Thirsk 3 Ilkley AFC 3

ILKLEY AFC came away from Thirsk with a share of the spoils after a crazy 15 minute spell late on in the second half allowed Thirsk to get back into this Harrogate League encounter. In the opening half the best chances fell to the visitors, Steve Hall saw his header cleared off the line following a corner in the 10th minute.

Ilkley found the net when Ashley Roberts 25-yard free-kick hung in the air for John Sayer to meet with a well directed header over the 'keeper into the net. Thirsk began to stir a little pushing the visitors back. Stuart Middleton made a good save turning a rasping shot around the post to deny the hosts. Then a good move down the left saw Long and Bellwood combine to put Stockdale through. But Hall fired narrowly wide from Stockdale's cross. Ilkley pressed hard. Richard Giles picked the ball up on the halfway line before trying a cheeky shot when he saw the 'keeper off his line, the ball flying inches over the bar.

Thirsk were then given a glorious chance to level matters when Ilkley's back four were caught flat-footed. However, Dale's shot grazed the post after the Ilkley 'keeper came out well to narrow the angle. Central defender Andy Bloom produced some neat footwork to skip past two Thirsk defenders and his perfect cut back for Hall was smashed agonisingly over the angle of post and crossbar. With 10 minutes of the half remaining the pressure on the Thirsk goal was relentless. Hall, Sayer and Stockdale had shots either saved or blocked before Ilkley finally extended their lead. Ashley Roberts won the ball with a crunching tackle before finding Bellwood. He, in turn, fed Stockdale who forged past his marker down the left before squaring the ball into the path of striker Steve Hall. He drilled his shot low into the left corner.

In the second half the visitors seemingly cruising until Thirsk pulled one back. A dubious free-kick from 25 yards was worked very well before Wayne Dale connected with a well struck volley from the penalty spot. Ilkley were to be punished for taking their foot off the gas and there was a lesson to be learned from this game. The visitors were to find it very, very difficult to go back up the gears and into their first half cruising mode. Thirsk equalised when Darren Betey ran on to a long ball over the top before chipping 'keeper Middleton who had no chance. Then, in the 70th minute, Betey again should have scored but a cracking save by Middleton denied the Thirsk forward. Ilkley were under the cash. Defenders Marsh, Taylor, Long and Bloom were worked hard by the Thirsk attackers and when the referee awarded a penalty against Long for what looked like a perfect challenge. Justice was done when the penalty went wide of the post.

Thirsk did go ahead with an identical free-kick which made their second goal. Betey, again the scorer. Ilkley introduced Galasso and Kelly to the game. Fresh legs seemed to help the visitors find their early form and the pendulum swung back in their favour. Roberts was pulled to the floor as he went up to meet a Giles corner, the referee Mayhabeen levelling matters because again he pointed to the spot. Matt Long stepped up to make the score 3-3. Two minutes from time Giles rattled the crossbar as the visitors finished the stronger. However, points were lost here in a mad 15 minute spell when Ilkley were switched off. Match Points went to Chris Marsh and Max Bellwood.

l On Saturday Ilkley entertain locals Bramhope. Players meet ICC, 2.15pm, for a 3.00pm kick-off.

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