Addingham 0, Ilkley AFC 3

For the second time in a fortnight Ilkley met local rivals Addingham. This was a must win game for Ilkley who were looking to keep up the pressure on league leaders Spa Athletic as they strove for a second successive league title.

The game began in tepid fashion with neither side seizing the initiative and looking to dominate their opponents and much of the opening 20 minutes was scrappy as both sets of players looked to come to terms with the bobbly playing surface.

Consequently, scoring opportunities were at a premium with the only notable opportunity falling to Ilkley's Quaife who headed over from Richardson's back post corner. Much of the early period saw solid defending nullify any attacking play and Bloom and Dixon for Ilkley and Kennedy for Addingham were particularly effective with their headed clearances and marking.

As the half progressed and the game settled down Ilkley's midfield players began to dominate play and Hannaford made a couple of breaks which nearly created openings for Hall and Horne. Knox and Quaife both later released Horne through on goal but neither chance was capitalised upon as Dobson saved well.

In attack, Addingham worked hard to support Todd and Lavery who nearly created good opportunities from their determination but were largely unable to trouble Bainbridge in Ilkley's goal. Just before the break Ilkley gained more of a grip on the game and created a number of chances the best of which fell to Knox who forced Dobson into an excellent save with a left foot volley from 20 yards.

Overall the first-half had been a fairly even contest with Ilkley perhaps shaving it in terms of the number of chances created. After the break Ilkley looked to be more direct in their play and this approach yielded quick results. Good play in midfield found Horne who was able to wriggle free from his marker before shooting past Dobson for the visitors to take the lead.

This goal seemed to settle Ilkley and their full backs Tweddle and Richardson became more of a threat and saw more possession, which allowed Ilkley to ask more questions of the Addingham defenders. In defence Ilkley looked solid against Addingham's attacking options as Bloom and Dixon were effective in the air and goalkeeper Bainbridge was alert in tidying up any loose balls behind his back four.

The game was won by two fine goals; both scored by Jimmy Hannaford, in the space of five minutes. Firstly, Tweddle's right wing cross was knocked down by Horne to Hannaford who volleyed past the diving Dobson from 25 yards. Then, minutes later, as Addingham looked to settle the play down and re-group, Hannaford skipped past three players before beating Dobson via the inside of the right post.

With a three-goal deficit Addingham looked to get back into the contest with and committed more players into midfield.

The introduction of Jamie Taylor into midfield saw Addingham increase the tempo in their passing but they were unable to really test Bainbridge with any of the chances they were able to create as Ilkley were strong in the defending of their penalty box.

Wilson and Barrow replaced Stockdale and Horne to give Ilkley some fresher legs and to try and stretch their lead. This almost came about late in the game as Ilkley nearly caught Addingham on the counter attack.

Hall picked up the ball from an Addingham corner before feeding Wilson who sprinted 80 yards down the right touch line before crossing towards Barrow at the far post. Barrow collected and squared for Quaife whose shot was superbly saved by Dobson who tipped the ball onto the post.

Ultimately this was a deserved but hard-fought win against a determined battling Addingham side. Ilkley's extra strength in midfield allowed them to see more of the ball and the solidity of their back four ensured that Addingham never really had a good sight of goal.

The pace of Horne and Hall in attack ensured that Ilkley were always a threat on the break and the three goals that were scored were worthy of winning any game.

Overall the game was played in good spirit and well refereed by David Fryer.