Ilkley Town Ladies 3 Thornes 2

ILKLEY started their campaign with a win but the margin of victory should have been wider.

Having lost a number of players to university, it was always going to be difficult for the team to gel immediately.

They got off to a flying start though, with two goals of the highest quality. The first arrived after only two minutes and involved some 20 passes, from Stevie Hodgson to Ellie Oates, through to Gemma Croft and across the back line of Naomi Barstow-Hills, to Charlotte Hill and then to Hanna Spivey before Katie Barstow-Hills played in Martina Stenlund, who fired past the keeper for her first goal on her league debut.

After seven minutes Ilkley doubled their lead and it would be fair to say that Thornes had hardly seen the ball, such was the quality of Ilkley's passing. Stenlund was again the scorer, finished with aplomb.

Ilkley continued to dominate but they conceded a soft goal as one of the Thornes players turned her marker and fired past Charlotte Quatrine.

lkley then got embroiled in a physical battle and lost some of their fluency and shape, though Cleo Oldham and Gemma Croft both went close with shots.

Thornes equalised when a simple pass went astray and they ran through to score.

Shortly before half-time Ilkley went 3-2 in front after Barstow-Hills sent Gemma Croft free and she ran past two defenders before slotting home.

The second half saw Holly Carter go close and, but for an excellent one-handed save by the Thornes keeper, Ilkley would have doubled their lead.

Leah Millward made her debut and showed promise and Quatrine made a superb fingertip save to prevent an equaliser.

Anyone wanting to become involved with girls/ladies football in the Ilkley area at any level should contact Tony on 07709-313528 for more details.