IKLEY YOUTH..........4

HORTON FC............0

The wake up call given by Lothersdale Athletic in the previous game certainly had the desired effect on the Guyson sponsored Ilkley Youth who returned to winning ways with a comfortable win over second placed Horton.

On a blustery day Ilkley saw the return of Brightman, Sayers and Richardson in defence allowing them to field a strengthened midfield.

The Youth team started the brighter of the two sides and were quicker to the ball throughout. During the early exchanges the play of McTigue and Keith on the wings caused problems for the Horton defence and crosses into the box were met by Jordan and Smith who both narrowly missed in the first ten minutes.

With the wind in their favour Horton were able to clear the ball along way down field and exert pressure on the Ilkley back four and for long periods Ilkley had to defend in numbers and retain their shape and concentration.

With rejuvenated urgency in their play the Youth team were often quicker to the ball and any attacks that Horton did fashion were dealt with by Sayers and Beaumont who were impressive throughout the match.

The determination in Ilkleys defensive work paid off as Horton found themselves unable to create any clear cut chances from their open play or any of the corners that were forced. Goalkeeper Peter Taylor was effective in his calling and made good early decisions when collecting the ball to dissipate pressure. The midfield quartet of Trimnell, Rishworth, McTigue and Keith gained control of the game as the half progressed enabling counter attacks to be launched whenever play was broken up and on one such occasion the spritely McTigue combined with Smith in the final third of the field to produce an opening for the winger who fired his shot just wide.

Full-backs Richardson and Brightman also had plenty of opportunities to join up in attack, complimenting their gritty defensive play and both provided good crosses, which were well defended by the Horton defenders.

At half time the Youth team players were buoyed by their performance in which they had soaked up a lot of pressure without really looking as if they might concede and had created a number of good scoring opportunities.

With the wind now in their favour they knew that it would now be a lot more difficult for their opponents and immediately started to move the ball around a lot quicker. Richardson and Brightman along with Rishworth and Trimnell acted as orchestrators for many attacks in which the pace of Jordan and Smith asked questions of the Horton defenders and the goalkeeper was called upon to make several good saves.

The industrious work of Keith on the right allowed him to skate past his marker and centre for Jordan who was again denied by the goalkeeper. The ball was scrambled away for a corner. After two unsuccessful attempts Ilkley finally broke the dead lock on the hour mark when Richardson swung in a deep corner from the right which cleared everyone and sailed in at the far post.

This goal inspired Ilkley to increase the tempo of the game further and Richardson McTigue and Smith dominated the left hand side of the field with two touch passing and movement to exploit the spaces in behind the Horton defence.

On the right Keith was receiving balls from Trimnell and Brightman to scamper round his marker and Ilkley were denied goals by some athletic goalkeeping and good last ditch defending.

With the wind in their faces Horton's attacking potential was limited to long clearances down field which were dealt with by a confident back four and Sayers found himself in positions where he was able to come out with the ball and provide the spring board for further attacks.

As Horton tired Ilkley doubled their lead when a good move starting with a throw-in on the right involved Keith and Jordan before an unmarked Trimnell was found unmarked at the far post to slot coolly past the 'keeper into the roof of the net.

McCullow was introduced for the hard working Jordan and his fresh legs added impetus to more attacking play. McTigue was now running riot down the left hand side thanks to the possession won by Rishworth and Trimnell and another cross was nearly converted by Smith who was having perhaps his best game for the Youth team and yet was unable to get on the score sheet.

The result was sealed fifteen minutes from time when more midfield hassling from Rishworth and Trimnell fed Keith who in turn found McCullow in space who unleashed a vicious dipping, swerving shot from 25 yards over the 'keeper and into the top corner. Crowther and Tomlinson replaced Smith and McTigue with ten minutes to go and the latter could have added to the score from a Keith cross which was again well saved.

The game fittingly ended with another McCullow goal which was well finished after more good work from the Ilkley midfield.

The Ilkley players were justifiably pleased with this performance which not only saw them compete well and defend stoically when required in the first-half but also play some of their best quick passing football of the season.

Jon Keith was Man-of-the-Match for his efforts wide on the right both in attack and defence but every player had a good game and did themselves justice on the day.

With only seven games remaining Ilkley will need to maintain this good form if they are to win a successive league title.

l They have a traditionally difficult task ahead of them at Bradley on Saturday. Players are asked to meet at the swimming pool at 1p.m for a 2.30 p.m kick-off.