Sharpe nets six in Ilkley Reserves goal spree

Barwick 1

Against a much weakened Barwick side Guyson sponsored Ilkley Reserves took the opportunity to go on a goal scoring spree.

Ilkley took the lead as early as the second minute through Sharpe and he had completed his hat-trick by the seventh minute.

Good interplay from Tod, Convey and Stewart down the right and Merritt, Clarke and Martin down the left carved out more opportunities and Sharpe could have doubled his tally before half-time as it was he did add one further goal from a flowing passing move involving Rishworth, Convey and Martin.

Barwick did muster a reply before half-time through Chalmers after Ilkley failed to clear an inswinging corner.

To the credit of the Barwick side they came out fighting in the second half and did cause problems for Ilkley, however, most attacks were snuffed out by the makeshift defence of Tod, Davey, Martin Taylor and Merritt and anything that got through was saved well by Tankard.

As the half progressed the free flowing football of the young Ilkley side gradually wore down the tiring Barwick players and the lead was extended through Martin, Rishworth and two further strikes from Sharpe taking his personal total to six.

Martin was replaced by the fresh legs of Turnbull who went on to complete a 25 minute hat-trick from the penalty spot after Sharpe had been brought down following one of his mazy runs on a very tired defence.

The introduction of Ruggier and Pugh helped maintain the momentum and Ilkley completed the scoring through debutant Convey.

Although they were playing against a side weakened by unavailability this young side played assured football and displayed clinical finishing when opportunities arose which augers well so early in the season.

Ilkley U-10 Yellows 5

Lawnswood Lasers 0

Ilkley U-10s kicked of their season in determined fashion. In the first of the two matches the players demonstrated their appetite to work hard as a team and now showed a more mature appreciation of positional play.

William Atkins played a pivotal role through the centre. Two of his fierce long range strikes almost succeeded in breaking the deadlock. The opening goal followed a spell of sustained Ilkley pressure and an unfortunate deflection from a home defender. A second goal followed before half-time with Dominic Wilson holding of his defender and confidently firing home.

In the second-half Lawnswood tried hard to get back into the match but faced the highly effective defensive pairing of James Bullock and Alex Smith. In goal new find Sam Rowley played with confidence and composure and pulled of key saves.

Another Dominic Wilson strike and two from Michael Haynes gave Ilkley the resounding win their play deserved.

In the following match a closely- fought contest ended in a somewhat unfortunate 1-0 loss. Matthew Newsome was commanding in defence and Jack Buckley and William Leonard made impressive contributions.