Ilkley full-back Graham Richardson

Ilkley Town 1 Robin Hood 1

The final home game of the season for Ilkley Town, against a resurgent Robin Hood team that has been unbeaten in league competition since November, saw both teams produce a lot of effort and not too much quality on a dry and bumpy pitch that got the better of most players. With both sides needing to win to maintain an interest in the potential third-place promotion spot, Ilkley were grateful to be able to field Guiseley Reserves' goalkeeper Scott Reid in place of Grainger.

The visitors got off to a flying start as Ilkley struggled to match the determination shown by their opponents. A long diagonal free-kick by Needham was glanced wide by Maynard with Reid wondering what his defenders were doing, and the same Robin Hood player should have done better than scuff the ball wide when it was cut-back to him by Tiana. Unable to gain any sustained possession, Ilkley's central defenders Bloom and Trimnell were forced to make some last-ditch challenges, and Steve Hall and Alan Stockdale were forced to help full-backs Graham Richardson and Miles Ratcliffe, as Robin Hood looked to attack down the flanks.

Having weathered the initial storm, Ilkley then showed how dangerous they could be on the break and the Wilson inter-changed passes with James Hannaford before sliding a through ball into the path of Mark Houlston who was blocked in his run to goal by Baker.

Ilkley took the lead against the run-of-play after 25 minutes, and what a goal it was. Determined challenging by Hannaford forced Needham into a hasty clearance that was picked up by Wilson who threaded the ball to the edge of the penalty area where Houlston's first-time lay-off was thundered into the top corner by Briggs. A rare show of high quality on a day when high bounces, slices and bobbles was more frequent.

Ilkley hung on to the lead until half-time with some committed defending and a fine save by Reid. Stockdale made a crucial block in one goalmouth melee and Robin Hood wasted three corners as the half concluded. Ilkley conceded a sloppy equaliser in the opening ten minutes of the second-half.

Andy Bloom showed his competitive nature with a second-half performance reminiscent of the form that has eluded him for most of the season. Aided by Trimnell's determined tackling and covering, Bloom dominated in the air and was supported by Briggs and Wilson who fought for midfield knock-downs all afternoon.

The second-half was not a pretty sight for the neutral but nail-biting for both sets of coaching staff and Ilkley might have snatched victory when Hannaford's free-kick was clearly handled by Baker who raised his hands to block the ball, and with ten minutes remaining Hannaford sent Blenkhorn through on goal but the ball wouldn't settle. In delaying his shot, the lkley forward's shot was blocked by Tosney.

At the other end, Tiana sliced wide and Ratcliffe was brave to head clear when caught by a flaying elbow from a Robin Hood substitute. Reid handled with confidence when collecting shots by Tiana and Maynard, and showed good decision-making when punching clear from long crosses into the box.

The final result didn't really help either side who are now reliant on the outcome of other team's games.

Ilkley Town's final game of the season will hopefully be played on Saturday at Old Headingley(2.30pm).

10:26am Monday 28th April 2008

Print   Email this   Comment