West Riding Challenge Cup

Ilkley Town 5 Leeds Medics & Dentists 0

ILKLEY Town have made the West Riding County FA Challenge Cup semi-final stage for the first time, after producing arguably their best performance of the season to beat Leeds Medics & Dentists.

Town made a great start and went ahead after three minutes when Harry Higgins headed in Lee Spires' corner at the far post.

As Leeds began to venture forward with more urgency, Ilkley caught them on the counter. Toby Harris played the ball in-field to Robin Layton who produced a neat finish to double the lead after 18 minutes.

Town continued to have the upper hand and took advantage of a mix up between the Medics’ centre backs to make it 3-0. Harris seized on the opening and Matty Whitehead found the bottom corner of the net.

Ilkley’s dominant first half display almost brought a fourth goal but the post kept out Spires’ free kick.

It actually took until the 70th minute for Town to add to their lead. Spires picked out the head of Tim Edney who powered the ball past Tim Griffiths.

Debutant Aaron Davis completed the rout after 84th minute, finding himself in acres of space to neatly finish Spires' low cross.

Ilkley manager Simon Armstrong was delighted with the performance. He said: "I'm very happy. The lads approached the game professionally and did as we asked them to do.

"We put in a dominant performance and scored some very good goals and so were deserving 5-0 winners."

The excitement was clear to see throughout the team as Ilkley confirmed their semi-final place for the first time in this competition, but Armstrong doesn't have a favoured tie for his side. He said: "We are just delighted to make this stage.

"For us it's a first and we are just going to make the most of it."