ILKLEY Town Juniors U-11s have had success in recent tournaments and are now preparing for the new winter campaign and they gained a convincing win over Thackley in their second friendly of the summer since lifting the Plate Trophy in the Filey Cup.

Ilkley conceded an early goal but within a minute Will Giles picked up a free-kick from Benji Claydon and looped it over the ’keeper. Ilkley kept up the pressure and further strikes from Laurence Dunne added two more goals.

Matt Miller slotted in a fourth, and Laurence added another from an accurate delivery by Will Giles. Thackley scored a second, and would have had a third but for the powerful shot hitting the bar. Soon after it was Giles’ turn to find the back of the net and it was 6-2.

Thackley scored twice more before Ilkley found the target four more times in the last ten minutes. Despite the score, there were fine saves from both ’keepers in an exciting game.

In their first 11-a-side competition, Ilkley U-11s lifted the Plate Trophy in the Filey Cup 2009 tournament. Some spirited performances over two days and eight games, all played at Bridlington, saw the team, which had played only two friendly 11-a-side matches before, score 12 goals with eight against.

The final game was a comfortable 3-0 win. Then an agonising wait until rivals Cramlington played their last match. They managed only a draw and that meant Ilkley finished on top by two points.

Ilkley had in fact lost their first games on both the Saturday and Sunday, but the coach’s pep talk was obviously effective and Ilkley closed each day with a 3-0 win.

The Saturday started badly with an unfortunate 2-0 defeat by Arnold Town. Ilkley weren’t outclassed, they simply hadn’t got into their stride. The team’s confidence was boosted by the results of the next two games, a 2-0 win over Sandiacre Red, and a 1-1 draw against Cramlington.

Things fell apart in the fourth game with a 3-0 defeat by North Gawber but Ilkley regained their composure and their fighting spirit for the last game of the day with a 3-0 win against Sheffield Rangers.

Ilkley ended the day third in their group with seven points carried forward to Sunday’s League B competition.

Sunday was cooler and breezier and Ilkley’s games didn’t start until the afternoon. Nerves were kept at bay by the swimming pool, fun fair and amusements at the team’s base at Primrose Valley Holiday Park.

Again Ilkley didn’t find their rhythm to begin with and lost the first game 2-0 to Kingston Park. Excellent goalkeeping, a solid defence, controlling midfield and lively forwards kept the pressure on for the final two games and wins against Dodworth MW and Sandiacre Blue saw Ilkley win the League B trophy.

Of the 15-strong squad, attackers Will Giles, Joe Holden and Harrison Quaife were fierce on the break, with some effective long shots. Good midfield play from Will Buckley, Benji Claydon, Ewan Collier, Charlie Harder, Tom Kerr and Tom Stephens helped control the games while there was solid defence from captain Ryan Croft, Conner Nelson, James Newsome, Jamie Stones, and James Webb. In goal, Alex McPherson had a superb tournament with brave saves.

Coaches Paul Buckley, Richard Giles, Jon Stones, Andy Dunne and Andy Webb were thanked for an excellent tournament and a successful season. Playing in the Harrogate and District Junior League U-11s, Ilkley Juniors were runners-up.