Ilkley Town 7 Featherstone 2

ILKLEY produced their biggest win of the season to take over the leadership of West Yorkshire Division One on Saturday.

Ilkley started well, passing the ball and shifting it across the back four, creating opportunities to switch the play and move the opposition around.

Daniel Bott, playing in his favoured right wing role, found space after 20 minutes.

With the keeper off his line he struck from 30 yards and his shot dipped beneath the crossbar.

Ilkley continued to press well and Jack Murray caused problems with a few direct runs.

It was Richard Schofield’s direct run and shot from distance that resulted in the second goal.

Next to exploit the keeper’s weakness with long-range shot swas Andy Bloom. He carried the ball from defence and with the opposition dropping off, he let fly from 40 yards.

The ball struck the keeper and rebounded to Damien Smith who netted.

Ilkley started the second half sloppily and Featherstone opened their account with a free kick which went through the Ilkley wall on its way to the net.

Within minutes it was 3-2. Poor marking allowed Featherstone a free header which bounced off the floor and in off the bar.

Ilkley’s crazy 15 minutes also saw a glancing header smash the side netting.

Ilkley increased their energy and intensity again with Andy Bloom finding Adam Fowler with his back to goal. Fowler took the ball down well and turned from 18 yards to smash home.

With 20 minutes remaining, Schofield added his second. Picking the ball up on halfway he let fly from 25 yards, straight into the top corner.

To add real gloss to the result Smith scored his second and substitute Adam Davey got his first goal, in his first appearance in over a season, to make the end result a comprehensive 7-2 win.