Ilkley avenge defeat by Sandy Lane with four goals

Ilkley AFC 4

On a wet October afternoon, Ilkley travelled to Keighley to play Sandy Lane, looking to avenge a 3-2 opening day defeat.

The surface was extremely quick due to the rain, which helped both teams pass the ball with conviction but also meant that some late challenges were inevitable as the players struggled to keep their feet on the slippery surface.

Sandy Lane started the brightest with Ilkley a yard off the pace in the opening few minutes. The tall centre-forward was winning the majority of the headers, and his flicks were providing a constant threat for the home side.

After five minutes their right midfielder broke in behind the defence and as Ilkley's goalkeeper Jones stepped out anticipating a cross, the winger thumped a crashing drive off the near post from a tight angle.

That seemed to wake Ilkley from their slumbers and they began to get to grips with their opponents. Jimmy Hannaford saw more of the ball to his feet and his trickery was a permanent cause for concern for the home team.

On numerous occasions he released Houlston and Taylor down the right side as the visitors were looking more threatening on each fresh attack.

They should have taken the lead after 30 minutes after more good work by Hannaford down the right ended with a clumsy challenge by the defender.

The penalty was waived away by the referee to the surprise of everyone watching. Within five minutes, however, they took the lead, breaking quickly from a defensive corner. The ball was cleared to Hannaford on the halfway line, and he held off a defender before laying the ball off to Trimnell.

His pass to Mynett sprung the off-side trap and the forward kept his composure to finish excellently inside the 'keeper's left post.

Ilkley were controlling the tempo of the game, and Sandy Lane's midfield struggled to contain Houlston, Knox, Davey and Stockdale.

The lead was doubled with five minutes remaining in the first-half. Taylor made another good run down the right and put in a dangerous cross from the by-line. A defender won the first header but could only clear it to Davey 12 yards out and he lashed a left footed shot into the roof of the net.

It was good to see that Ilkley had taken full advantage of their period of domination, and Sandy Lane appeared dejected going into the second-half.

Ilkley maintained their discipline and work ethic as the home side started to give away petty free -kicks, much to Ilkley's advantage. The referee was then given a chance to make up for his earlier mistake as Hannaford again went down in the area.

This time the referee signalled for a penalty and Hannaford picked himself up to dispatch the spot-kick.

The game ebbed and flowed for the remainder of the second-half, and the scoring was completed after 65 minutes.

Richardson made an overlapping run down the left wing and looked up for support in the middle. His deep cross looked to be drifting harmlessly out of play but the unfortunate 'keeper could only watch as it dipped inside the far post.

The game was brought to an unsavoury end with eight minutes to play. Substitute Joe Horne received the ball wide left and his heavy first touch encouraged the defender to make a sliding challenge.

It appeared an innocuous collision at first but sadly it transpired that the Lane player's injury was very serious and both teams agreed to end the match prematurely to allow the player to receive adequate treatment. Both teams wish him a speedy recovery.

There is a break from league fixtures again this weekend as Ilkley entertain local rivals Pool in the first round of the Wharfedale and District FA Cup. Kick-off is at 2pm on West Holmes Playing Field, with players meeting at 1pm.