It's another resounding victory for Ilkley on their travels

Ilkley AFC 4

A resounding victory for the Booth's sponsored Ilkley AFC at a windswept Dewsbury Moor, and a much improved team performance following last week's shambling win over Stanley.

The large pitch provided the opportunity for Ilkley to capitalise fully on the team's passing game, which eventually demoralised a home side that found it difficult to gain and keep possession.

With the wind at their backs in the first-half, Ilkley dominated the territory and possession in the opening 20 minutes with Alan Stockdale prominent in causing problems for the home defenders.

The Ilkley striker had an angled shot blocked by Bullen and glanced a header wide from Graham Richardson's cross before he opened the scoring after 25 minutes. Combining well with Jamie Barrow and David Knox, he raced beyond the last defender and his deft flick past Bullen clipped the inside of the post and into the net.

For the rest of the first-half, Ilkley camped in Dewsbury's half in a quest for further goals. Barrow blasted wide from Damian Smith's clever pass, Jonny Keith forced Bullen to make a point-blank save at the near post and the overworked 'keeper tipped the ball away from Smith after Mark Houlston's deep cross.

The second goal came after 35 minute when Smith's shot inside the penalty area was blocked only for Barrow to seize on the loose ball and drill the ball low past Bullen, and moments later Smith saw a tap-in goal denied by an offside decision. Richardson burst forward from full-back only to see his powerful shot deflected away from goal by McNamara as Ilkley sought a decisive third goal.

Try as they might, the Ilkley players could not add to the tally and a 2-0 half-time scoreline kept Dewsbury in the game, and with wind advantage in the second-half the home team felt capable of reducing the deficit.

As often happens in windy conditions, the route-one approach appears and the ball is regularly given away by the team with wind advantage. Such was the case in the second-half as Dewsbury found Andy Bloom and Matthew Trimnell in commanding form in the centre of Ilkley's defence.

Breaking-up attacks with composure and determination, the Ilkley players spread the ball to full backs Richardson and Paul Braithwaite from where Ilkley launched wave after wave of attacks. A third goal seemed imminent for Ilkley but as the half progressed chances went begging and Bullen in the Dewsbury goal was in fine form.

Knox drilled the ball against the post from 20 yards after a flowing move, Barrow's strong run was stopped at the near post, and Houlston had a close range effort parried to safety after a great pass from Smith, who then headed over from five yards after a corner by Richardson.

The game was sealed in the 70th minute when Smith broke through the defence, drew Bullen to the edge of the penalty area before slipping the ball sideways to Houlston who side-footed the ball into the unguarded goal.

Game set and match to Ilkley who added to the score after 80 minutes when David Stewart raced on to a Knox pass and squared the ball for Joe Horne to place the ball confidently past Bullen to register his sixth goal of the season.

Thereafter Rick Martin replaced Barrow to make his debut for the Ilkley senior team, before the Dewsbury manager was sent-off by referee Walker for ungentlemanly conduct in an acrimonious finish to a game previously conducted in good spirit by the players.

This was a convincing performance by Ilkley who had many new faces in the squad and some players with limited senior team experience. The physical determination improves with every game as does the willingness to pass the ball on the ground at every opportunity.

l On Saturday, Ilkley visit fellow newcomers to the West Yorkshire League, Leeds Street Soccer in a League Cup first round game (KO 2.30pm). Players meet at the swimming pool at 12.45pm.

Ilkley Reserves 1

Sherburn Reserves 3

Two first-half own goals ultimately proved too big an obstacle Ilkley Reserves to overcome in a game that they dominated.

In blustery conditions this was a scrappy but competitive contest but one that the visitors left admitting that they had been fortunate to pick up all three points.

Sherburn were the quicker to settle and Ilkley found themselves on the back foot during the opening ten minutes. Sherburn created very little as Ilkley stifled their opponents' attacking play.

Once the game settled Ilkley began to find their passing and were able to find space in the Sherburn defence.

Ruggiero and Houlston on the wings were effective at getting beyond their full backs but Sherburn were well organised in their defending to prevent Ilkley from scoring.

After 20 minutes Sherburn took the lead in fortunate circumstances when a cross glanced off the head of Adam Davey and looped high into the net beyond Peter Taylor.

It was an unfortunate incident for a player who otherwise had a solid game.

Within moments Ilkley were almost level when Davey met Merrit's corner with a powerful header only to see Jones pull off a tremendous save.

Ilkley were now dominating possession thanks to the hard work of Metcalfe and Rishworth. Moments before the break Ilkley conceded a bizarre free-kick.

Facing his own goal David Taylor tried to head the bobbling ball behind for a corner but was unfortunate in finding his own net.

In pushing more men forward to get back into the game Ilkley exposed themselves defensively and Sherburn scored a third.

Richard Sharpe got Ilkley back into the game with a goal that rewarded his hard work and one that may have prompted an Ilkley revival.

l On Saturday Ilkley Reserves face Ripon City.