Ilkley Yellows...........1

Pannal U-11s.................2

AFTER putting out Ripon, Collingham and Tadcaster Ilkley Under-11s Yellows took on Pannal in a very exciting Harrogate League Cup Final on Sunday.

The match was played at Ripon on quite a small pitch and Ilkley found it hard to settle into their usual passing game. Pannal had the best of the first-half with 'keeper Dean Henderson seeing a lot of the ball but he looked confident in his handling.

Pannal put the Ilkley defence under a lot of pressure and it was no surprise when they scored.

Ilkley had a couple of half chances which fell to Adam Benson and William Rudman.

In the second-half Ilkley played with more determination but a good move from Pannal saw them go two goals up. Ilkley did not let their heads drop with Mark Caldwell proving a fine example with some very committed tackles. William Rudman then scored what must be his best goal of the season. He won the ball around the half-way line with a fierce block tackle and then battled through two defenders before lashing the ball in from a difficult angle.

This fine solo goal changed the face of the game with Pannal now on the back foot and Ilkley went close to equalising through Thomas Dakin and Charles Wood.

At the other end Louis Bleazard made a number of important interceptions and 'keeper Dean Henderson made several good saves. Ilkley worked hard to try and save the game but Pannal ended up with the win. On the other pitch the blue squad had won 2-1 for Ilkley so the results were even going into the final match.

Ilkley U-11s Yellows..2

Pannal U-11s............1

The Yellows looked much better in the second game of the morning. The pace of Johnny Stevens up front caused the Pannal defence some problems. In midfield William Rudman and Charles Wood were starting to dominate and the pressure grew. Ilkley went in front with a William Rudman goal from close range, With Mark Caldwell and David Stansfield getting forward to support the attacks it was looking increasingly likely that Ilkley would score again. A long goal kick from Dean Henderson saw Rudman getting in behind the last man to beat the advancing 'keeper. At this stage Ilkley were really on top and were playing some nice passing football. Pannal managed to pull back a late consolation goal but Ilkley deservedly held onto their lead. That result along with a 1-0 win for the Blue squad on the other pitch gave Ilkley the Harrogate League Cup having won three of their four games.

Having already won their league by a sizeable margin this has proved to be a tremendous season for the Under-11s who have now completed a league and cup double. The boys were presented with their medals and the cup after the game to much applause from a large number of parents and friends who had travelled over from Ilkley and from the very sporting Pannal supporters.

lkley U-11s Blues.........2

Pannal Ash U-11s.........1

After a number of weather induced postponements the Cup Final finally took place at Ripon with Ilkley, winners of the Division 2 taking on Pannal Ash who ended up close to the top of Division 1.

Ilkley were soon on the attack with a neat move involving Matthew Mould and George Thompson which led to Henry Wilson shooting just wide. Further unsuccessful attempts came from Richard Atkins and Matthew Mould but Ilkley came under increasing pressure and their supporters were stunned when a defensive mix up let the opposition through to scramble the ball over the line to leave Ilkley a goal down. Henry Wilson had a powerful drive tipped over the bar and James Hall made a number of good saves at the other end.

Ilkley came out for the second half looking more their usual selves and drew level when David Wilson latched onto a good pass from Richard Atkins and made no mistake with his shot. Moments later he wrapped up the match with another fine goal. All that remained was for the team to keep their opponents at bay which they did with relative ease.

Ilkley U11s Blues.........1

Pannal Ash U11s.........0

The Final was to be decided on aggregate and at this point both clubs had won one game each. After attacks by both sides the game settled into a dogged midfield battle with both teams fighting hard for supremacy. Every Ilkley player played his part in the struggle but half time came with the match at stalemate.

The majority of the second half continued in the same vein until a fierce shot from George Thompson was only partially cleared by the Pannal Ash keeper and Henry Wilson was on hand to blast the ball into the net from point blank range. Their opponents fought back bringing some good saves from the Ilkley goalie and one heart stopping moment when Alex Bailey cleared off the line when a goal seemed inevitable.

This was a well fought Cup Final and Ilkley emerged as worthy winners to round off a very successful season.

Ilkley Under-14s lose in final

Ilkley U-14s....................0

Alwoodley.......................1

Having worked hard to reach the final Ilkley did not disappoint despite losing out to a goal in the final minutes in a game of football played at a frantic pace on a hot afternoon.

Both teams gave the spectators a game to savour, being evenly matched man for man, with very little time allowed on the ball. Ilkley started slowly but were soon in their stride with Lavery, Thompson, Pearce and Caddick making good use of the ball to the front men.

With Davey outpacing the back line, chances were created but Alwoodley worked hard to get tackles in just when it mattered. Ilkley began to dominate and forced a succession of corners and from one such corner the ball broke to Thompson who chipped for goal only to see his effort rebound back off the bar.

Whilst Ilkley were dominant Alwoodley were still quick to counter and Hamill, Flynn, Normington and Pugh had to be at their best and managed to keep the Alwoodley attack down to long-range efforts.

The half-time break was welcome to both sides but Alwoodley came out stronger and had the edge at the beginning of the half.

This time Ilkley relied on the counter-attack with Caddick and O'Donnell causing confusion up front but on each occasion the defences always seemed to have an answer.

Ilkley brought on Silverthorne midway through the second-half as legs began to tire on both sides but with only one sub on the day the fresher subs of Alwoodley may have been the difference in two evenly matched sides with the winning goal chipped over the advancing Ilkley 'keeper with almost the Alwoodley subs first touch.

Ilkley, although disappointed on the day, should take heart that they were part of an exciting game and were not total losers on the day as they collected their League Winners Trophy before going off to celebrate in style.

Man of the Match: Chris Normington.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.