Ilkley Juniors

Ilkley U16's........1

Ilkley made the long journey to Thirsk hoping to erase the memory of their last game - in which they had two men sent off - with a comfortable win.

However, in the league leaders, they had a strong opposition. Without three central midfielders, Bloom was pushed up into midfield to partner Houlston in the centre.

The first-half was goalless, but not without its share of excitement. Both teams played well, and created chances, Thirsk coming closest to scoring when a free-kick evaded both wall and keeper, but bounced back off the inside of the post. Weir also cleared off Ilkley's line, whilst only good defending from the back four kept Thirsk from scoring.

Teasdale made a good run for Ilkley late in the half, but his effort was blocked by a defender.

In the second-half, both teams continued to make chances, and Dorrell, in the Ilkley goal, was called into action on more than one occasion. It was Ilkley however who scored first. Teasdale's cross was controlled well by Hibbert, and he fired past the keeper to break the deadlock.

The lead was short-lived however. When Thirsk broke away, Dorrell was caught stranded, and the grateful attacker lobbed the ball cleverly into the back of the net.

Neither side was able to steal victory however, and the points in the end were deservedly shared.

Ilkley U-15s...........6

Rawdon ................ 0

AFTER four successive away matches without any rewards Ilkley arrived back at home looking to get back on track against Rawdon Park Rangers.

Unfortunately the gale force wind sweeping down the pitch ruined any chance for either team to play any sensible sort of football. Despite having to defend deep in their own half Ilkley made a brave attempt to keep the ball down and Man of the Match James Wilson continued at the heart of midfield feeding Chris Smith down the wing. Following a spell of good attacking pressure James Wilson fired in a low cross shot which finally ended up in the Rawdon net to give Ilkley a deserved interval lead.

The second-half saw an occasional breakaway by the visitors but poor finishing denied Rawdon any way back into the game.

Good performances by David Tod with two goals and Peter Hibbert, who also managed to score himself a rare goal set up Ilkley for a comfortable victory. Further goals from Kieran Booluck and Daniel Smith wrapped up the scoring in a match ruined by the weather.

Lawnswood............... 0

Ilkley U-12s ............ 5

Choosing to play down quite a slope Ilkley were hoping to gain a first-half advantage. The game started scrappy with Lawnswood packing their defence and crowding the ball to give Ilkley little early possession. The first real quality move saw Falkingham beat three players on a mazy run before releasing Blenkhorn who shot straight at the 'keeper.

The second chance fell to Holmes, who also found the 'keeper in the right place, although Ilkley were having plenty of the ball. Most of their play was breaking down in the last third of the field. Lawnswood, for their part, were trying to hit Ilkley on the break but always found Cowey and Jex their betters.

Ilkley did make the breakthrough when a long shot by Seddon was flicked on with his head by Holmes to deceive the 'keeper.

Not long after Jex hit a rasping drive only to see the ball cannon back off the bar. Ilkley then increased their lead when Gilbert, who had been quiet, found Blenkhorn whose low shot went in the corner. Lawnswood tried to fight back and a good ball over the top saw Walker have to make a fine save. Ilkley pressed home their first-half dominance when Holmes latched onto a through ball to score. Half-time: 3.0.

Lawnswood were hoping that now playing down the slope themselves that they could push Ilkley back but this notion was never realised as Ilkley, now confident, were using their heads and playing their way up the pitch. Falkingham was having a fine game and his ability to beat men at will was carving out openings for Ilkley from one such run. Holmes took the ball on to score.

Lawnswood, although trying hard to compete, just could not keep possession long enough to trouble Ilkley although one long shot had Walker slightly worried.

Gilbert came to life more in this half and his cross was just missed by the strikers. Blenkhorn rounded off a solid Ilkley performance when he took the ball past one man and rounded the 'keeper to slide the ball home.

Lawnswood had given a great effort but Ilkley 's win was based on a sound defensive performance.

Dynamos U-10 A.............1

Ilkley U-10 Yellows..........1

This was an excellent performance from every player in the Ilkley team in a close, entertaining game against strong opposition. Horsforth had the better of the early exchanges and Ilkley 'keeper Edward Long had to make a number of good saves to keep Horsforth from scoring.

Ilkley battled for everything with James Heaton, Chris Allen and Robert Hall all defending exceptionally well. Ilkley's confidence grew as the game progressed; a Kieran Borrett cross from the right was nearly turned into the Horsforth net after pressure from Chris Atkins.

The half finished with James Heaton beating three defenders on the left only to see his shot deflected for a corner.

The second-half was played in the same end to end fashion as the first with both sides going close. Midway through the half Horsforth took the lead with a well-placed header from a corner. Ilkley fought back and with five minutes left got the draw that their play deserved when the 'keeper only parried a James Heaton shot from the left and Kieran Borrett forced the ball into the net from close range.

Dynamos U-10A............4

Ilkley U-10 Blues...........0

Horsforth were soon on the attack and hit the Ilkley woodwork twice in the first few minutes. Sustained Horsforth pressure soon resulted in a goal, which was scored after some confusion in the Ilkley defence. Horsforth were now in control and it took some good defending by Ilkley 'keeper Jordan Walker and defenders Henry Crossley and Jacon Wright to keep the score down.

Ilkley started the second-half better. Chris Bagshaw went close after being put through by Jonathon Knipe and Ilkley started to create some chances but the Horsforth defence held firm. The score remained unchanged until late in the game when Horsforth scored two more in quick succession.

Ilkley U-9s..................... 5

Cookridge......................1

After a sleepy start when they conceded a sloppy goal Ilkley went on to dominate this thoroughly entertaining encounter against newcomers Cookridge. Any pressure from the visitors in the early stages was soaked up by some brilliant defending from Joe Thompson and Michael Lader. Ilkley then applied pressure of their own resulting in goals for William Knox (3), Joe Thompson and Stephen Bunn.

Man-of-the-Match was Stephen Bunn, who showed great skill and awareness throughout and could have scored on numerous occasions.

After a number of substitutions a second game took place resulting in an even more emphatic victory for Ilkley.

Tadcaster U-11s....2

Ilkley U-11s...........4

ILKLEY Under-11 Blues reached the cup final with two wins over Tadcaster. Against the second placed team in a higher division this was a tremendous achievement.

David and Henry Wilson produced early shots and there was some good defensive play before Henry Wilson opened the scoring. He increased the lead with a cracking volley.

In the second-half George Thompson rounded off a move involving Matthew Mould, Henry Wilson and Jonathan Stevens. Tadcaster clawed a goal back but then Stevens made it 4-1 before Tadcaster got another before the end.

Tadcaster U-11s...........1

Ilkley U-11s.................2

Ilkley clinched their place in the cup final with a dogged display in the second game. They came from behind to beat a very strong side.

Tadcaster were first on the attack and brought a good save from Dean Henderson. Although the Ilkley forwards had a number of chances they could not beat the 'keeper.

Just before the break Tadcaster scored after some sloppy Ilkley defending.

There was more determination in Ilkley's play in the second-half. Richard Atkins and Henry Wilson went close to scoring before David Wilson levelled the score with a fine goal.

Ilkley remained on the attack and David Wilson and Richard Atkins had shots saved. David Wilson then popped up with the winner following a pass from George Thompson who had excelled in midfield.

Tadcaster came back with a number of attacks but Ilkley's defence held firm and they deserved their place in the final.

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