Ilkley AFC.............0

Otley TOWN Res...2

ILKLEY crashed out at the semi-final stage of the Harrogate League Premier Division Cup to neighbours Otley Town.

In a scrappy and tightly fought opening half chances were few and far between. Alan Stockdale had a great chance to put Ilkley in front but he steered his header wide of the upright. Otley, facing the wind in the opening half, contested for every loose ball, Dave Ryan standing out in the centre of midfield, got the better of Giles and Hughes, who found it hard going for Ilkley.

Otley spurned a good chance when in the 20th minute a corner, delivered from down their right, fell nicely at the feet of Johnston, but his shot lacked pace and stand-in 'keeper Stuart Forrest got down to make the save. Bloom, Braithwaite, Bellwood and Taylor had deserved their half-time clean sheet by keeping Johnston and Myers, the Otley strikers, at bay.

Ilkley knew they would have to find one of their best performances of the season if they were to progress to the finals. They struggled to raise their game and the visitors came out for the second-half fired up, and put Ilkley under the cosh for long periods.

Myers had plenty of time and space, with only the 'keeper to beat. Forrest parried the shot and was up quick to smother the ball with the striker sliding in. Then Chris Stuart brought a good save from Forrest, tipping the top corner-bound shot over the bar.

The breakthrough finally came when central defender Bloom failed to clear, and Otley striker Johnston was quick on to the loose ball and easily lifted the ball over the stranded 'keeper.

Ilkley introduced Glenn Riley for Hanaford. His performance had been positive and it was a surprise to see him replaced. Chris Mynnett came on up front to replace Wilson but the fresh legs failed to change the course of the game. Otley went further ahead when Johnston latched on to a through ball which the linesman failed to flag for offside, and the striker strode in to the Ilkley penalty box unopposed before unleashing the ball across Forrest and into the far corner of the net.

Ashley Roberts delivered a nice cross to the back door but Stockdale's header was cleared off the line. Bloom also thrashed a shot inches over the bar but it was a case of too little too late and Otley deservedly went through to the final on Easter Monday.

l This Saturday Ilkley are at home to local rivals Pool AFC with three vital points up for grabs. The game kicks-off at 2.30pm.

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