Ryburn 2 Ilkley Town 3

ILKLEY marked their return to the West Riding County Cup with a victory that has secured a second-round tie at Brighouse Old Boys.

Ryburn started the game in a workmanlike fashion, pushing high and restricting space, but it was Ilkley who went ahead after 15 minutes.

Ilkley broke quickly from a set piece with Ben Dexter and Richard Schofield combining to create the chance for Damien Smith to slot the ball calmly underneath the goalkeeper.

It wasn't long before Ilkley were further ahead. Richard Schofield found space again on the right, turning his marker before being brought down. Danny Bott stepped up and dispatched the penalty.

Ilkley were in control of the game and another quick break saw Smith and Adam Davey combine for the latter to race clear and clip the bar with a clever chip.

Ilkley stretched their lead on the hour. Good football down the right saw Schofield play the ball back to Dexter, whose first-time ball into space was latched onto by Davey who rounded the goalkeeper for a tap in.

At this point the game looked over, but as so often happens a mistake and a quick goal in the 65th minute saw Ryburn get a new lease of life.

Ilkley began to panic and failed to retain the ball. They conceded a number of set pieces in dangerous areas. In the 75th minute one of these led to chaos in the Ilkley penalty area with the ball bouncing out to the edge of the box, where it was sweetly volleyed into the bottom corner.

The final 15 minutes was a real test of Ilkley's resolve and they had to stand firm as Ryburn poured men forward at every opportunity.

Man of the Match James Hirst was confident and positive with his decision making, this coupled with a much-improved performance from the previous week meant Ilkley saw the game out.