Kirkby Malzeard 1, Ilkley AFC 5

Having elected to move the fixture to their opponents ground late on Saturday morning because of waterlogged conditions at West Holmes Ilkley AFC demolished title-chasing Kirkby Malzeard for the second time in three weeks to progress to the semi-finals of the Harrogate Senior Cup.

Eager to play rather than miss another Saturday game, the Ilkley players faced a home side keen to avenge the previous defeat on a pitch that was playable by slippery and muddy.

By the end of the game the pitch was to resemble a paddyfield but credit must go to Kirkby for seeking to play the fixture. Thankfully, in a robust and committed contest, there were no injuries other than to the home side's pride as Ilkley played a gear higher than last week at Tockwith.

The early exchanges saw Kirkby playing a five-man midfield to combat Ilkley's engine-room of Knox and Giles, leaving only Abbott to forage up front. This allowed Ilkley to attack through full-backs Tweddle and Richardson, with Stockdale a constant menace in his wide-strikers role.

Though Kirkby forced two early corners, it was Ilkley who took the lead in the tenth minute when Hall showed deft footwork in the Kirkby penalty area to unbalance two defenders before blasting the ball past Scatcherd from 12 yards.

This spurred the home team to push forwards as Ilkley players began to get a little complacent in expectation of another easy win. Abbott headed wide at the near-post, Ilkley 'keeper Smith tipped an corner to safety and Bloom did well to block a close range shot before a superb break lead to a second Ilkley goal after 30 minutes.

Tweddle and Williams combined to feed Hoyle in the centre circle, a first time pass sent Hall racing clear on the right and from his low driven cross Hoyle slid the ball past Scatcherd.

Thereafter, Ilkley sought to end the contest by half-time as Hoyle headed over from ten yards. The overworked Scatcherd gathered Knox's shot safely, before he made a superb save from Richardson after the Ilkley full-back had run 50 yards beating three players in the process only to see the goalkeeper tip his final shot for a corner.

A 2-0 half-time lead was not quite the cushion Ilkley merited, though at times and particularly from set-pieces, Kirkby showed the potential to score.

The first 20 minutes of the second-half would decide the game and, after an earlier catastrophe, Ilkley dominated, gaining in confidence and playing some delightful football on a very difficult surface.

However, Kirkby were offered a chance to get back into the game in the 50th minute when Knox's unnecessary long distance pass back didn't reach goalkeeper Smith and Abbott nipped in to score for Kirkby.

Clearly upset, the Ilkley midfielder proceeded to make amends and had storming final 40 minutes. Breaking up a Kirkby attack on the edge of his own penalty area, Knox broke forward before sending Hoyle clear on the left. Hoyle's cross eluded Hall but Wilson, following-up at the far post, drilled the ball low past Scatcherd.

This signalled the beginning of the end for Kirkby who became increasingly ragged and fractious. Dunkley was fortunate to stay on the field after a series of poorly timed tackles, one of which saw Richardson's free-kick gathered by Hoyle and as his shot was blocked, Hall bundled the rebound past Scatcherd.

With Bloom and Williams mopping-up any occasional Kirkby breaks, Ilkley streamed forwards with substitutes Hughes and Hey causing more problems for the home side.

Stockdale made it five after 80 minutes when he confidently converted Hoyle's low cross from 12 yards. In the next attack he blazed wide when well placed, before Hoyle almost glanced Hughes's cross inside the far-post.

Kirkby players were grateful for the final whistle having faced the determined and competitive face of Ilkley yet again. This is the face that Ilkley players need to show against all opponents until the season is ended.

l On Saturday, Ilkley are in cup action once again, visiting Spa Athletic in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup (kick-off 2.30pm, players meet at the swimming pool at 12.50pm).