Ilkley Reserves win the battle between the top two

This Harrogate League Division Two match between the top two teams saw Guyson sponsored Ilkley Reserves put in a masterful display and the scoreline does not reflect the manner which they put their title rivals to the sword.

From the first kick Sherwood were pushed back and found the running and power of Horne difficult to contain falling behind as early as the second minute to a Smith goal from Hey's inswinging corner.

The dose was repeated ten minutes later following further sustained Ilkley pressure when Horne converted another Hey corner. Sherwood gradually clawed their way back into the game through the prompting of Kitching and McCarthy but the defence of Ashton, Taylor, Beaumont and Houlston held firm snuffing out most of the danger and anything getting past them was competently dealt with by Peter Taylor in the Ilkley goal.

Good passing and movement by the all the Ilkley players increasingly put the Sherwood defence on the back foot and a three man move involving Houlston, Hey and Smith carved out the third goal for Mynett to head unchallenged into the home team's net.

On the stoke of half-time Sherwood got back into the game when the Ilkley defence and goalkeeper failed to clear a corner and Robinson capitalised on the mistake driving the ball home.

The three goal advantage was restored mid way through the second-half by Rishworth who pounced on a Sherwood defensive error following good approach work by Keith, the dangerous Hey and Smith.

The introduction of Brad Houlston, McTigue and Tod provided fresh legs to help quell the increasing threat provided by the tireless Sherwood team as they strove to retrieve the situation.

Their pressure finally paid off as Storey set up a grandstand finish by carving through the Ilkley defence and drilling the ball past Taylor.

Where the referee found six extra minutes from was a mystery and with Sherwood pressing forward for another goal it was all hand to the pumps to keep them out.

The pressure was finally relieved when Tod was released by Mynett to finish cleanly after rounding the 'keeper.

This was another game when a number of chances went begging and the game could have been won much earlier however this was easily the most impressive performance of the season from a young Ilkley side.

Thanks must be given to referee Dave Harewood who carried on officiating despite suffering from a suspected broken nose sustained when hit in the face by a ball in the first- half.

l Ilkley Reserves are without a fixture this coming Saturday.