BOLSTERED by senior team players, Knaresborough Reserves were able to record an impressive 4-0 victory over Ilkley Town.

Their main side stormed their way to the NCEL Division One title this season, which sits just one step above the West Yorkshire Premier.

With the first team fixtures done, the reserves had the pleasure of being able to feature several members of that title-winning side against Ilkley.

Knaresborough quickly went on the attack, but found clear cut chances hard to come by in the opening 20 minutes against a well-organised Ilkley side.

Paul Atkinson would see the hosts' best chance, as James Hirst parried away his ball into the box before James Wilson cleared the follow-up off the line.

Wilson would then see an effort of his own cleared off the line, as his header looked destined for the bottom corner.

Shortly after, Knaresborough would take the lead, as Graham Whitehead whipped the ball into the six yard area for Ben Parkes to nod home.

Just before half-time, Knaresborough grabbed their second, as Parkes turned provider and crossed for Colin Heath to head in from close range.

The game would grind to somewhat of a halt during the second half with few chances for either side. As Ilkley's belief began to fade however, Knaresborough would make a late surge.

First, substitute Frazier Lancaster's effort would take a fortuitous deflection into the net for 3-0, before Lancaster netted again as he won the race to the ball against Hirst, chipping the stranded keeper to make it 4-0 at full-time.

Reflecting on the defeat, Ilkley manager Simon Armstrong said: "4-0 was probably an unfair reflection of the game, perhaps two would have been fairer.

"Overall, they were the better side, but I was pleased that we had five or six teenagers out there due to the number of injuries we have, they played really well and put in a good shift.

"We have to focus on the positives. The main one being we were far better than against Sherburn last week where we were simply awful. The improvements today give us a good platform going into the Huddersfield Amateur game next week."