Ilkley Blues U-9s 2

Old Modernians U-9s 1

In the two matches before Christmas the Blues delivered a convincing victory over Collingham (where defender Matty Webb scored his first league goal) and a comprehensive 7-0 thrashing of Horsforth, finishing the year unbeaten for the current season.

On Sunday Ilkley started the 2003 campaign against Old Modernians and were taken all the way in a thoroughly entertaining game of football.

Despite the mid-winter break, Ilkley started very sharply and looked dangerous right from the kick-off. Within minutes the Blues took a typically opportunistic lead when Fred Atkinson intercepted a poor goal kick and slotted the ball right back past the 'keeper with deadly accuracy.

More good football followed and Ilkley were well worth their second goal when Oliver Moulton supplied a clinical finish to a great through ball from Roam Hamilton.

However, the Old Modernian youngsters refused to drop their heads and were unlucky not to peg a goal back before the interval, goalkeeper William Spivey forcing the error in a one-on-one after all the hard work had been done.

The second-half saw a really competitive game of football with both teams exerting a strong physical presence.

The Blues'eagerness to push forward often made them vulnerable to the counter-attack and on several occasions Cameron Lawson and Matty Webb were called upon to make vital tackles as the last man in defence.

The whole team had to dig in hard as Modernians seemed to grow in confidence as the game wore on.

In particular, William Driver and George Gamble worked tirelessly, popping up all over the pitch, in both a defensive and attacking capacity, and were well supported by Sam Akroyd.

With five minutes to go Modernians scored from a devastating long range strike which left 'keeper Will Spivey helpless, setting up an extremely tense finale.

The test of nerve was finally won by Ilkley who held strong despite a few anxious moments, with William Driver coming tantalisingly close to scoring at the death. Man-of-the-Match was awarded to Cameron Lawson.