Stanley cut short Ilkley's unbeaten run (From Ilkley Gazette)

Stanley cut short Ilkley's unbeaten run

7:00am Thursday 30th August 2012 in Sport

Stanley United 1 Ilkley Town 0

Town’s unbeaten start to their West Yorkshire Division One campaign came to an end on Saturday.

They lost to a solitary goal against a Stanley side who have now taken seven points from their first three games.

Town were without four players who had been involved in the previous game at Baildon, but welcomed new-signing Joe Hendrie from Otley Town into the squad for his debut game.

This was another robust physical challenge for Ilkley and once again the defenders stood up to the test.

On a surprisingly dry pitch, neither side could gain dominance in midfield where Ilkley missed the injured James Winward.

Adam Davey and James Wilson were both making their first starts of the season and looked a little rusty as the home side sought a direct approach.

In contrast, Ilkley’s passing needed to be quicker and more accurate.

Damian Smith saw a curling shot well-saved before racing beyond his full-back but was unable to get his cross past a covering defender.

As the first-half was drawing to a close, Stanley scored the only goal of the game when a far-post cross eluded Ben Dexter and was lashed high into the net by the Stanley left-winger.

It was a rare lapse by a player who has made a fine start to the season.

The second-half mirrored the first with Ilkley unable to cut a way through a sturdy home defence despite having a greater share of possession.

In the final 20 minutes the game became stretched as both sides tired.

Ilkley’s Peter Crook produced a close-range save and Darren Munday blocked the follow-up shot as Stanley threatened to get a second goal.

Smith smashed a volley wide and Hendrie almost stole a point for Ilkley after a goalmouth scramble in the final minute.