Ilkley U-15s.............0

Amaranth...............3

AFTER the recent hammering at the hands of League leaders Seacroft Colts, another visit back to Leeds was definitely going to be a test of character.

Once again the lack of depth in the squad has left Ilkley with the minimum amount of options regarding team selection. The introduction of Richard Henry for his debut as goalkeeper was a major bonus considering the ever-growing list of unavailable players Ilkley are having to work around.

Despite playing into a near gale, Ilkley shrugged off recent defeats with a positive passing game endeavouring to work the ball below the wind and successfully managed to control the tempo of the game. Typically, despite a very promising start the home side opened the scoring when Richard Henry saw his initial save controlled by use of an attacker's hand enabling him to fire home at ease.

Ilkley were then caught on the break and found themselves 2-0 down at the interval.

The second-half saw Ilkley push their wing backs high up the pitch as captain Tom Ross-Jones rallied his team to find a way back into the game. Quality performances by David Tod and Chris Smith, along with Man of the Match Daniel Smith, ably assisted by Ross Kennedy and James Wilson, continue to look as if Ilkley would soon be finding the elusive goal the team's hard work had deserved.

Having contributed enormously Ilkley's match was over when Amaranth again broke away, leaving Ilkley on the end of a flattering scoreline. If winning isn't everything then the Ilkley boys can at least take plenty of credit for the manner and effort they showed in this match.

Kirk Deighton...........1

Ilkley U-14s ............ 3

Ilkley went into this Harrogate League Cup final determined to show the Division 'A' leaders they were going to be no pushovers.

The game started at a frantic pace, with both teams intent on closing each other down, with Kirk Deighton sitting back in the early exchanges to counter the elements. Ilkley found it difficult to make inroads as the half continued. Lavery and Caddick began to find more space on the flanks and when Lavery was brought down Hammill fired home the free-kick.

The home team fought back but were always denied a shot on goal by the outstanding defensive display of Pugh, Flynn, Normington and Hammill. Ilkley's midfield quickly realised that the uneven surface made control difficult and Pearce and Davey began to distribute the ball early beyond the Kirk Deighton defence, causing uncertainty, which eventually led to Caddick forcing his way into the area only to see his shot blocked, but O'Donnell was on hand to fire home the rebound.

Playing against the elements in the second period Ilkley brought on Blenkhorn to strengthen the midfield, and for the opening quarter this worked well, with the home team finding it difficult to force an opening. With time running out a lapse of concentration in the Ilkley defence saw what looked a harmless cross run between four Ilkley players to give the home team a lifeline.

With 15 minutes remaining the home team pushed forward and Ilkley were forced to dig in. Tankard was forced into two outstanding saves to keep Ilkley in the game.

The game reached the final five minutes and when Ilkley gained possession they realised the value of holding the ball and retaining possession whilst breaking through, passing rather than the long ball. One such break resulted in a corner which was played short to Thompson, who held the ball up in the corner before evading two defenders to curl the ball over the 'keeper from the corner flat to seal a victory.

The Cup Final now awaits but before this Ilkley return to League action knowing that victory over close rivals Old Modernians will see them move into second place in the League. Man-of-the-Match: Luke Flynn.

Ilkley U-12s..........3

Stansfield...............0

On a blustery day Ilkley played hosts to Stansfield Rovers with a strong wind blowing across the pitch. Controlling the ball was always going to be difficult and so it proved, both teams struggling to get any rhythm in their game. Stansfield seemed to be the first to gain some possession pushing Ilkley back and a couple of long shots going straight to Walker in the Ilkley goal.

For their part Ilkley were trying to get the ball wide to Gilbert and Sharpe to release the crosses to Holmes and Blenkhorn. Stansfield went close to scoring when a cross evaded the Ilkley defence but the Stansfield forward shot inches wide. The game was very tight and Gilbert did manage to get away from his marker but his shot was not strong enough to score.

Stansfield carried on their long ball game but the Ilkley defence of Winward, Jex, Cowey and Seddon were holding together well. The first goal came when Falkingham hit a tremendous ball over the defence and Holmes, who had been quiet by his standards, was on to it and poked it passed the 'keeper to give Ilkley the advantage at half-time: 1-0.

Although in front Ilkley had not achieved their usual high standard of passing the ball so they were looking to improve in the second-half. Suddenly Fox and Falkingham started to win the ball more to drive Ilkley forward. Gilbert also came out of his shell and his ball found its way to Blenkhorn, whose shot was blocked but Holmes following up made the 'keeper pull off a fine save.

Ilkley totally dominant were now creating a host of chances and should have gone 2-0 up when from a Cowey corner Seddon just could not force it over the line. Ilkley did go 2-0 up when Blenkhorn skipped around two players to fire low into the corner. Ilkley had more chances before Stansfield had a shot cleared off the goal line by Nick Jex. Ilkley finally broke away to wrap up the match when from the resulting corner Falkingham smashed the ball home.

Ilkley -9s ..............1

Weston Lane 'A......2

Despite the final result this was a heartening display from Ilkley against an unbeaten Weston Lane. The home side took the initiative from the kick-off and controlled and passed the ball, showing experience and maturity beyond their years, from 'keeper William Normington through to the defence of Joe Thompson and Michael Lader, and onto the midfield of Stephen Loy and Sam Needham, then up to Stephen Bunn and William Knox. Each boy played his part brilliantly.

Ilkley took the lead in the first-half when Joe Thompson struck the ball well, giving the 'keeper little option but to punch it out where William Knox was waiting to put away his 11th goal of the season.

Weston Lane realised they had a real battle on their hands but it was Ilkley who continued to dominate the second-half. Some substitutions were made and then against the run of play the visitors equalised and then went ahead, but Ilkley soon responded with a brilliant individual run from Anthony Mitchell.

Cameron Barret lobbed the ball over the visitor's defence and Anthony latched on to it on the half-way line. He then dribbled the ball at speed to the edge of the box but his shot was tipped agonisingly around the post by the 'keeper as the match drew to a close. Ilkley pressed hard for an equaliser. William Knox picked up the ball on the half-way line, played a neat one-two with Stephen Bunn, and took the ball into the box but his shot went just wide.

There were some outstanding individual performances but the Man-of-the-Match was narrowly won by William Knox.

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