Ilkley Under-17s slump to a second successive defeat

Pannal Sports 3

DESPITE being back to full strength, Ilkley Under-17s slumped to their second successive home defeat in a match against a well-organised and determined opposition in Pannal Sports.

In a game where nothing seemed to go right for the home side, the visitors took control with a goal on 11 minutes and never looked back. James Wilson, who had seconds earlier cleared off the line, was adjudged to have pushed in the penalty area. Ilkley 'keeper Peter Healey got his fingers to the resulting spot kick but its power took it beyond him.

Ilkley pushed hard but there was no way through Pannal's resolute defending. Tom Rennolds' through ball to Rick Hutchinson had just too much on it for the Ilkley striker to connect.

Hutchinson turned provider with a neat flick minutes later to Bruce Hogg but his effort was cleared. Ilkley's best chance fell to skipper Tom Ross-Jones.

Hogg won a free-kick just inside the Pannal half and floated a good ball in only to see it cleared to Ross-Jones who volleyed from outside the area. That shot was cleared off the line and Rennolds put the resulting half chance wide.

Danny Smith also had a powerful goalbound shot blocked. At the other end Ben Jones and Ross Kennedy continued their effective partnership at the heart of the Ilkley defence, twice failing the pacey Pannal attack by clearing well to relieve the pressure. Within a minute of the re-start, Pannal surged forward for a second goal.

Ilkley re-shuffled the pack, bringing on Matt Holmes for Peter Hibbert but there was still no way through.

David Tod saw his shot cleared off the line and a succession of Ilkley corners could not make any impression on the score.

But on 70 minutes Ilkley grabbed a goal back. Kennedy won the ball at the back and pushed it through to Wilson who picked his spot and sent a swerving shot high into the right-hand corner.

Five minutes later Jones, who had just been booked for a second over-enthusiastic challenge, did the same for Tod but his effort was deflected out of danger.

Ilkley again threw themselves at Pannal for an equaliser but it was the visitors who helped themselves to a third goal from a corner leaving Ilkley's last home game of the season to finish on a disappointing note.