Cookridge 1 Ilkley Juns U-12s 5

ILKLEY Under-12s rounded off 1998 with a better performance than those of late and produced a gutsy finish to the year at Cookridge.

On a boggy pitch it was difficult to play any sort of football and the visitors had to be content with the long ball game upfield. Ilkley were a goal up after 10 minutes when Daniel Henderson capitalised on a loose ball in the box to fire high into the roof of the net. Rytis Macdonald made a good run through into the box and should have scored but was brought down in the box.

The penalty from Richard Ettenfield struck the post full on and came straight out to James Davidson who slotted the ball home on the rebound making it 2-0 to Ilkley at half-time.

The second-half saw Ilkley replace MacDonald with Josh Mitchell up front, who made an immediate impact with a goal from inside the box, after Sharpe had retained the ball well. The back four worked well as Richard Thackray and Ben Batters were solid across the area.

James Turner and Richard Ettenfield linked well in midfield to find Richard Sharpe with a through ball to make it 4-0 after a goalkeeping error. Doug Heffron replaced struggling Davidson and came close with a long-range shot. Mitchell made it five when he was again loose in the box.

Cookridge did collect a consolation goal when Ilkley lost concentration and lost sight of the ball and the home side slotted in front from the back door. Match Points: Richard Ettenfield two, Richard Thackray one.

Ilkley are through to the last eight in January. Draw to take place in the New Year. Ilkley will be back in league action in 1999.

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