Ilkley Reserves 2

Ripon Magnets 1

Having played well and lost the previous week Ilkley Reserves made amends by beating Ripon City in an even encounter. Throughout this was a physical but fair game that was played at fierce tempo.

Ilkley again took their time to settle.Once they had adjusted and settled Ilkley gained a foothold in the game and were soon dominating.

Carlo Ruggiero and Ben Convey were soon having an impact on the game from the wings.

Both players sent in a number of stinging crosses which had Ripon's defenders scrambling to clear them.

In attack Mynett and Martin used their physical presence to good effect and were able to play Convey and Ruggiero in behind the Ripon defence to create scoring opportunities. With 20minutes gone Ilkley took the lead.

Chris Mynett surprised his marker with deft touch back over his shoulder before heading towards goal.

His progress was halted unfairly and Mynett stepped up and converted the penalty he had just won.

With a one-goal lead Ilkley looked reasonably comfortable and looked to push on and extend their lead.

Martin and David Taylor in the centre of Ilkley's defence were solid and often provided the platform for Ilkley's attacking play along with Rishworth and Metcalfe in the centre of midfield.

The way the ball was transferred out wide was a feature of Ilkley's play throughout and something that caused their opponents great difficulty.

With all the attacking play Ilkley were enjoying in wide areas they left themselves exposed to Ripon's quick counter-attacking play.

One such break bought the visitors an equaliser shortly before the break.

Ilkley conceded possession in their own third and quick passing got Ripon in behind Ilkley's defenders.

David Taylor's challenge was clumsy allowing Azbeo to convert the resulting spot kick.

The first-half had been a fairly even contest, perhaps shaded by Ilkley in terms of the number of chances that they had created. At the break, Ilkley were reminded of the need to maintain their discipline and shape to thwart Ripon's talented attacking players and to get the ball wide as quickly as possible to stretch their opponents and to allow Ruggiero and Convey the chance to run at their opponents.

Ilkley began the second period the brighter of the two teams and were quickly back on top.

An unfortunate injury to Alex Merritt forced Ilkley into a change but allowed Paul Spears the opportunity to make his first appearance for the club at full-back.

As the game progressed towards its conclusion the relentless pace began to take its toll on the players.

In spite of this Ilkley continued to create good space in wide areas and Convey and Ruggiero provided crosses for Martin, Mynett and Rishworth.

The game was decided with 20 minutes to go by a Richard Martin goal.

Mynett's corner was headed back across goal by Ruggiero for Martin to turn in from four yards.

The running that Convey and Ruggiero had done all game eventually took its toll and both were replaced with 15 minutes to go by Sharpe and Turnbull.

At 16 years of age both had given fine performances and have adapted superbly to the demands of senior football.

In the final exchanges Ripon looked the sharper of the two and Taylor was called upon to make a fine save when he tipped a fierce drive onto his own bar.

Ultimately Ilkley deserved their win through the quality of their passing football.

Martin Taylor had a great game at centre back and showed great energy in bringing the ball away from defence.

Paul Rishworth and Phil Metcalfe gave the side composed passing in midfield and were important in maintaining the side's shape and protecting the back four.

This was by far Ilkley's best performance of the season against tough opponents who competed well and played good attacking football.