Fourth successive draw for Ilkley

Beckwithshaw...0

ILKLEY AFC notched their fourth successive draw when they met a determined Beckwithshaw side which weathered an early barrage from the home team.

Welcoming back Bellwood, Cummings and Stockdale, Ilkley started very brightly on a bumpy pitch and in swirling wind conditions. Enterprising play by Wilson set-up Hall and his 20 yard shot rattled to safety off the crossbar.

Minutes later the same player broke from midfield and saw the Beckwithshaw 'keeper finger-tip another rasping shot onto the bar.

With 20 minutes played, all of the pressure had been exerted by Ilkley as Beckwithshaw defended in numbers. Occasional breakaways were stifled by Bloom and Cummings, with full-backs Houlston and Braithwaite pushing forwards at every opportunity.

A cross field pass by Houlston sent Horne scampering clear and his shot drifted inches wide of the far post. Still a goal would not come for Ilkley and gradually Beckwithshaw began to regain more possession in midfield.

In the swirling wind, corners were always difficult to defend, and Ilkley

were thankful to Lake for pushing over a deflection off defender Cummings as Beckwithshaw pushed forward. Little else of merit occurred in a first-half when Ilkley's promising start faded as the visitors showed more determination.

The second-half followed much the same pattern as the first with Ilkley starting brightly in search of an early goal.

The dangerous Hannaford raced through only to be hauled down on the edge of the penalty area with only the 'keeper to beat. A lenient referee failed to caution the defender and the free-kick was wasted.

This leniency turned in favour of Ilkley shortly afterwards when Cummings tripped a Beckwithshaw forward in the penalty-area and a penalty was not awarded.

A fortunate reprieve for an Ilkley side that was experiencing an off-day after several good performances in the new year.

The quick passing favoured by the home side was difficult to achieve with certainty on a bobbly surface and too many players waited for mistakes to be made by the opposition rather than being more positive in regaining possession.

Nevertheless, Hannaford

saw another chance slide wide of the far-post when put clear by Giles who worked tirelessly to force an Ilkley victory.

As the game drifted towards an almost inevitable draw, it was Beckwithshaw who seemed keener to force a win in the last ten minutes. Lake made an excellent stop from a header by Devereux before racing from goal and blocking an attempted lob allowing Bloom to make a recovering clearance.

Lake then blocked a point-blank shot at the near post after Ilkley failed to clear a long cross.

The introduction of Mynett and Stockdale failed to ignite a spark in the Ilkley attack. At the final whistle, Ilkley players were rightly disappo-

inted at the performance and a draw was a deserved result. The defence performed with more assurance and Lake made several important saves.

l On Saturday the team play a home game against Tockwith (KO 2.30pm) at West Holmes field. On Saturday, new sponsors Booth's are seeking to endorse the alliance by meeting Ilkley players at the supermarket at 12.45pm. Players should meet at the cricket club at 12.30pm before making their way to Booth's.