Ilkley Town 4 Altofts 1

THE Ben Rhydding pitch was in great conditions as Ilkley Town marked their return to action with a win.

The match was one of only three to go ahead in Division One and Town made a sluggish start.

Ilkley tried to build from the back while Altofts played a more direct game. There were chances at both ends before Ilkley took the lead with a goal by Lu Ndovi, who was deputising for up front for the suspended Adam Fowler.

Ndovi got across his marker at the near post to head home a perfect cross from Danny Bott.

It wasn't long until Altofts were back on level terms. In the 25th minute, Ilkley were dispossessed trying to play their way out of defence. Altofts played the ball forward quickly and striker Matthew Leadbeater struck low into the bottom corner.

Ilkley regained the lead within minutes. They worked the ball out wide to Ben Dexter who put in a great cross. When the ball was cleared to Jack Murray he mis-hit his shot towards the goal.

Fortunately it fell straight to Ross Hutchison who turned and struck the ball into the bottom corner, giving Ilkley a 2-1 lead heading into the break.

In the second half Ilkley stepped up their game. They extended their lead in the 55th minute when a sweeping move was halted when Ndovi was brought down in the penalty area. He stepped up to slot the penalty into the bottom left-hand corner.

The game became stretched and further goals looked likely.

Fortunately Ilkley finished the game with ten minutes remaining. Again Ilkley found space out wide and put in another wonderful delivery. Connor Greenwood had the intelligence to head the ball back across the goal where Hutchison was on hand to net his second of the game.

Town will face a sterner test at Wyke Wanderers on Saturday.