Ilkley 3,Tockwith 1

A wonderful and deserved victory for the Booth's sponsored Ilkley FC as the team overcame a determined challenge from Tockwith to win the Harrogate League Challenge Cup at Boroughbridge on Saturday evening.

The game typified Ilkley's season, as yet again opponents were gifted an early goal before Ilkley players fought their way back into the game and eventually romped to victory in extra-time.

As the referee's whistle started the game, the rain came to make a bumpy pitch slippery on top and Tockwith pushed forward with some neat passing and lots of vigour. First

to the ball, Tockwith had Ilkley on the back foot and took the lead in their first attack when Driver got behind the Ilkley defence, and his low cross was tapped in at the far post by Hutchison with Ilkley defenders dreaming.

Having scored the opening goal, Hutchison left the game with a recurrence of an injury but what an impact and what a start for the underdogs from Tockwith.

With the giant Richmond competing well with Ilkley's danger man Hoyle, Ilkley players struggled to maintain possession as their opponents hurtled around the field pressurising and challenging as if their lives depended on it.

Despite this fervour, Ilkley began to gain territorial advantage, and Hoyle and Knox had shots blocked before Tweddle headed over from one Richardson corner and James Wilson almost deflected another past Ord in the Tockwith goal.

The Ilkley side forced seven corners to Tockwith's two in the first-half but clear chances were difficult to fashion for both teams and Ilkley players seemed to be in a rush, always trying to force play in the search for an equaliser.

A half-time reminder of the need for lees haste and more speed plus a couple of tactical amendments, was the hopeful remedy for Ilkley's disappointing first-half display.

The second-half began in much the same vein as the end of the first, with Ilkley pressing forward but finding it difficult to break through a committed and organised defence, and Tockwith looking dangerous on the break. Ilkley goalkeeper Bainbridge was a virtual spectator, fielding occasional long balls or clearing back-passes as his team-mates Giles and Knox gained more possession in midfield from which to spring attacks in wide positions.

Alan Stockdale and James Wilson began to combine well with full-backs Tweddle and Richardson, and delivery to the feet of Rick Wilson and Hoyle kept the pressure on a stretched but resolute Tockwith defence.

A goal was needed to reward the pressure and spur Ilkley players, and it came after 65 minutes when Richardson's in-swinging corner was flicked goal-ward by James Wilson and Simon Tweddle bundled the ball past Ord from close range.

Not the prettiest goal scored by Ilkley this season but a reward for the training ground practices over the winter and a goal that rejuvenated the team.

The Tockwith players sagged in despair having held out for over an hour but it was difficult to see where they would create another goal as Bloom and Trimnell were dominating the Tockwith strikers.

The introduction of Hall and Braithwaite provided fresh legs and allowed Ilkley to pose more problems for a team that was visibly wilting, but the valiant Tockwith team held out to the end of 90 minutes thanks chiefly to a brave save by Ord at the feet of Hoyle and from a Stockdale left-foot drive.

The game was won in the first minute of both periods of extra-time by a player who has been a revelation in Ilkley's attack this season. Passing the ball around from the kick-off, Giles played the ball between the Tockwith full-back and centre-back for Steve Hall to burst through and drill a shot past Ord.

The Tockwith goalkeeper got a hand to the ball but could only watch in despair as it rolled over the goalline.

The same player almost made it three when he headed Bainbridge's long clearance over Ord and

narrowly over the bar as Ilkley dominated possession and territory.

Having run themselves into the ground, several Tockwith players suffered from cramp as Ilkley surged forward, and the start of the second-period of extra-time buried any hopes of a Tockwith revival.

Almost from the kick-off again, Braithwaite threaded a neat pass to Hoyle who played Hall in behind the Tockwith defence and the striker cut across Ord to blast the ball into the net from 15 yards. Game-set-and match as the resistance was broken, and Hoyle and Braithwaite had penalty-area shots blocked for Ilkley, before Hoyle hit the bar with a swerving free-kick.

A little juggling by Bainbridge when collecting a Tockwith corner providing their only glimmer of hope. With ten minutes remaining, Adam Williams who had travelled from his home in the Midlands to be part of the squad replaced James Wilson who had been head butted.

Sadly, nasty and spiteful

players like this seem to avoid penalty from officials or more importantly from the coaches and managers who are responsible for them playing. The sight of long-serving Ilkley captain Richard Giles lifting the Challenge Cup was the best response possible.

Pannal 2

Ilkley 1

In a midweek game, Ilkley AFC were defeated by close rivals Pannal in the semi-final of the Harrogate League Senior Cup after a hard -fought encounter between teams with contrasting styles.

The powerful and big Pannal team were always likely to cause Ilkley problems from set-pieces on a bumpy pitch, and scrambled goals by Kell and O'Halleran following long throws to the near-post cancelled Hoyle's towering header in the first-half.

Ilkley had three late chances to force extra-time but Pannal held on, and despite never creating a chance from open play battled forcefully all game.

A disappointment for Ilkley as this was the first defeat by a Harrogate League team in 2003, especially since both clubs are also competing for the league championship.