Clifford & Bramham 1, Ilkley Reserves 1

As Ilkley rushed back from Clifford to catch the start of the England-Turkey game, they had the time to reflect on how they had not managed to win this game after almost complete domination.

It was certainly a case of two points lost! Ilkley made a number of changes from the previous week but were into their stride from the start pressing the home side into constantly clearing their lines.

Nick Linley and Paul Rishworth took control of the midfield while Smith, Gilks, Davey and Gardner all looked dangerous in attack.

It was against the run of play that Clifford took the lead, a harmless looking ball into the box took an unfortunate bounce over keeper Tankard leaving the home striker an easy tap in.

Fortunately for Ilkley, they were able to reply almost immediately as Linley placed a smart left foot shot past the keeper on the half hour.

For the rest of the game Ilkley laid siege to the Clifford goal, having two goals disallowed, striking the post and conspiring to miss a host of other chances. Full-backs Nick Stone and the impressive Chris Normington joined up whenever possible as Ilkley were rarely threatened, with centre-backs Beaumont and McTigue largely spectators.

The only way Clifford were going to get a goal was through a mistake and a McTigue slip almost let them in with five minutes to go only for Tankard to atone for his earlier error and make an excellent block.

Sharpe, Wilson and Mynett were introduced in the closing stages of the game and all looked lively, causing the home side even more difficulties.

A good sign at the final whistle was the complete disappointment across the Ilkley players faces at failing to have won this game.

The level of performance against a side sitting high up in the league and the fact that more players are returning over the next few weeks give the team every chance of doing well as they go into the Autumn months.