IMAGINE reaching two semi-finals and a quarter-final while having your best ever season in the league, well this is where Ilkley Town find themselves as they approach the crunch time of the season.

Simon Armstrong's side are in the final four of the West Yorkshire League Cup and the Wharfedale & District FA Cup, and the last eight of the West Yorkshire League Cup whilst only being a point behind second-placed Field in the West Yorkshire League Premier Division.

So with all this activity it must be struggle for Ilkley to balance their congested fixture list.

Chairman Richard Giles was keen to ensure that his team's league ambitions come first and anything achieved in the cups would be a bonus.

He said: "We have a busy two months ahead with us still going well in the cups with two semi-finals and a quarter final coming up.

"The cups do increase in importance the further you go and we are competing on all fronts.

"Our main priority is still the league and to get as many points as possible. We are currently having our most successful season so we want to continue that and gain promotion.

"Although, the top five can apply for promotion we still want to finish in the highest position possible."

Town have been out of action in the league for over a month due to the poor weather conditions that have hit Yorkshire this winter.

Their last Premier outing came in a miserable defeat to mid-table Hall Green United on February 8 and it was only their fourth loss of the campaign.

Although, Ilkley did gain passage through WYLC in their time off with a 5-1 crushing of Carton Athletic, they are thrown immediately into the deep end for their league return.

Travelling to league toppers Beeston St Anthony is the task Armstrong's men face on Saturday.

Despite taking points off Beeston in their 2-2 draw last August, Mark Halmshaw's team have been relentless this term winning their other 17 fixtures in lethal fashion.

Giles is glad to be back to league action and knows the seemingly unstoppable St Anthony will pose his team their toughest assignment of the season so far.

He said: "We had four weeks out which put the players off of their usual routine and disturbed a bit of our momentum. But every team were in the same position as us.

"It will be an extra challenge with them (Beeston) being at home. We know their strengths and we will be up for the big challenge on Saturday."

Matters off the field have also been positive for Town with the freshness of a new facility and ability to attract new sponsors as they aim to move up to the higher division next season and continue to improve in the future.

Giles added: "Ilkley carnival have been great, raising money to help us form a new spectators stand which keeps fans away from the wind and rain.

"Northern Accountants have also been helpful in sponsoring the stand."