HARLOW HILL..........2

Ilkley AFC...............4

ILKLEY came away from Harlow Hill comfortable winners after producing probably their best display this season.

This avenged the defeat of three weeks ago when the scores were reversed.

The visitors came with the right attitude and Harlow Hill rarely touched the ball in the opening five minutes - Ilkley stringing together some excellent passes.

However, the opening goal was a one man show.

Andy Bloom came away with the ball following a crunching tackle on the halfway line.

He rode the challenges of the home players and hammered home from just inside the box.

David Taylor, Richard Giles and John Sayers combined well down the right, with a stream of crosses produced.

Stockdale almost capitalised but saw his shot graze the wrong side of the post.

Richard Giles tested the keeper with a shot which seemed destined for the top corner.

However the Harlow Hill man produced a great save.

A mix up down the Ilkley left allowed Harlow to break.

They quickly surged forward leaving goalkeeper Middleton helpless to prevent an equaliser.

However, Ilkley rolled up their sleeves and went and showed greater passion.

Midfielders Ashley Roberts, Giles, Bellwood and Sayers linked well with forwards Stockdale and Kelly.

Ilkley restored their lead when John Sayers' shot from the edge of the box was parried by the 'keeper.

Kelly stabbed the rebound home, his first goal for the club.

He has bided his time on the substitute's bench and took his chance.

The second-half saw McTigue replace Sayers.

The youngster showed he can handle the step up from the Ilkley junior youth team, and he had a hand in Kelly's second of the afternoon.

McTigue found Giles and his ball provided Stockdale with the chance to cross for Kelly to bury the ball into an empty net.

Trailing 3-1, Harlow fought back and missed two chances when it looked easier to score.

Ilkley's fourth came from Stockdale.

Latching on to Max Bellwood's long ball, the Ilkley man muscled his way through, rounded the 'keeper and finished coolly.

Harlow forced a succession of corners in the last five minutes, producing another goal.

But it was too little too late to deny Ilkley a well deserved trip to Spa Athletic in the second round.

This was an excellent performance by the whole Ilkley team.

Match points went to Chris Marsh, a giant at centre back, and Ashley Roberts, who once again showed true battling qualities.

l Ilkley travel to Kirk Deighton on Saturday. Players should meet at 12.30pm for a 2pm kick off.

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