Ilkley 1 Kellingley 0

Ilkley continued their recent run of good results by beating Kellingley Welfare 1-0 on Saturday afternoon, but will be dismayed that the result wasn't more comprehensive.

New signing Ian Briggs was handed a debut in the middle of midfield in the absence of David Knox, which meant the reliable Graham Richardson was handed the captaincy. Ilkley started brightly down the left flank, with young Ben Convey showing no fear by looking to take on his opponent at every opportunity. He gave the visiting full-back a torrid time, which was highlighted by the fact that the defender was substituted at half- time.

Ilkley were completely dominant during the opening 45 minutes but on occasion were guilty of affording Kellingley's forwards too much time on the ball. These moments were too few and far between however, and it seemed only a matter of time before Ilkley opened the deadlock.

The best effort of the first-half came from Damian Smith. Martin Taylor fed the ball into his feet on the edge of the box, and the skillful forward managed to hold off a

defender, turn onto his left foot and fire a low shot towards the 'keeper's right hand post. The 'keeper pulled off a fine save, which was one of many in the first-half.

Smith went close again as he connected with a corner but his marker was equal to the task and blocked the shot from a yard out to deny Ilkley once more.

To their credit, Ilkley kept plugging away and never looked like getting frustrated. Briggs was marshalling the midfield very proficiently, and made a number of forging runs forward which very nearly resulted in a debut goal, but each time he was thwarted by the goalkeeper.

Kellingley had been playing at 100 per cent and were still only hanging on to the

0-0 scoreline by a thread at half-time. Ilkley didn't give the visitors any respite during the 15 minutes after the interval either, immediately pushing forward and probing the tiring defence.

The inevitable goal eventually came on the hour mark. Good work by Smith and Taylor created space for Briggs inside the centre circle, and his slide-rule pass was perfectly weighted for the run of James Wilson who had cut in from the right wing. With defenders closing in and no alternative options, he had a crack from outside the area and was elated as the powerful effort dipped under the bar.

From that moment on, Ilkley assumed the victory was theirs, and relinquished their stranglehold slightly, which gave the visitors some encouragement. Rather than put the game beyond doubt, the home side appeared to settle for the 1-0 win, and only had to resist a fleeting five minute spell of pressure from Kellingley as they desperately tried in vain to salvage a point.

A second clean sheet in three games will hearten goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who has looked very accomplished since his inclusion three games ago.

Ilkley travel to Robin Hood Athletic this weekend, and will need to draw on their recent run of good form as they were trounced 5-2 at home earlier in the season. Ilkley struggled to cope with their opponents' pace on that day, particularly down the flanks, and will need a much more focussed effort if they are to avoid defeat and stay ahead of their rivals in the league standings.

Following the recent run of form, a fourth place finish seems a distinct possibility for Ilkley this season, which would be a tremendous result following their promotion from Division Two last year.