Ilkley Reserves 4, Sherwood 1

Having been pipped to the league title last year by Sherwood in a last game decider the Guyson sponsored Ilkley Reserves were keen to avenge their disappointment by taking the trophy from their close rivals in another winner takes all deciding match.

With a second-half performance during which Ilkley produced some of their finest football of the season saw the home side defeat the Harrogate side and claim the Division Two title.

Ilkley made the best possible start to the game when they took the lead after just four minutes. Hey and Smith combined on the left allowing the latter to cross towards who Mynett who turned and shot into the corner from 15 yards.

Following this early setback Sherwood settled the better of the two sides and with their extra player in midfield began to dominate possession. Liam Gray, who has experience playing with Harrogate Railway, was the orchestrator of much of their attacking play and goalkeeper Peter Taylor was forced into an excellent save to keep the scores level.

Despite their difficulty in regaining possession Ilkley looked a threat going forward. Mark Houlston won possession on the left and surged forward before crossing into the Sherwood penalty area where both Mynett and Horne nearly connected to double Ilkley's lead.

Sherwood continued to dominate play during the first-half as Ilkley struggled to come to terms with their five-man midfield. However, for all their pressure Sherwood only created one further scoring opportunity which goalkeeper Peter Taylor saved again. Ilkley were effective in their defending as the back four of Dixon, McTigue, Ashton and Mark Houlston were sharp in their work against their opponents.

As the half drew to a close Ilkley nearly doubled their lead when another move down the left-hand side culminated in a free-kick. Hey's cross was met by Horne who was unable to direct his header on target. At half-time Ilkley were keen to regain the impetus in midfield.

At the start of the second-half another early goal threatened to dent Ilkley's hopes of victory. A bizarre free-kick was awarded in midfield in Sherwood's favour and the resulting ball caught the Ilkley defence hesitating for the only occasion on the day which allowed Black to head home and level the scores.

Following their goal Sherwood were unable to dominate as they had done in the first period and consequently Keith and Houlston in Ilkley's midfield were able to dictate play to good effect.

Within ten minutes Ilkley regained their lead when a good move on the right found its way to Smith via Mynett allowing the Ilkley striker to head in.

With the confidence back in their play Ilkley suddenly found themselves playing irrepressibly.

Full-backs Ashton and McTigue became an effective outlet allowing wingers Horne and Hey to attack on the flanks. A quick succession of chances fell to Horne, Mynett, Smith and Keith but none were able to beat the Sherwood 'keeper. Stewart replaced the unfortunate Horne and his fresh legs were able to push Sherwood back further.

For all their efforts Sherwood couldn't break Ilkley down and Peter Taylor didn't have a save to make in the second-half as Dixon and Houlston frustrated Sherwood's forwards with magnificent performances.

With 20 minutes remaining Ilkley added a third and decisive goal. Peter Taylor's long clearance downfield was controlled immaculately by Smith who tormented his marker before playing in Mynett who scored his second of the game by sending the 'keeper the wrong way from 18 yards.

Rishworth's introduction to Ilkley's midfield gave Ilkley more defensive cover.

In the final minutes of the game Ilkley frustrated their opponents by spending the entire time in the Sherwood half.

They had a number of chances to add to their lead before the fourth goal was added when a long back pass to the 'keeper took an unfortunate bounce on the uneven surface and nestled in the net.

Martin Taylor replaced the outstanding Mynett for the last ten minutes, as Ilkley looked shore up their win. The end of the game passed without any scares as Ilkley kept the ball in their opponents' half.

Ilkley were deserved winners and champions as they made more chances and converted them. For all their first-half superiority Sherwood were unable to unlock Ilkley's defence and the performances of Dixon, Taylor and Mark Houlston against some good players were excellent.

Chris Mynett and Damian Smith demonstrated what an effective partnership they are. However, the story of Ilkley's success this season wasn't solely down to the 14 players involved on Saturday.

Throughout the season many players like Turnbull, Merritt, David Taylor, Beaumont and Morgan have all played invaluable roles in Ilkley's success both in matches and in training as Ilkley have developed a big and strong reserve team squad.

Ilkley Reserves 2, Harold Styans 0

The Guyson-sponsored Ilkley Reserves returned to league action following their success in the Cup Final against Harold Styans Reserves, a team Ilkley had thrashed 13-1 earlier in the season.

Far from being a push over Styans fielded a markedly different side and proved to be difficult opposition as Ilkley were heading for the double.

On a bobbly surface the first-half was an even contest. Ilkley had a number of chances to score but couldn't take them whilst the lively movement of the Styans forwards kept Ilkley's defenders on their toes.

After the break Ilkley dominated and Styans found it hard to get out of their half during the second period. Chances came and went and a penalty was missed, as it looked like Ilkley might be frustrated in their search for a winning goal.

However, with ten minutes remaining Dixon delivered a fine free-kick to the far post which Horne met on the volley and cracked the ball home from a tight angle.

Minutes later Jon Keith, on as a substitute converted an indirect free-kick inside the box to seal the result and give Ilkley a vital three points in their quest to win the league.