Henderson’s late strike is a winner for Town (From Ilkley Gazette)

Henderson’s late strike is a winner for Town

11:38am Thursday 4th October 2012 in Sport By David Houlston

Ilkley Town 2 Old Modernians 1

Ilkley Town moved into the West Yorkshire League Division One’s top-five after defeating their high-flying rivals.

Second-half goals by Ross Hutchison and Danny Henderson rewarded a fine performance by the home side against opponents who suffered one sending-off and committed a rash of robust challenges.

Fine goalkeeping by Old Modernians goalie Day kept the visitors in the game as Ilkley dominated possession on a breezy afternoon with James Winward dictating the tempo in midfield and full backs James Hanna and Dave Hancock pressing forwards at every opportunity.

Ilkley striker Adam Davey blasted wide from the edge of the box after racing on to a long pass from Darren Munday and Damian Smith turned his marker on the edge of the box but clipped the ball high over the crossbar.

Old Modernians found it difficult to maintain possession but looked dangerous at set-pieces and Lewis headed wide at the far-post before being sent-off after 35 minutes when he swung a punch at Winward.

As is often the case, this spurred the 10-men onto greater endeavour and the first-half ended goalless despite Ilkley dominating possession.

The second-half needed Ilkley to maintain a high-tempo of passing and switch play as often as possible to take advantage of the extra- player but it was Old Modernians who set the pace with a series of long-throws and corners that were unconvincingly cleared by Ilkley.

The visitors struggled to break through the Ilkley defence that was well marshalled by Darren Munday and Ben Dexter, and set-pieces caused the most problems for the home team.

Despite prior warnings, Ilkley conceded the first goal after 65 minutes when Old Modernian players showed greater determination at a long-throw and poor marking allowed Lewis to head past James Hirst.

Ilkley responded splendidly and Day made a superb diving save to claw away Wilson’s swerving shot before the same player saw his header from Damian Smith’s corner-kick cleared off the line.

Minutes later, Davey’s glance at the near-post from a Henderson corner was stabbed in at the far-post by Hutchison.

Ilkley took the lead in the 80th minute when Henderson crashed home a 25-yarder that cannoned into the net from the inside of the post.

On Saturday, Town face league newcomers Shelley (2.30pm).