SOME good finishing by midfielders George Gomersall and Harry Brown saw Ilkley Town comfortably beat Rawdon Old Boys 2-0 in the County Cup on a windy Saturday afternoon at Ben Rhydding Sports Club.

In a scrappy game, the hosts started brightly and broke the deadlock very early on when the ball fell to Gomersall from 30 yards out.

Gomersall spotted Rawdon’s keeper off his line before the Ilkley’ playmaker spectacularly chipped him to make the score 1-0.

Brown doubled the home team’s lead just before the break when the ball was played to him on the edge of the penalty area before his shot at goal hit the bottom right corner after clipping the inside of the post.

In the second half, chances were in short supply for the visitors as Ilkley defended well to keep their cup dreams alive.

The hosts had an opportunity to extend their lead further when Tom Smith went one-on-one with the keeper inside the box, but his attempt at goal went just wide of the post.

The result means Ilkley have now won an impressive 12 games on the bounce and are still in all three competitions, whilst sitting second in the West Yorkshire League Premier Division table with 37 points.

First team manager, who has been named West Yorkshire League's Manager of the Month for January, said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the win. It was a really, really difficult game against Rawdon, who are a good side having a strong season.

"The gale force wind blowing in the wrong direction made it really tricky for both teams to gain a rhythm and momentum in the game.

"We got the goals in the first half, which put us in a good position.

"I've also have to give credit to the players, who managed the game really well against the wind in the second half."

Speaking about the Manager of the Month award, Armstrong said: "I don't see it as an individual award, I see it as a club award for the work that's going on, not only on the pitch but off the pitch as well. Obviously, it was nice to get the recognition, but it was more important today that we got through to the semi-final. We now want to go on a win the cup."

Ilkley’s next game is this Saturday away to Hall Green United, who sit 13th in the league.