Bruce hogs the limelight as he strikes the winner in cup battle

Ilkley 1

A thoroughly deserved victory for the Booth's sponsored Ilkley AFC against local rivals Burley that sends them into the semi-finals of the Wharfedale Challenge Cup.

Though the margin of victory was slender the Ilkley side dominated the second-half after an evenly matched first-half and should have added to Bruce Hogg's winning goal as Burley tired on a boggy pitch.

Burley forced the early pace putting the visitors under pressure with long balls into the penalty-area, a profitable tactic on a poor playing surface that deteriorated as the game progressed.

Despite this early pressure, Burley did not force Muttick into a save and it was Burley 'keeper Hargreaves who faced the first challenge when Knox's cross just eluded Tweddle's slide and the youngster headed over at the far post from Richardson's free-kick.

Hall's free-kick was charged down before Hoyle screwed the ball wide from a central position, and Hargreaves spread himself well to block Knox's close range shot. Burley's attacking opportunities came from set pieces as Trimnell and Bloom dealt competently with Connolly and Goodison.

The nearest the home side came to scoring was when Ilkley failed to clear Hanogue's free-kick and the ball fell kindly for Copley to blast over the bar from ten yards. A miss that was to prove costly as the game progressed.

As the first-half settled into a pattern it was Ilkley who looked more purposeful with Wilson getting more involved in midfield and Hogg threatening with his trickery on the left.

A 0-0 half-time score was probably a fair refection of the game that tended to see defenders gain the benefit of a slippery pitch with forwards finding it difficult to twist and turn to fashion scoring chances.

A half-time reminder of the value of spreading the ball wide paid early dividends for Ilkley in the second-half as Hogg stung the home side within two minutes of the re-start.

Linking well with Hoyle, the Guiseley Academy player cut behind the Burley full-back before drilling the ball across Hargreaves and into the net off the inside of the far-post.

A stunning goal that forced Burley to commit players forward and in doing so enabled Ilkley to fashion a several more chances to increase the lead.

Hoyle headed Bloom's free-kick over the bar before Hogg unleashed a thunderbolt that flew inches too high with Hargreaves admiring the strike. Tweddle shot wide from the edge of the penalty-area and the industrious Hall forced Dibb into a desperate block tackle.

Reduced to sporadic breakaways, Burley's only hope of an equaliser came from set-pieces and Dibb was frustrated when Richardson cleared his looping header off the goal-line.

This was to prove Burley's final chance as Ilkley 'keeper Muttick did not have a shot to save in the second-half.

Meanwhile, Hoyle and Hall proved a constant threat to Burley and former Trojan, Jonno Hughes entered the fray after 70 minutes to add further pressure on the home team.

From his first cross, Hoyle headed straight at Hargreaves from six yards before Hogg's low cross was deflected away from Hughes as he shaped to shoot.

With Wilson and Tweddle commanding in midfield, Ilkley always looked threatening going forwards as Hall and Hogg shot wide from the edge of the penalty-area.

As Mr Barlow blew the final whistle, Ilkley were the deserved winners though both teams showed great effort in difficult conditions, and the game was played in a competitive but friendly spirit.

l On Saturday, the two teams meet again in a top-of-the-table league encounter at West Holmes field, Ilkley (KO 2.15pm). The two teams are currently first and second in the Harrogate Premier League and the Ilkley player should meet at the cricket club at 1.15pm.

Trojans players should meet at Burley Cricket Club at 1.15pm.

OtleyYew Tree 2

Ilkley Reserves 3

The Ilkley Reserve team continued their winning streak with a 3-2 victory at Otley Yew Tree in a game that exploded into controversy late in the second-half.

The home team players seemed to lose sight of the purpose of the game with five of their players being sent off in the final 20 minutes as the game capitulated into a brawl.

Referee Taylor abandoned the game with two minutes remaining as the home players walked off the field of play.