Bradley 2

Ilkley Youth 1

A FIRST away league defeat of the season for Ilkley Junior Youth as the season's adventure draws to a close. With only two games remaining, the Guyson-sponsored Ilkley juniors Youth are clinging to the fourth place in the league with an outside chance of gaining promotion.

Since the grounds have become harder and drier, the Ilkley Youth players have found it difficult to produce controlled or constructive football, and as Alex Ferguson suggested after Manchester United's scrambled equaliser against Juventus, there are times when prettiness needs to give way to pragmatism.

In a game, almost devoid of passing moves Bradley's physical superiority in the challenge restricted Ilkley's progress and both teams eased pressure by hitting long, hopeful passes forward.

The postage stamp pitch diminished the speed advantage enjoyed by top-scorer Richard Martin and Joe Horne, and nullified the threat posed by wide players Paul McTigue and Allen Hey.

Bradley held territorial advantage for the first 25 minutes without creating any clear chances. A succession of long throws into the Ilkley penalty area caused some early concern to the defence but Dixon, Houlston, Beaumont and Joe McTigue gradually learned to cope with the limited threat.

The young defenders managed to deal well with a succession of forward punts, and veteran 'keeper Blenkhorn provided extra cover.

However, Rishworth and Dadd struggled to gain possesion in midfield and the ball was too easily won back by Bradley players, leaving Ilkley on the back foot for most of the first-half. Just when it looked as if the Youth team had managed to get to half-time without conceding a goal - Bradley scored from yet another long throw.

This time, the throw was flicked on at the near-post and an unmarked forward headed past Blenkhorn at the far post.

Time to regroup at half-time and seek new ways to gain more control in the game.

Having made several tactical changes, Ilkley Youth needlessly conceded a corner that was only partically cleared and Wormald thumped in the loose ball to give Bradley a 2-0 lead in the first minute of the second-half.

With a season's endeavours drifting away, the young players responded magnificently and roused their large contingent of supporters.

A feature of the season has been the positive way the players have reacted after conceding goals and though never able to play flowing football, Ilkley Youth battled their way back into the game.

Horne and Martin began to forage with more urgency, and placing tiring defenders under increasing pressure.

McTigue and Hey began to receive more of the ball from the hard working Rishworth and Dadd, and it was Hey who gave Ilkley a chance when he hammered home a penalty after Horne was unceremoniously dumped by two Bradley defenders in the penalty area.

For the final 30 minutes, Ilkley dominated but found it difficult to find time and room to create clear scoring chances. Free-kicks by Hey and McTigue sailed just over the bar, and Martin and Horne had shots blocked by increasingly desperate defenders. Occasional punts forward saw some action in the Ilkley half but Houlston, Beaumont and McTigue dominated the Bradley forwards, to the extent that Hammond replaced Joe McTigue to add more width on the left and support Hey.

When David Dixon was injured, Flash Campbell was thrown into the fray to provide another attacker as Ilkley reverted to a back three and James Crowther replaced the tiring Dadd.

With full steam ahead, Ilkley battled hard for an equaliser and Campbell saw his 20-yard snapshot fly inches wide but the best and last chance was to fall to skipper Rishworth.

A twisting run by Paul McTigue resulted in a great cross to the penalty spot being met by Rishworth but unlike Scholes for England this Paul could not get the power behind his header to beat the Bradley 'keeper.

Nevertheless, Rishworth's final minute effort and commitment epitomised the resolve shown by the Youth team after going two goals behind.

Joe McTigue gained the Man-of-the- Match award for a battling defensive display.

l On Saturday Ilkley Juniors Youth play their final home game of the season against Settle at the Grammar School Fields, kick-off 2.30pm. Team to meet at the changing rooms at 1.30pm.

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