Sherwood 3

Ilkley Reserves 1

Traditionally a team which doesn't fare well in cup competitions, last Saturday saw the Guyson sponsored Ilkley Reserves knocked out of the Harrogate League medal in the second round by fellow division two promotion chasers, Sherwood.

Having been held up in traffic en route to the game Ilkley arrived late and had very little time to warm up and get used to the sticky surface.

Consequently, Sherwood were the brighter of the two in the early phase of play. Quicker to the ball, they had more possession but found Ilkley's back four difficult to break down and chances came at a premium.

After the initial 20 minutes Ilkley settled and with Jon Keith and Brad Houlston snapping at their opponents in central midfield Ilkley began to take control of proceedings. Hey and Ashton on the flanks received good possession which created scoring opportunities for Horne and Tod. Sherwood's 'keeper made good saves to deny both players and prevent Ilkely from taking the lead.

Somewhat against the run of play Sherwood opened the scoring on the half-hour mark. A seemingly harmless ball from the left eluded all of Ilkley's defenders but was picked up by the winger who shot past Sant from 12 yards.

Ilkley tried to strike back and produced some good flowing football in response. One move involving Brad Houlston, Keith and Tod forced a good save from the 'keeper. Another saw Dixon and Ashton combine well on the right to feed Tod who nearly won a penalty when his marker challenged clumsily. On the stroke of half-time Sherwood doubled their lead when a corner on the right was headed home at the front post.

This was a disappointing end to a half that had been evenly contested and one that Ilkley had possibly shaded in terms of quality of chances.

At the interval Ilkley re-grouped and began the second-half knowing that they had to be sharper in their passing and movement if they were to expose their opponents frailties.

The response was almost immediate. From defending a corner Ilkley sprung through Mark Houlston's anticipation and Joe Horne's blistering pace on the left-hand side. Having gone past Sherwood's defenders Horne crossed for Tod to finish the move with a tap in.

Ilkley, sensing that they had their opponents on the ropes pushed on in search of an equaliser. Damian Smith came on in place of Dixon pushing more players into attacking positions. This almost produced its intended result as Aston and Keith linked well in midfield before involving Horne whose pass found Smith; his shot on the turn was well saved.

Having worked hard to get back into the game Ilkley went further behind on the hour. Williams in central defence, who had an otherwise excellent game, got the ball stuck in the surface and his back pass to Sant was intercepted and finished off by Sherwood's alert striker.

Undeterred by this set back Ilkley showed great resolve and set about the task in hand. The final thirty minutes saw something of a siege on Sherwood's goal.

Ilkley created many good goal-scoring opportunities but found Sherwood's young goalkeeper in inspired form, making saves from Tod, Horne, Williams and Brad Houlston to deny Ilkley a route back into the game. There were several goalmouth scrambles and Ilkley had a couple of chances cleared off the line and Horne hit the crossbar with a header.

James Morgan and Joe McTigue were added as Ilkley threw four men up front in a bid to get something out of the game. Ultimately this was to no avail as Sherwood hung on to claim their victory. The result, as both sides conceded, did not reflect the balance of the game.

Ilkley's persistence and resolve on a difficult surface was impressive, as was some of the football they produced as game wore on. Brad Houlston had another excellent game, Adam Williams and Allen Hey showed their class at this level and David Taylor had another solid game at centre back.

l On Saturday Ilkley return to league action away at Helperby United. Players meet at the swimming pool at 12.15 p.m.