Ilkley AFC 2

Sandy Lane 3

Ilkley AFC got their new campaign off to a disappointing start last Wednesday by suffering a narrow defeat at the hands of Sandy Lane.

Ilkley were looking to carry on from last season's good form after winning promotion from Division Two at the first attempt but came up against a well-organised Sandy Lane team who had been relegated from the Premier last term.

The sides were evenly matched in the first 15 minutes with players from both teams looking a little rusty. Mis-placed passes and poor first touches were prevalent, and the hot night meant the pace was slower than expected.

Sandy Lane took the lead after 20 minutes when a defender was allowed to steal in at the far post and convert a long throw in which Ilkley had failed to deal with.

It wasn't long before Ilkley were back level however, as good pressure from Adam Davey won the ball in the oppositions area and Jim Hannaford was on hand to calmly slot the ball past the 'keeper.

The pace of the game began to increase a little towards the end of the first-half and Sandy Lane managed to take a lead into the interval, following an error from the home rearguard on the stroke of half-time.

From an attacking corner, the ball was cleared to Matthew Trimnell on the half way line but he was pressed by the lively forward, who intercepted a pass and raced in on goal before neatly rounding Dean Henderson and applying the finish.

Ilkley continued to work for a second equaliser and it eventually came as James Wilson burst through from midfield and unselfishly played in Joe Horne, who steadied himself before finishing well. A couple of changes were made by both teams to inject more energy into the game and it was Lane who grabbed the winner with ten minutes remaining, the simplest of goals converting a corner from a yard out with no Ilkley defender providing a challenge.

Ilkley AFC 2

Barwick 0

On Saturday it was important for the home team to open their account and a more focussed approach was needed after lapses in concentration had cost them dear against Sandy Lane.

The difference in attitude was apparent from the first whistle and it was inspired by the return of club Captain David Knox, who had missed the opening game through work commitments.

The visitors had the lions' share of possession throughout the first- half but they lacked any sort of cutting edge up front, with Trimnell and Andy Bloom marshalling the forwards with relative ease. Most of the play was controlled by the Barwick midfielders but with no options ahead of them frustrations began to show.

Ilkley forced a corner which was cleared as far as Martin Taylor. He played the ball in behind the defence as they rushed out and Adam Davey's well-timed run sprung the off-side trap. He showed great composure as he rounded the 'keeper and applied the finish to give Ilkley the lead.

The game ebbed and flowed and Ilkley looked comfortable in defending their lead without being able to maintain possession as well as they would have liked.

Ilkley were certainly looking more dangerous than their opposition and managed to create a few good chances. As the visitors pressed more, gaps in their defence began to show, and Hannaford was able to exploit them. He picked up the ball on the half-way line and worked his way into the area.

Just when it looked like the shooting opportunity had gone his quick feet got the better of the defender and an untimely lunge gave the referee no option but to award the penalty. Hannaford picked himself up to dispatch the spot kick.

With ten minutes remaining Paul McTigue pressured the defence into making a hurried clearance. Hannaford anticipated the backward header and raced into the box unchallenged to beat the 'keeper before emphatically finishing.

Ilkley will try to build on this result and have another two home fixtures this month hosting Hartshead Seniors on Wednesday (6.15pm) and AFC Emley on Saturday 27 (2.30pm).