Pateley Bridge 0, Ilkley AFC 3

It took extra-time for Ilkley to overcome a stubborn Pateley Bridge team and progress to the semi-finals of the Harrogate League Challenge Cup.

Having played Pateley in the league two weeks ago, the Ilkley players knew the pitch would be poor quality, and the recent spell of wet and cold weather meant it was a bog within minutes of the start. Unlike the league game however, Ilkley players were steeled for a battle, despite the side containing several reserve team players because of continuing absences and injury of senior players.

From the kick-off, Ilkley pressed forward with Barrow and Horne using their strength and pace to stretch the home defence. In midfield, Metcalfe and Rishworth dominated possession and tried to move the ball to wide positions whenever possible. The first chance to open the scoring was created by two consecutive Richardson corners, both of which managed to evade on-rushing Ilkley players seeking to get a finishing touch.

McTigue blasted over the bar and Barrow blazed wide after turning inside Bullough and electing to shoot from a narrow angle when Horne was open in the six yard box.

At the other end, Pateley's attacking threat was confined to breakaways though a slip by Bloom enabled Davison to receive in space but he sliced a 20 yard shot wide as Braithwaite closed him down. Bainbridge in the Ilkley goal had little to do as Bloom and Dixon tidied the occasional threats but the poor pitch conditions meant service to full backs Richardson and Braithwaite was slow and gave time for Pateley players to get into defensive positions.

A 0-0 half-time score pleased Pateley more than Ilkley and in the first five minutes of the second-half the home side forced two corners that Bainbridge dealt with well under pressure.

After this initial burst, the pattern of play followed threat of the first-half with Pateley using off-side and lots of endeavour to defend and Ilkley unable to move the ball quickly enough to break through the defence.

As the half drifted along, Pateley players tired and Ilkley had several chances to clinch the game.

Barrow weaved into the penalty area and saw his low shot deflected wide of the far post. From the corner, Bloom volleyed the dropping ball over from 15 yards, then headed wide from the next corner after a towering leap.

The best chances came after 75 minutes when Horne headed Houlston's cross straight at 'keeper Wilcox and from the rebound some desperate defending saw Barrow's close range shot deflected off the goalline and past the post.

A free-kick by Goodall was Pateley's only real chance to strike at goal and Bainbridge handled the shot confidently before the referee signalled the need for extra-time.

Ilkley needed an early goal to settle the tension creeping into their play after failing to score in regular time, and got the best possible start in the third minute of extra-time.

Winning one of his many challenges with Pateley's Spence, Metcalfe lofted a diagonal pass behind full-back Burton for Houlston to burst through on the right side and outstrip the defence.

Keeping his composure he side-footed the ball wide of the on-rushing Wilcox. A well-taken goal that deflated Pateley and gave Ilkley players renewed confidence.

Five minutes later the game was almost settled when Houlston challenged well to get to Richardson's pass on the edge of the penalty-area and Barrow collected the ball before blasting it past Wilcox with terrific power.

Barrow almost returned the complement two minutes later when he combined with McTigue before bending a low cross into the penalty area, just beyond the runs of Houlston and Horne.

In the second-half of extra-time, Ilkley dominated as Pateley tired even more and found it difficult to gain possession.

Horne and Barrow might have done better to convert Richardson corners before Taylor and Mynett were introduced to keep the momentum going.

Barrow had a narrow angled shot saved by the overworked Wilcox before an excellent sweeping move saw the score-line completed by Paul McTigue in the final five minutes.

Pressure by the inspirational Rishworth allowed Houlston to pass the ball wide to Braithwaite.

His superb first time diagonal pass sent McTigue racing clear and he thumped a left-foot volley across Wilcox and into the net for his first goal of the season.

l On Saturday, Ilkley return to league duty with yet another away game at Addingham. Players meet at the swimming pool at 12.45pm.