Bramhope 1

Ilkley 3

Ilkley continued their winning ways in the Harrogate Senior League with successive away victories over newly promoted Bramhope on Thursday and Pateley Bridge on Saturday.

With key players on holiday and others injured, this is a positive start by Ilkley who have been forced to play early season fixtures away from home because of the perennial difficulty in finding suitable changing accommodation and pitches in Ilkley.

Hopefully, the club's Charter Standard Club recognition by the FA will facilitate development links with local schools and sport clubs, in the meantime, one of the most popular and thriving community sport clubs in Ilkley continues to live a nomadic life.

Ilkley secured a hard-fought win with goals by Hoyle, Hall and Stockdale against opponents who enjoyed the physical side of football. An early headed goal by Hoyle from a pin-point cross by Hey gave Ilkley a flying start and the home team found it difficult to gain possession from a confident Ilkley side.

Bloom and Trimnell managed the Bramhope forwards with authority and allowed full-backs Knox and Richardson to launch a series of attacks. Smith, Hall and McTigue caused problems with skillful movement and support, and also suffered some crude challenges.

It was fitting that Hall scored the second Ilkley goal to provide a cushion in the second-half.

However, as with the opening game of the season at Boroughbridge, by trying to coast to victory Ilkley allowed their opponents to scent a revival. When a subsequent free-kick was expertly despatched in to the corner of Morgan's net to make the score 2-1 after 65 minutes, it was Bramhope who began to press for an equaliser.

The pressure was largely muscular and Ilkley had to thank substitute Stockdale for scoring a third goal to thwart the home team's ambition.

Returning to the team for the first time this season Stockdale produced a powerful run and shot to secure the three points for Ilkley.

The visitors then controlled the remainder of the game with Giles a steadying influence in midfield.

Pateley Bridge 1

Ilkley 2

On Saturday, Ilkley travelled to play Pateley Bridge at Darley. Ilkley completely dominated the first-half but could not score. Wilson, Smith, Hall, Richardson and Giles all had chances.

Ilkley finally made the breakthrough on the hour when Wilson stabbed the ball in.

Relief all round and Pateley players sensed the inevitable as Hall scored a second with a left foot shot across the 'keeper as he burst forward from midfield. With Horne, Ashton and Ratcliffe being introduced to provide fresh legs it seemed a case of 'how many would Ilkley score' as Pateley struggled to sustain any attacking threat.

Then it happened, an isolated attack, poor marking, an accurate shot and the score was 2-1 with Ilkley now faced with a possible draw .

The Reserves fixture was cancelled due to the unavailability of a playing pitch and changing rooms so their season kicks-off on Thursday at Burley Trojans (Kick-off 6.15pm). The first team are at Northallerton on Saturday players meet 1.00pm.