Ilkley Reserves 7, Killinghall Nomads 6

A pulsating 13 goal thriller saw the Guyson sponsored Ilkley Reserves snatch victory from the jaws of defeat after they had led 4-1 after only 12 minutes before trailing 6-5 with only ten minutes remaining.

Ilkley were bolstered by the inclusion of Bloom, Knox, Richardson, Houlston and Mynett who all sought match fitness but handed the visitors the best possible start and the lead in the second minute when Carruthers' tame shot slipped through Tankard's grasp and into the net.

Minutes later a drastic turn of events occurred as first of all Smith capitalised on a defensive error to equalise before Mynett ran onto another mix up to deftly lob the 'keeper from 20 yards and give Ilkley the lead.

More was to come when Mynett notched his second and a fourth goal was added when Houlston was tripped in the penalty area allowing Smith to convert the resulting spot kick.

With not even a quarter of an hour played the game had already had five goals and Ilkley should have gone on to put more past their opponents and complete the rout but complacency and renewed urgency from Killinghall ensured that more goals followed.

Ilkley sat off their opponents and applied no pressure to them in any areas of the field allowing them to receive the ball, turn and pass virtually without challenge on many occasions.

This caused all manner of problems as the pace and direct running of Carruthers behind Ilkley's defenders was poorly marked.

Consequently, Killinghall got themselves back in the game with two goals late on in the half from Outhwaite and Carruthers and Ilkley found themselves on the back foot at the interval having enjoyed a three goal cushion at one point.

At the break Ilkley were reminded of the need to get tight to their opponents, to follow their runners and to try and dictate the tempo of play with quick decisive passing to feet.

However, buoyed by their first period revival, Killinghall came out the sharper and brighter side and within ten minutes of the re-start were level when a sloppy clearance and touch in midfield were seized upon and moments later 'keeper Tankard was beaten again.

Worse was to follow as Killinghall took the lead on the hour mark when a seemingly harmless ball into Ilkley's six yard box was missed allowing the simplest of tap ins at the far post for Killinghall to take the lead again.

Credit must go to Ilkley's players and their spirit as they finally rallied and were spurred on by the energy of McTigue on the left and Knox and Rishworth in midfield. As Killinghall tired full backs Stone and Houlston began to see more of the ball giving Ilkley an important edge.

Ilkley had good chances to equalise through Knox and Mynett before the latter completed his hat-trick following good play on the left by Stone which allowed McTigue to cross for Mynett to head powerfully home from twelve yards. Once back in the game Ilkley allowed their opponents to lead again when another poor clearance was picked up and finished well from 20 yards.

Ilkley were forced to fight back again and did so when Smith's well delivered corner from the right led to a melee in the six yard box in which Bloom had two efforts blocked on the line before Mynett cracked in his fourth goal of the contest.

With five minutes remaining the win was sealed when substitute Taylor provided an excellent cross from the right which Mynett touched on and Sharpe deflected in to seal the victory.

An exciting encounter for the neutral but one which left Ilkley wondering how many uncharacteristic mistakes they would make as the game wore on.

Many of the players had played very little together before and this showed in the staccato nature of the passing and the lack of communication and decision-making when defending.

l On Saturday Ilkley first team face Boroughbridge at home (kick off 2.30pm) whilst the Reserves are away at Spa Athletic.