A HAT-TRICK from Benji Claydon sealed a hard-fought victory for Ilkley Juniors under-17s against a lively Wetherby side in the Harrogate & District Junior League.
Ilkley were 3-1 down at half-time to the side who were level with them on points in the table.
Claydon opened the scoring after only three minutes but Wetherby equalised when a free-kick from just outside the box took a deflection to beat keeper Matt Miller.
Wetherby then turned on the pressure and another free-kick and a long shot saw them build a two-goal cushion at the interval.
But the half-time talk from the Ilkley coach clearly energised the home side, who came out with purpose and determination.
Claydon scored his second eight minutes in and in the 73rd minute, when Wetherby failed to clear a corner, James Webb connected with the ball to equalise.
The winner came from a long clearance from Dan Weston. Alex McPherson brought down the ball and slipped it to Claydon, who despatched it coolly past the Wetherby keeper to claim three points and take them to the top of the table.
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