Ilkley Youth.............10

Hellifield....................1

Having stuttered lately in the quest for promotion, the Guyson sponsored Ilkley Juniors Youth team blitzed an initially stubborn Hellifield side with eight second-half goals, including hat-tricks for Andy Bedford and Paul Rishworth.

On a large pitch and with the greasy surface ideal for swift passing, Ilkley Youth players relished the opportunity to get back to winning ways against a team with outside hopes of promotion.

Hellifield's reliance on defending by employing a rigid offside-trap, was undermined by regular breaks from midfield, and Keith, Stewart and Bedford all had chances to score in the first 15 minutes. Having struggled to score goals in previous games despite numerous opportunities, Ilkley players were either over-deliberate or snatched at the ball when well placed in the penalty-area.

Thankfully, skipper Rishworth eased some of the nerves when he scrambled the ball into the net after Martin and Bedford had seen close range shots blocked. Bedford doubled the score minutes later when he smashed the ball into the net after being sent clear by Rishworth, and further chances fell to Keith and Richardson as Ilkley piled on the pressure.

With the defence and goalkeeper underemployed, it was a surprise when Hellifield pulled a goal back from the first meaningful break. Hesitation by Ilkley players allowed the ball to bounce behind defenders and a Hellifield forward lobbed the ball deftly over the stranded Taylor. This goal stimulated Hellifield into renewed endeavour and once again reminded Ilkley Youth players that defensive concentration was required, alongside a less profligate attitude in front of goal.

A half-time score of 2-1 flattered Hellifield, for whom several players battled with determination but found it difficult to keep possession.

Over the season, Ilkley Youth players have regularly created goal-scoring opportunities against all opponents but have only managed to convert approximately one in every five chances. Sooner or later, such benevolence was due to end poor Hellifield were on the receiving end of a battering in the second-half.

Within two minutes of the re-start, a long through ball by Houlston sent Martin racing clear and he fired past the goalkeeper with conviction. Soon after, Antony Beaumont set off on a determined and mazy 50-yard run from wide on the right and his pass to Rishworth in the penalty area was tucked into the net to make the score 4-1.

With Hellifield wilting and becoming disorganised, Bedford added two goals in quick succession to claim his first hat-trick for Ilkley Youth. Firstly, he hit a low left-foot shot across the 'keeper into the far corner and the turned inside near the corner of the penalty-area and hit a screamer high into the same corner of the net. Goals that were reward for a more combative display and signs of renewed confidence in front of goal.

Not to be outdone, Rishworth pushed home his third goal after a great break and low cross from the left by Graham Richardson. With Dixon and Joe McTigue

stifling any stray Hellifield attacks it was only time before Ilkley Youth added further goals, and 'keeper Taylor only handled the ball twice in the second-half.

To cap an inspiring display by the Ilkley Youth captain, Rishworth performed a devastating turn on the edge of the penalty area and rolled the ball across the six-yard box for Martin to tap in the eighth goal.

With Hellifield players wishing for the referee to stop the contest, the introduction of Wheeler, Selvon and Tim McTigue added to their woes. Joe McTigue linked well with Wheeler and Bedford to force a series of corners from one of which Houlston's powerful header hit the crossbar and ace sniffer Stewart had the simple task of nodding in the ninth goal.

Wheeler then combined with Stewart to drive the ball low into crowded penalty-area and Simon Selvon got the faintest of touches to flick the ball past the goalkeeper to make it double figures for Ilkley Youth.

The Man-of-the-Match award deservedly went to Paul Rishworth, and it was pleasing to see Andy Bedford regain his goal-scoring touch and Jon Keith produce a typically dynamic midfield display.

l Resigned to losing two more stalwart players, Martin and Houlston, to globetrotting, Ilkley Youth travel to face McBrides on Saturday (Kick-off 2.30pm) and play the final home game against Intake on Tuesday (Kick-off 6.30pm).

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.