Hampsthwaite 2

Ilkley AFC 1

ILKLEY'S poor away form continued when they were shaded out of this Harrogate Premier Division game.

Their bogey side Hampsthwaite United were helped to the points following a highly controversial decision in the 74th minute that left Ilkley 'keeper Williams spark out on the ground.

Missing four regulars and the early exit of forward man Wilson through a cut eye, the odds were stacked against the visitors, who have never won on Hampsthwaite's sloping pitch.

Playing down the hill in the opening half they created quite a few good chances. Ashley Roberts floated a good cross to the back of the penalty area where Glen Riley had taken up a good position.

However, the Ilkley midfielder did not realise how much time he had to set his sights, opting instead for a quick pop at goal and the ball scuffed past the far post.

Hampsthwaite, the Division One champions last season, are doing well in the Premier Division. Unbeaten at home and lying in a comfortable fourth placed slot behind Boroughbridge, who are Ilkley's opponents at Denton Road this Saturday for a Harrogate quarter-final Challenge Cup-tie.

The home side pushed forward with some good football down their right and found some amount of joy against Ilkley's left-back Jordan. He was carrying an injury and lasted until the break before being taken off. Williams made many decent claims and the Ilkley 'keeper was positive in his work, receiving Match Point even though he was carried off the field 15 minutes from time.

The battle was hotting up in midfield. Giles and Hughes were up against equal counterparts in the middle but the hosts always looked dangerous when their quick strikers got hold of the ball.

Nevertheless, Ilkley's makeshift defence of Sayers, Braithwaite, Bellwood and Jordan did well to force the play out wide, taking a clean sheet into the second-half.

After the interval Mark Kiers replaced Jordan. The visitors grabbed a lead. Bellwood made a swift pass down the line to bring Chris Mynnett into the attack. He ran at the Hampsthwaite defender who went to ground to make a challenge just inside his own area. The ball squirmed out and Mynnett smashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.

Ilkley's lead lasted seven minutes. A hopeful ball lofted upfield eluded the defence and the home striker ran on to finish coolly past Williams. Now in the ascendancy they forced Williams into many fine saves.

The home side urged on by their support could not believe their luck when a long ball kicked upfield turned the game in their favour and snatched the points of a plucky Ilkley side.

Williams raced off his line and headed clear from the angle of his penalty area seconds after the Hampsthwaite striker came charging in at pace and collided with the 'keeper. He fell to the ground and lay motionless, unable to defend his goal.

Ilkley were totally dismayed and stunned that play continued. Meanwhile the loose ball had now been picked up by the Hampsthwaite midfielder. He fed the ball inside for his team-mate. The visitor's defence was scurrying back to try to prevent the striker from firing into an empty goal. Williams was helped off dazed, suffering a shoulder and back injury. James Sayers took the number one jersey but had little to do as the visitors finished strongly looking to salvage a point from a disappointing afternoon.

Ilkley versus Spa Athletic fell victim to the weather and on Saturday Ilkley take on Boroughbridge, who Ilkley beat 3-2 to go into the semi-finals of the Senior Cup.

Saturday's game at Denton Road kicks off at 1.30pm and a place in the last four of the Harrogate League Challenge Cup awaits the winners. Players meet Ilkley CC, 12.30pm.

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