Clifford and Bramham 1, Ilkley Reserves 2

For the second week in succession Ilkley Reserves encountered another promotion chasing team in the guise of Clifford and Bramham who had proved difficult opposition earlier in the season.

On a difficult, sloping playing surface Ilkley extended their unbeaten run to 12 games with a performance that was effective rather than pretty.

Having been warned of the need to begin games properly and compete instantly, Ilkley made the worst imaginable start when hesitant defending allowed the more determined Clifford player to latch onto a swirling through ball and open the scoring with barely a minute on the clock.

Stunned into action Ilkley started to play and Aston and Stewart proved to be an effective outlet early on.

Taylor and Beaumont at the heart of the defence recovered from the early set back and began to set the pace of Ilkley's play once Clifford's had been broken up.

The remainder of the first-half saw Ilkley apply a great deal of pressure on the Clifford goal. Campbell on the left should have equalised with a header at the far post but his effort lacked power.

Brad Houlston latched onto a half-cleared corner and thumped his shot against the bar whilst both Mynett and Smith both had efforts saved.

Eventually Ilkley drew level when a quick throw in by McTigue on the left was helped on by Smith to Mynett who deftly beat two defenders before finishing at the front post.

Within two minutes Ilkley scored what transpired to be the winner. Another good move on the left involving Houlston Campbell and McTigue found Smith whose early shot was too powerful for the Clifford 'keeper.

It now looked like Clifford might capitulate as Ilkley had all the ball and created plenty of chances with it.

McTigue and Smith were both felled inside the penalty area yet both penalty appeals were turned down.

Campbell chipped goalwards from 20 yards only for the scrambling 'keeper to scramble the ball away and Smith, Mynett, Stewart and Ashton all had efforts saved.

At half-time Ilkley were reminded of the need to start the second- half properly.

This was again forgotten as in the first minute Clifford's winger strode past three weak tackles before firing wide.

During the second-half Ilkley saw how difficult the slope on the pitch was to deal with.

Consequently Clifford saw a lot of possession as Ilkley had done during the first period.

Yet for all their pressure Clifford were unable to create any clear cut scoring opportunities and Peter Taylor in goal was left to field a series of weak shots from distance.

Ilkley were forced to shuffle their players around after Beaumont was forced off with a foot injury and in the last half hour Houlston and Campbell demonstrated their flexibility at playing in different positions.

Tod came on in attack and Martin Taylor and John Turnbull gave much needed fresh legs to the midfield as players tired on the heavy surface.

This wasn't as comfortable as Ilkley would have liked but was ultimately a job well done in securing the three points in difficult conditions.

Ashton had another good game at right back and linked up well with Stewart down the right. Houlston and Rishworth marshaled the middle of the field well and Mynett looked skillful in attack.

l On Saturday Ilkley play Tockwith Reserves at home. Kick off at 2pm.