Greetland AFC 0 Ilkley Town 3

ILKLEY Town eased into the third round of the West Riding County Cup after safely negotiating a tricky away tie at Halifax.

A narrow and sloping hilltop pitch plus wet and windy conditions presented the players with a real challenge.

The early exchanges were littered with mistakes as both teams took time to get used to both the pitch and the conditions.

Ilkley settled the quicker of the two teams, but far too often they rushed the pass or chose a longer option meaning the game was a scrappy affair.

Ilkley needed a goal to settle them down and the breakthrough came in the 33rd minute. Matt Cressey delivered a corner from the right, James Wilson flicked on and Danny Henderson made no mistake from five yards out. Ilkley now seemed more confident and started to pass the ball a little better and managed to make it to half time with their lead intact.

Unfortunately goalkeeper Alex Wormall felt unwell and needed replacing. Ben Dexter donned the gloves as Ilkley re-shuffled with Connor Greenwood entering the fray. Ilkley were much improved in the second half, making better decisions and playing sharper, more incisive football.

Although they never truly looked in danger of losing their lead it took until the 73rd minute for the game to be put beyond the reach of Greetland. Danny Bott delivered a cross to the near post which was controlled by Connor Greenwood before his lay off to the left foot of Rich Schofield, who found the top corner.

Ilkley put the gloss on their win minutes later when they scored a third goal. Matt Cressey and Rich Schofield played a quick short corner before finding Danny Bott on the edge of the penalty area. His cross to the far post was volleyed home by Henderson for his second of the game.

Having negotiated a potential banana skin safely, Ilkley face a huge test this Saturday when they play

last season's Premier Division title winners Field AFC in the League Cup at Ben Rhydding (1.30pm).