Wyke Wanderers 4,IlkleyTown 2

TOWN suffered a disappointing ending to their season as they again failed to make the most of goalscoring chances and gifted goals away.

Without several regular, Ilkley were forced to play with a makeshift team, but welcomed the opportunity to introduce youngsters Matthew Bell, Ross Smitheringale and Alex Sinclair to West Yorkshire League football.

Having taken an early lead when Nick Quaife bundled the ball into the net after the Wyke keeper fumbled an Allen Hey free-kick, Ilkley conceded an equaliser after 30 minutes when poor marking on the edge of the penalty-area allowed a Wyke player to turn and volley the ball across James Hirst and into the far-corner of the net.

The bumpy, narrow and dry pitch made quick passing movements almost impossible as neither side gained a semblance of control in a scrappy first-half.

With wind and slope advantage in the second-half, Ilkley pushed the home side onto the defensive without every really penetrating the back-line.

The quality of service to forward players was poor from both teams and it took an Ilkley mistake to gift Wyke a second goal on the hour.

A misplaced pass by Liam Blenkhorn saw the ball lifted over the Ilkley defence and a Wyke forward lobbed it over Hirst despite the last-minute challenge of Darren Munday.

A goal conceded out of nothing and yet again a consequence of casual play by Ilkley players who all season have contrived to help their opponents.

The response was swift and needy as Blenkhorn did well to retain possession after being moved into the central striking role, and his lay-back was driven hard and low towards goal by Bell.

After the 'keeper made a diving save, Mark Houlston converted the rebound at the second-attempt.

Chances to add to the score fell to Hey and Blenkhorn who both blazed over from 10 yards, and Munday had a header tipped over the bar from a Hey corner.

As the game drew towards a close, a strange refereeing decision settled the encounter after 80 minutes when Danny Henderson lunged to stop a cross and as the Wyke player rolled over after losing his balance the referee pointed to the spot.

The penalty was converted despite Hirst getting his legs to the ball and with Ilkley pushing everybody forward in search of an equaliser, the fourth Wyke goal came courtesy of a miss-hit shot that fortunately found its way to a Wyke player who buried the ball past Hirst from 12 yards.

As the Ilkley Town players trudged from the pitch knowing they had yet again failed to compete in important areas of the field, it was time to reflect on the progress Town has made.

It has transformed itself from a single Harrogate League side to having three competitive teams in higher level competition.

Hopefully, next season the senior teams will continue to make further progress for the club.