Ilkley 0

Burley Trojans 0

There was nothing to separate local rivals Ilkley and Burley Trojans as they played out a goalless draw in difficult conditions on Saturday.

A strong wind and a bobbly pitch did not make for a classic encounter but credit is due to both sides who tried hard to play passing football although ultimately it was the defences who came out on top.

The point extends Trojans' lead at the top of the table due to Beckwithshaw's unexpected slip up at home to Pannal Sports however they, Pool, Otley Town Reserves and Boroughbridge Reserves all have games in hand to overhaul the Burley side who have seen their title challenge fade in recent weeks.

The game got off to a controversial start with the visitors being denied a clear penalty in their first attack. Phil Constantine found space on the right and when he fed winger Jonny Lofthouse, his goalbound effort was handled on the line by right-back Anthony Beaumont. Referee Mr Sacre, who had a good game otherwise, waved play on much to the disgust of the Trojans' players and supporters.

Chances were at a premium and Ilkley midfielder Dale Hoyle tried to take advantage of the wind with a 25 yard effort which flew wide and then the same player headed wide from a Graham Richardson corner.

In reply Matt Hawnt glances a header wide from Chris Connolly's measured cross and Constantine's twisting header was easily gathered by Nigel Muttick.

Hoyle forced Chris Hargreaves into action just before the interval when his low shot was well saved by the Trojans 'keeper at the foot of his post.

The game opened up after the break and Hoyle again combined with Richardson to shoot wide. A feature of the game was the midfield duel between Hoyle and Trojans skipper Nick Quaife. There was no quarter asked or given and it was honours even between the two best players on the pitch.

Jono Hughes, revelling against his former club, came within a whisker of getting his head to Connolly's far post cross and when Constantine managed to spring the offside trap the ball took a wicked bobble as he shaped to shoot, sending his effort over Muttick's bar.

Trojans were enjoying the better of things with the wind at their backs and Constantine missed Trojans best chance when his superb control and turn from Ian McKain's pass left him in the clear but he managed to drag his shot just wide with only Muttick to beat.

Alan Stockdale could have done better with a header for the home side and the same player was denied the breakthrough with five minutes remaining when Hargreaves brilliantly turned his low drive behind .

Hughes headed over and Hawnt's rasping drive was too hot for Muttick to hold as Trojans went all out for the win to keep their faint title hopes alive.

With the game deep into injury time substitute Iain Gibbons thought he had won it for Trojans when he wriggled free to send in a low drive which sneaked through Muttick's grasp. The 'keeper was glad to grab the ball at the second attempt.

Burley Trojans (away to Spa Athletic, kick off 3.00pm. Players meet at the Cricket Club at 1.30pm): C Hargreaves, I McKain, P Chapman, J Hughes, S Dibb, K Hanogue, J Lofthouse, M Hawnt, C Connolly, N Quaife, P Constantine. Subs: C Lockwood, G Goodison, G Dyson.

Trojans Reserves 6

Ripon Red Arrows 1

The Leeson's sponsored Trojans Reserves made a spectacular return to winning ways when they hit struggling Red Arrows for six to complete a league double.

Teenage striker Gareth Goodison led the way with a hat-trick as the home side registered their first win since January to ease any lingering relegation fears.

Goodison gave his side a tenth minute lead when he ran through and held off the attentions of two defenders before coolly dispatching a left foot drive into the corner of Lee Fagg's net.

The visitors soon levelled when the Trojans' defence failed to cut out a long ball. Goodison restored the lead before half-time when he latched on to Gary Shankland's cross to score from close range.

The home side really got on top in the second-half with the returning Phil Dodsworth pulling the strings in midfield.Promising newcomer Oliver Barrand set up Goodison for his hat-trick and Chris Wheeler was denied a fourth when his shot hit a post and rolled along the line before being gathered by Fagg.

Veteran defender Martin Robinson made it a scoring return to the side when his bullet header powered past the hapless Fagg and Wheeler got the goal his performance deserved following a goalmouth scramble.

Shankland ended his own personal goal drought when he headed in Wheeler's corner to take his tally into double figures. Goodison collected match point for his well taken goals and all round performance.

Trojans Reserves entertain promotion chasing Addingham tonight (Thursday) kick-off 6.30pm. Players meet at the Cricket Club at 5.45pm.