THERE were two taxing away games in three days for the Booth's sponsored Ilkley AFC who remain unbeaten in the long quest to retain the Harrogate Premier League title.

On Thursday, Ilkley faced an Otley Town team boosted by the presence of several first team players and had the better of a 1-1 draw, followed on Saturday with a 3-1 win at Harold Styans despite having five regular first team players unavailable

Otley Town Res 1, Ilkley AFC 1

In previous seasons Ilkley have found it difficult to gain a points at Otley in mid-week evening games but were off to a flier when Hannaford scored within the first five minutes.

Having seized the initiative from the kick-off, Ilkley had already forced two corners when a superb through ball by Simon Tweddle sliced Otley's defence in half and set Hannaford running clear to confidently place the ball across Bentley into the far corner.

For the next 20 minutes it was all Ilkley as Otley struggled to maintain possession. Tweddle might have doubled the score when good combination play between Hey and Mynett sent him racing clear but his side-footed shot lacked the power to beat Bentley.

At the other end, Bainbridge was largely untroubled though handled well from a low shot by Wolfenden before he was stunned by the equaliser.

From an innocuous position just beyond the centre-circle, Vosper pushed the ball forward before blasting the ball goalward and into the top-corner from 40 yards. A shock for both teams and one that enabled Otley to gain more of the ball as Ilkley tried too hard to force another goal, giving the ball away in attempts to play the 'killer ball'.

After half-time the game reverted to the pattern of the first-half with Ilkley pushing forwards with more regularity and having better possession. Hannaford twice shot wide from inside the penalty area, Mynett and Quaife had shots blocked as Ilkley forced several corners.

However, Otley broke with more purpose and the introduction of Wagstaff increased the attacking threat. Bainbridge stood up well to block a run into the penalty area by the Otley centre-forward before collecting a corner with sound handling.

An injury to Tweddle allowed Bloom to return to partner Potts in defence, which stood firm against Otley's breaks forward.

With a draw looking inevitable and both side probably content with the result, Ilkley could have snatched the winner when Mynett's superb deep cross reached an unmarked Knox five yards from goal but Bentley managed to get in the way of the close-range header and the ball was scrambled clear. Both sides should take credit for a competitive and high tempo game with plenty of good passing and movement on a surface freshened by light rain.

Harold Styans 1, Ilkley AFC 3

A result that was better than the performance by a depleted Ilkley side against battling opponents. Without Quaife, Knox, Hoyle, Tweddle and Rowlins, Ilkley started very brightly with Hogg a constant source of trouble for Styans defence.

On his return from injury, the young player twice drilled low shots past the far post after breaking clear before opening the scoring after 20 minutes when he combined with Hey to drive the ball across Lawrence and inside the far post. Thereafter, Ilkley could have quadrupled the score but for the excellent goalkeeping of Lawrence.

He deflected another Hogg close range shot wide before a stunning reaction save thwarted Mynett's near post flick. Hannaford, Wilson and McTigue all had shots blocked, and crosses and corners managed to evade Ilkley players as Styans struggled to stem the tide. Bainbridge in the Ilkley goal was a spectator, occasionally fielding long clearances.

However a one-goal lead is always precarious and as the game progressed Ilkley's play became over-elaborate in the search for another goal. This allowed Styans to gather momentum and for a 20 minute period at the beginning of the second-half, Ilkley were pressurised into giving the ball way too easily by a determined home side.

With Hogg tiring and Wilson in midfield finding his opponents Bennett and Hebden winning possession, Styans pushed to break through an Ilkley defence that occasionally lost its shape and composure. The almost inevitable equaliser came in the 70th minute after a series of poor Ilkley challenges allowed Bennett to cross and the ball squeezed through to the far post where Newell swept it past Bainbridge.

These introduction of Horne and Labbett and the shock of the scoreline galvanised Ilkley into a more determined response and two goals in quick succession sealed the result. Fortune favoured Ilkley when from Hey's low cross Hogg's flick was deflected past Lawrence but there was no need for luck five minutes later when McTigue and Horne combined to drive the ball across goal for Hey to tap-in at the far post. Horne and Hogg had further chances to add to the score as Styans capitulated after brave resistance.

A deserved victory after the overwhelming number of chances created by Ilkley but a reminder that other teams might only need one to force a result.

l On Saturday, Ilkley entertain the unbeaten Spa Athletic (kick-off 3pm) and players should meet at 2pm at the Grammar School field.