Spa Athletic 1, Ilkley AFC 3: Despite allowing Spa to take an early lead, the Booth's sponsored Ilkley gradually took control and progressed without too much difficulty to the semi-finals of the Harrogate League Challenge Cup.

Welcoming back Braithwaite, Bainbridge and Hogg to the squad, Ilkley were without the influential Knox and managed to gift Spa the lead after only ten minutes.

Having pressed forward from the kick-off and seen the Spa goalkeeper Galton block a Hall shot at point blank range Ilkley were caught napping when a speculative cross wasn't cleared and the loose ball fell to Jones who slammed it past Bainbridge. The Spa centre-forward Jones was to prove a handful all afternoon as Ilkley defenders found him elusive. Thankfully he got little support as James Wilson and Giles dominated the midfield. Twice Stockdale got round the outside only to see shots blocked by desperate defenders or the heroic Galton.

The Spa 'keeper threw himself in front of Hoyle to block a volley, then saved with his legs from Hogg before punching clear from a Richardson corner. The inevitable breakthrough came after 30 minutes when Codman deliberately handled Hoyle's through pass and was fortunate to only receive a yellow card. From the resulting Richardson free-kick Hoyle headed goalwards and Galton almost parried the ball to safety before the ball nestled in the net.

Five minutes later, a determined run by Hogg forced a corner, from which Tweddle's powerful header was blocked on the goal-line by Codman only for Stockdale to push the ball into the net.

Almost in cruise mode now, Ilkley might have added more before half-time when Hoyle headed wide from a Hogg cross and Hall shot at Galton after a determined burst forward. To remind Ilkley of the frailty of a 2-1 lead, more indecisive defending resulted in Bainbridge making an important save at the feet of Jones.

Having tried to maintain a high-tempo against opponents who battled but struggled to keep possession of the ball, Ilkley began the second-half searching for a decisive third goal.

Bloom and Williams challenged Spa attackers with greater resolve, allowing Tweddle in particular to make some probing runs forward. With Spa at full-stretch, Giles and Hall combined well on the edge of the penalty-area, only for Hall's goal-bound shot to be tipped to safety by the flying Codman.

Instant marching orders for the would-be goalkeeper, who had clearly not learned from his reprieve in the first-half. After Hall had confidently tucked the penalty into the net, the referee ordered it to be re-taken because Codman was encroaching on the field of play.

A strange and questionable decision as the advantage should go with the penalty taker, and which clearly unsettled Hall who placed his second attempt inches wide.

These events spurred Spa into renewed effort and Ilkley tried to run with the ball too often and failed to make the extra-player count. A third goal sealed the game after 75 minutes when Giles broke through and his low cross was turned into the net by Hoyle. Still time for Powell to crash a 20 yarder onto Ilkley's bar. The introduction of Hughes and Rick Wilson placed increased pressure on a tired Spa defence. Hoyle, Giles and Wilson all had shots saved and Tweddle had his shot blocked and the follow-up was straight at the 'keeper.

A relatively comfortable win by Ilkley who showed some high tempo passing and movement that needs to be continued throughout the game.

l On Saturday, Ilkley return to league action at Harold Styans (kick-off 2.30pm) at Killinghall Moor, meet at the swimming pool at 1pm.