Ilkley AFC 6 Otley Town Reserves 3

A convincing victory for the Booth's sponsored Ilkley AFC and revenge for an early season defeat by Wharfedale rivals Otley Town. Yet once again, Ilkley fell a goal behind in the first ten minutes before overpowering their opponents to take a 4-1 half-time lead.

Casual defending and good fortune culminated in Papworth's cross-cum-shot sailing beyond Muttick into the far top corner of Ilkley's net after eight minutes of play to give Otley the lead.

Hesitation between Muttick and Trimnell almost cost Ilkley another goal before the home players decided to move up a gear. Thereafter, Bradley in the Otley goal performed heroics as the home side began to find some fluency and he made stunning saves from two headers from Hall, before being rescued by a goal-line clearance from Gilmartin after being beaten by Hogg's shot.

With Tweddle and Wilson combining well on the Ilkley right, and Giles setting a captain's example in midfield, it seemed only a matter of time before Ilkley scored. Staunch defending by Otley kept the home side at bay until the 30th minute when Richardson's corner was headed into the net majestically by Hoyle.

This opened the floodgates as Ilkley caused havoc with some fine passing and movement. Hoyle added a second after 35 minutes when he linked with Hall to race clear and drift round Bradley before sidefooting into an open goal.

Knox produced a carbon-copy third goal five minutes later when he burst through the Otley defence and side-stepped the overworked goalkeeper to push the ball home.

Tweddle then surged past three Otley players and, from his superb cross, Hall almost added a fourth, which eventually arrived courtesy of Trimnell's determined challenge that set Giles drifting beyond the last defender to slide the ball beneath Bradley.

A terrific 20 minute surge by the Ilkley players that destroyed Otley's resolve. This was diminished further when Hoyle completed his hat-trick glancing a header from Richardson's free-kick beyond Bradley.

A welcome return to form for the Ilkley top-scorer but the start of a ten-minute period of casual play by the home side that allowed Otley to score two goals.

Great credit to the visitors for trying to get back in the game by throwing four players forward as Papworth and Wagstaffe slammed in goals from ten yards after the Ilkley defenders failed to clear.

With Bloom eventually marshalling his defenders, Muttick's significant contribution to the second-half was to pick the ball out of his net twice, as stung into action again, Ilkley pressed forward in search of more goals.

Handley thwarted the persistent Hall with a point-blank reaction save, Hoyle's driven cross somehow evaded a packed goal area and Giles saw his shot well held by the Otley 'keeper.

With Otley forsaking the midfield, Knox and Giles continually picked-up the loose ball enabling Hogg and Wilson to raid in wide positions. The sixth Ilkley goal arrived after 75 minutes when Hogg sent Knox running clear and his low cross was flicked past Bradley at the near post by Hoyle.

Taking the opportunity to give Stockdale, Hughes and Horne a run-out, Ilkley continued to mount pressure on a weary Otley defence that was frequently outnumbered.

Outside of the two casual spells in each half, there was some excellent passing and movement from Ilkley players and a greater collective determination to regain possession.

This will be tested to the full on Saturday when Ilkley play hosts to Horsforth St Margaret's in the semi-final of the Wharfedale Challenge Cup (Kick-off 1.30pm at West Holmes, players meet at the Cricket Club at 12.30pm).