Bronte Wanderers 1 Ilkley Youth 3

A tepid performance by comparison to their previous two saw the Guyson sponsored Ilkley Youth notch their second victory of the season.

With a number of players missing due to injury, holiday and cricket commitments, several changes were made to the side that were held by Skipton Bulldogs the previous Tuesday.

The home side were quicker to the ball and stronger in the challenge leading to considerable pressure in Ilkley's defensive third. Only tremendous goalkeeping by Taylor and last ditch defending by Houlston ensured the score line remained level.

As the half progressed the urgency in the Ilkley midfielders increased allowing Hey and Stewart space in wide areas to deliver telling balls for Home and Martin. From one such attack Ilkley took the lead. Hey's cross was only half cleared and McTigue drove home from 20 yards. This spurred the home side on further and too often the Ilkley players were second to the ball in important areas. Bronte created several opportunities and Taylor produced some quite remarkable saves to maintain the lead through to half time.

Second half; different side and a different performance from Ilkley who were altogether more hungry than their opponents. Trimnell and McTigue harried allowing Stone, Richardson, Stewart and Hey to scamper in the space created. The fluency now back in their football Ilkley began to dominate and doubled their lead when Stewart deftly chipped a flat back line for Hey to volley home.

Dixon and Houlston steadily took control and thwarted further Bronte attacks leaving Taylor to mop up any errant through balls. This platform allowed the full-backs the opportunity to push forward regularly and feed Horne and Martin who caused the Bronte defence problems throughout the second half.

Sloppiness with ten minutes to go allowed Bronte back into the game and blighted a much improved second half performance. Ilkley were then forced to absorb another period of pressure from their spirited opponents before substitute Dodd's clever pressure forced on a Bronte defender to pass the ball straight to Horne who sealed the win with a viciously swerving shot into the top corner.

Crowther replaced Stewart and the Youth team were merely left to run down the clock.

An unconvincing performance but a win all the same saw the Youth team players revert, for periods, to their old habits of watching their opponents rather than taking charge of the situation and dictating terms.

Joe Horne received man of the match award but the contribution of Peter Taylor must not be forgotten in the context of the result.