley again took time to settle.

Gradually they improved and full backs Braithwaite and Richardson saw more possession allowing Metcalfe up front to work effectively as a platform for Ilkley's raids.

Horne in particular was able to use his pace to get beyond his marker but his final ball was met by Beckwithshaw's solid defending.

On the hour Ilkley were rewarded. Braithwaite's free- kick was only half cleared as far as Barrow who beat one player before shooting. On its way the ball took a deflection, which sent the ball looping over McKenzie and into the Beckwithshaw goal.

Within ten minutes Beckwithshaw were back on level terms when Ilkley failed to apply pressure in midfield allowing the ball to be played in behind Bloom who in his attempts to get to the ball first conceded a penalty.

Croslier converted the resulting spot kick to level things up. The introduction of McTigue gave Ilkley more balance and a better outlet on the flank as Barrow was pushed through the middle.

Soon after the switch paid off as Knox found Barrow whose pace proved too much for Walls in the Beckwithshaw defence. Barrow strode through before finishing well to seal the win for Ilkley.

l On Saturday Ilkley face Harold Styans at home, kick- off 2.15p.m. Players meet at 1.15p.m.