Ilkley Town 1 Horbury Town 3

Defensive errors cost Ilkley Town the points in a hard-fought West Yorkshire Division One game.

Both sides had little to play for in the league but do have their eyes on forthcoming cup finals.

Despite taking a hard- earned lead Ilkley were made to pay dearly for a 15-minute spell in which poor team discipline and individual errors lead to three Horbury goals. The first half was one of few clear chances with neither goalkeeper being overly worked. Ilkley went closest to opening the scoring with a well-worked move culminating in a low drilled shot from the tireless Phil Thommesen, which was tipped round the post by the stretching Horbury keeper.

Ilkley had a number of promising set-piece situa- tions but didn’t take advan- tage of some teasing crosses from Joe Hendrie.

The second half started in much the same way until Ilkley went ahead. Horbury failed to deal with a testing delivery into the box from the left flank.

Their centre back mistimed his clearance on the penalty spot and sliced the ball backwards where Thommesen took a touch before prodding a shot past the onrushing goalkeeper. Unfortunately the football cliché that you are most vulnerable when you have just scored has never been truer than in this game.

Fifteen minutes of poor team discipline and individual errors followed Ilkley’s opener and saw Horbury Town strike back with three quick goals.

Ilkley’s attention now turns to a home game against FC Riasa on Saturday with this being the last opportunity for players to get themselves into the manager’s starting 11 for the cup final on Monday at Guiseley.