Ilkley 5 Woodhouse Hill 2

Ilkley AFC were able to build on last week's victory by completing the league double over Woodhouse Hill at West Holmes Playing Field on Saturday.

Local traffic problems caused the kick-off to be delayed by more than 30 minutes and the match began at an understandably hectic pace with neither team able to take hold of the game and control the tempo.

In amongst the hustle and bustle, Ilkley were looking more threatening and they took the lead after just ten minutes. Good work down the right involving David Knox and Jimmy Hannaford released James Wilson, whose dangerous low cross was converted at the far post by Mark Houlston.

Ilkley began to settle and use the ball with more purpose but were frustrated in the final third by mis-placed passes and stout defending.

The second goal was added within the opening half hour and was a direct result of the tireless efforts of Ian Briggs in the heart of Ilkley's midfield.

His closing down inside the opponents' half resulted in a blocked clearance falling kindly for Houlston on the edge of the Woodhouse area, and the in-form striker lifted a perfectly weighted lob over the onrushing goalkeeper who was left flapping at thin air.

The main danger at the other end came from set pieces, and before the end of the first half Woodhouse managed to cause a few problems by firing in long throws and free-kicks from all angles.

On one occasion when a free-kick was flicked into the box, the visitors centre-forward managed to lose his marker but was thwarted by the alert Dean Henderson in Ilkley's goal.

Ilkley were looking comfortable but never got out of second gear. It was this complacency that nearly led to their undoing but not before they added a third goal of real quality. Richardson took an in-swinging corner and Hannaford made a near post run and connected perfectly to fire the ball into the roof of the net.

It was at this point the game went through a metamorphosis, and with Ilkley resting on their laurels and Woodhouse Hill becoming even more determined, the away team began to exert a little pressure. Another long ball forward was flicked on into the area and with the hosts' defence static, desperately appealing for off-side, the Woodhouse forward took full advantage by placing a finish inside the far upright.

Within minutes the game was once more in the balance as Woodhouse scored a carbon copy of their first goal following more indecision and lacklustre defending by the home team.

This warning shot was all Ilkley needed and they responded emphatically with Wilson racing onto a Houlston through ball to smash home, restoring the two goal cushion. In the final moments Wilson added a fifth, with Matt Trimnell the architect.

l Ilkley have no game this Saturday but return to West Holmes on April 8, to face Sherburn WR.