Ilkley Reserves look to a good end to season

Ilkley Reserves ground out another hard-fought win on Saturday which keeps them in the running for the Division Two title.

An increasingly bobbly pitch made it hard for Ilkley to play their normal crisp passing game.

They made things even harder for themselves by going a goal down when the normally solid Taylor in goal allowed the ball to bounce out of his hands and into the path of a Spa forward who made no mistake.

It often seems to take going a goal down to spur this Ilkley side into action and they then proceeded to dominate the rest of the half.

Dominance rewarded by Hey volleying in Mynett's corner on the half hour.

At half-time manager Chris Campbell emphasised the need for continued high work rate and to avoid complacency and the team began with new zest.

Chris Mynett was felled from behind to give Ilkley a penalty which Smith unfortunately scuffed straight to the 'keeper.

He more than atoned five minutes later, finishing off a superb solo run where he mesmerised the full-back before placing a right foot shot past the 'keeper. His celebrations following this were worth the entrance money alone!

Ilkley added a third shortly afterwards where Rishworth chested in a McTigue cross and the team seemed home and dry. As often happens in these situations, they started coasting and were punished from the penalty spot after Beaumont was adjudged to have felled the Spa forward.

Despite all three subs coming on and giving spirited performances, Ilkley found themselves under siege in the last ten minutes.

Taylor and his back four had their work cut out to keep the lead intact and were grateful for the final whistle.

The Reserves now have two home league games left as well as the cup final so an exciting end to the season is guaranteed.