Pannal 1

Ilkley AFC 1

The final game of the season for the Booth's sponsored Ilkley AFC and one that epitomised the team's performances since last August.

After a slow start, the team performance improved and if more goals-scoring opportunities had been taken the game would have been won at a canter.

The quality of performance and commitment was higher than the end product, and provides a firm building-block for further improvement next season.

Playing the game against Pannal on a large and firm pitch, Ilkley took the customary ten minutes to get going, during which time, Muttick in goal punched clear from a corner and was alert to long through passes played behind the Ilkley defenders.

The presence of the former Guiseley 'keeper at times throughout the season has been influential on the young defenders in front of him, and Pannal found it difficult to create attacks beyond the big punt forwards.

Overcoming the slow start, Ilkley began to find space in wide positions through full-backs Richardson and Houlston. With Ratcliffe and Braithwaite moving into advance positions, several crosses caused rustic defending by Pannal.

Horne just failed to reach a Houlston cross at the far post, the same player shot wide of the near post when put through by Trimnell's incisive pass.

The breakthrough for Ilkley came after 30 minutes when Richardson's in-swinging free-kick was partially cleared to Ratcliffe just inside the penalty-area and his well-placed right-foot shot was curled into the far corner.

With Sayers and Bloom coping well with the up-and-under approach favoured by Pannal, it was difficult to see how the home-team would find a goal. The true to form, a lapse in concentration and commitment when Horne was incorrectly penalised for being offside, a flimsy and indecisive challenge and a bouncing ball was hooked over Muttick for an equaliser.

The second-half was dominated by Ilkley in terms of territory and possession, and somehow the side contrived to avoid scoring additional goals.

The team's passing and support play all over the field was efficient and matched by endeavour, to the extent that Pannal found it difficult to put two consecutive passes together.

l On Saturday, Ilkley Reserves play a Division Three championship decider against Sherwood at the grammar school fields (3pm).