Burley Trojans 0

Ilkley AFC 1

Ilkley took the honours in an intriguing Wharfedale Cup tie to progress into the semi-finals at the expense of their local rivals Burley Trojans.

In a tight encounter one goal always looked likely to be enough and it was a super strike from Bruce Hogg early in the second-half which settled the tie in favour of the visitors.

Trojans were quickly out of the blocks and exerted all the early pressure. Stuart Copley's cross was prodded narrowly wide by Jonny Lofthouse and Nick Quaife rose well to meet a Kieren Hanogue free-kick but his looping header was well fielded by Nigel Muttick.

The visitors gradually began to find their feet and when David Knox's teasing cross reached Simon Tweddle at the far post the young midfielder somehow put his effort the wrong side of the post. Knox was also guilty of a glaring miss.

Trojans' forwards were well marshalled by Ilkley's defensive pairing of Andy Bloom and Matthew Trimnell. On a rare occasion that they were caught square Gareth Goodison raced clear only to be pulled back as referee Neil Barlow had awarded his side a free-kick when there was a clear advantage.

Goodison was again involved when he wriggled free on the right and crossed for Quaife to head just over.

Trojans had a wonderful opportunity to go into the break with the lead when Quaife again connected with a Hanogue free-kick to divert the ball into the path of Copley six yards out but he somehow managed to sky the ball into the trees and the chance was gone.

The miss was to prove costly as the visitors caught Trojans cold at the start of the second period. In the first minute of the half a Trojans' attack broke down and an incisive left wing move saw Hogg strike a stunning drive which flew past Hargreaves and in off the far post.

Trojans' response was immediate and from Chris Connolly's corner centre-half Stuart Dibb outjumped Tweddle to power a header past Muttick but Knox, helping out his defence, cleared to safety.

Ilkley started to dominate but created little in the way of serious goal attempts with Hanogue picking up match point for a mature and assured performance at the heart of the Trojans' defence.

Trojans believed that they had levelled on the hour but were denied by a bizarre refereeing decision. Lofthouse's high corner from the right brushed an overhanging branch of a tree behind the goal and Muttick could only fumble the ball over his own line before it was scrambled to safety. The ball had clearly not gone out of play but the referee awarded a goal kick.

The referee's decisions caused frustration among the home ranks. The yellow card given to Lofthouse when he had clearly tried to pull out of a challenge on the slippery surface seemed unjust and he also cautioned full-backs, Chris Lockwood and Ian McKain for dissent whilst allowing similar offences by Ilkley to go unpunished.

With Trojans pushing forward in search of an equaliser they became stretched and Hogg fired over when well placed and both Steve Hall and James Wilson were off target from equally promising positions.

l Trojans have an early chance to make amends when the sides meet again at Ilkley in a top-of-the-table Harrogate League battle on Saturday. Kick-off at West Holmes Field is 2.15pm. Trojans' players should meet at Burley Cricket Club at 1.15pm.

Wellington 1

Trojans Reserves 5

Five goals in the last 25 minutes enabled Trojans Reserves to maintain their lead at the top of the table. In a bizarre twist three of the Trojans' goal came from Wellington players with the home side in generous mood.

In truth the scoreline flatters the Burley side and Gary Shankland's men have developed a habit of winning whilst not playing well.

Wellington are bottom of the table, but played much better than their lowly position might suggest.

The first-half was as dire as the weather and the league leaders were sluggish creating very little. They had to wait until late in the half before Shankland headed just over and 'keeper Bullock was rarely troubled.

The second-half was really no better for 20 minutes before the game exploded into life. The dangerous Phil Constantine crossed for Shankland to slide the ball under Bullock.

Wellington responded positively and Steve Walmsley levelled. Trojans' midfield stepped up a gear and, with the influential Rob Wheeler in the thick of things, the visitors took the initiative. Wellington's John Rixon, attempting to pass back from 30 yards, watched in horror as the ball eluded his 'keeper and ended up in the net.

Man-of-the-Match Wheeler found James Hoskin whose shot cannoned off a post and struck the hapless Bullock before rebounding into the net. Shankland grabbed his second from a Wheeler pass and a bullet header produced another own goal for Trojans' fifth.

l The Reserves are at home to Clifford and Bramham on Saturday in the first round of the League Medal, kick-off 2pm. Players meet at the Cricket Club at 1.15pm.