to narrow victory

Ilkley Juniors Youth 3 Cononley 2

ILKLEY Juniors Youth stumbled to victory against their spirited opponents on a bog-like surface. The absence of five key players provided the opportunity for Andrew Bedford to make his debut. It was also a chance for Campbell, Joe McTigue and Crowther to press their respective claims for starting places.

Seeking to pass constructively, Ilkley's players often found themselves caught in possession on a surface that made quick movement difficult. Rishworth and Dadd struggled to gain possession in midfield and strikers Horne and Martin were challenged vigorously every time the ball came to them. Cononley, who took the lead in the early stages, produced few constructive moves but always looked dangerous around the Ilkley penalty area and from corners because of their power advantage.

Gradually, full-backs Tod and Stewart found more space in wide positions and began to supply wingers Hey and Bedford. Ilkley Youth eventually grabbed a deserved equaliser when Bedford and Stewart combined to allow Hey to fire home from ten yards.

At the start of the second-half, central defenders Dixon and Beaumont worked hard to pressurise Cononley who found it difficult to mount any serious attacks. However, Taylor had to be alert to make a low diving save from the Cononley centre half.

The surging runs of Stewart formed the main source of Ilkley's attacks and Hey found his path to goal quickly blocked after a superb long ball from Bedford.

The introduction of McTigue provided more power and despite Rishworth's increasing influence in midfield, Ilkley found it difficult to break down a resolute Cononley defence.

Cononley eventually snatched the lead from a rare break and worked hard to defend it. With time drifting away Ilkley introduced Campbell and Crowther and reverted to a 4-3-3 formation.

With a couple of slices of good fortune Ilkley levelled matters when McTigue's low cross glanced off Martin's heel into the net.

The deflated home side then received a further set back when Crowther's pass allowed Campbell to rifle home the winner with a fierce left foot shot. David Stewart gained the Man-of-the-Match award for another marauding display. Joe Horne, David Dixon and Peter Tod produced determined performances.

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