Altofts 1 Ilkley Town 3

A strong and disciplined performance by Ilkley Town secured three points in their quest for a top-four finish in Division One of the West Yorkshire League..

A goal in each half by Danny Henderson and one by Phil Thommesen sealed the victory as Ilkley coped well with a bumpy pitch and energetic opponents.

After last week’s disappointment of losing the League Cup quarter-final tie to Horbury, Ilkley’s players responded positively with a brisk start.

AHenderson cross just eluded Adam Fowler and Joe Hendrie at the far-post.

In the absence of Darren Munday, skipper James Winward was a combative presence in midfield and he almost opened Ilkley’s account when he burst onto a pass from Adam Davey but saw ‘keeper Wright deflect his shot inches wide of the far post.

Undeterred, Winward played a part in the opening goal after 20 minutes when his precise pass allowed Henderson to run beyond the last defender and poke the ball past Matthew Wright before pushing it into the net as two defenders chased back towards the goal-line.

Ilkley ‘keeper James Hirst had little to do as Ben Dexter and Andy Bloom organised the defence, but he was grateful to see a lob from Daniel Jarvis drift over the bar.

After 30 minutes, Ilkley doubled the lead with a fine goal as Hendrie burst down the right wing leaving the Altofts full-back in his wake.

He directed a low cross into the path of Thommesen who stroked the ball wide of Wright.

It was a fine goal on a difficult surface and Ilkley might have had more as Davey pulled a shot wide after forcing his way into the penalty-area.

A 2-0 half-time lead was well deserved and Ilkley needed to maintain the same pressure and commitment to avoid allowing Altofts a glimmer of hope.

Inevitably, the home side sought to compete for possession more forcefully after the break having been second to the ball for most of the opening period.

Ilkley had a stroke of luck after 50 minutes when Hirst parried a free-kick and Jarvis flicked the rebound over the bar.

This was timely reminder for Ilkley players who made a lack-lustre start to the second-half.

Just as the visitors began to exert authority again, Altofts scored when a free-kick from a wide position by Hussain was missed by James Wilson and the ball drift into the net.

This galvanised the home side but, thankfully, Ilkley responded immed- iately when Thommesen’s first-time pass was perfectly placed to send Henderson racing towards goal.

As he entered the penalty-area he curled the ball wide of the onrushing Wright for Ilkley’s third goal.

The visitors might have added to the score as Davey and Fowler were foiled by the overworked Wright, and substitute Chris Alderson showed neat touches as he makes his way back from injury.