On Tuesday evening, Chadderton’s Harry Dean struck right at the depth to deny a resilient Ilkley their first point of the season.

It was the visitors who started well when James Hughes got into some space outside the box before going for goal, but his shot was well saved by Harrison Fleet.

The Bahtatters got their reward when James Hudson whipped the ball into the box before one of Chadderton’s defenders put the ball into the back of his own net to make the score 0-1 to the visitors.

Ilkley had an opportunity to double their lead when Tom Smith’s cross from a free kick almost resulted in a goal, but the shot went over the bar.

On the stroke of half time, Chadderton equalised when they won a free kick from about 40 yards out. The cross fell to Mark Ashworth who smashed the ball in the back of the net to put Chadderton on level terms with Ilkley again.

Chadderton had the first chance of the second half when Ethan Sutcliffe goes one on one with Callum Gladding but his attempt at goal is parried away.

Ilkley nearly restored their lead when Alfie Heaton went on a menacing run before whipping the ball into Smith who heads towards goal, but his shot hits the crossbar to keep the score at 1-1.

As the game was drawing to a close, Harry Dean went for glory from about 30 yards out as his shot rippled the back of the net to complete an impressive turnaround, much to the delight for the Chadderton fans.

Next up for Ilkley Town is AFC Darwen on the 21st of August at the MPM Stadium as the Bahtatters try to pick up their first points of the campaign.

Written by Evan Seaman