Baht’atters Seconds Comfortably See Off East End

  

In their second league game of the season, Ilkley Town AFC’s Second Team overcame a physical East End Park side in an impressive 2-1 victory. The visitors took the lead in the early stages, but goals courtesy of Blake Wood and Kinuthia ensured the Baht’atters left with three points, writes Matthew Lambe.

 

With a quarter of an hour played, East End’s number 10 found the back of the net. He picked up the ball inside of the opposition half, before chipping Tim Edney from distance.

 

Only four minutes later, the Baht’atters restored parity. A low cross was played into the box, and Wood was on hand to fire the ball home.

 

The Baht’atters recorded a string of chances shortly before the break, with James Nightingale’s long range strike whistling narrowly wide, whilst their keeper denied Luke Barker after he was played through by James Turland.

 

Kinuthia came close to giving Ilkley the lead, as he darted through the East End defence, but his subsequent shot was agonisingly wide.

 

At the other end of the MPM Stadium, Edney produced a fine save to stop their winger’s threatening strike.

 

The following spell witnessed several late challenges, and resulted in the referee giving out a number of yellow cards.

 

James Hirst and Jamie Stones’ side completed the comeback in the 70^th minute, when Kinuthia tapped home from a couple of yards out. East End’s keeper initially saved Wood’s effort, but Kinuthia made no mistake with the rebound.

 

The Baht’atters were in control following the goal, and placed the visitors under pressure for the remainder of the game. Dave Hancock and Barker came the closest to adding a third, whilst an excellent triple save from the East End keeper kept his side in the game.

 

With virtually the last action of the game, Ilkley had a goal disallowed. Cross scored from the rebound after the keep saved Whitehead’s attempt, but the referee deemed Cross to be in an offside position.

 

This victory propels the hosts into second, with a flawless record, earning six points from the opening two fixtures. Meanwhile, East End sit in 10^th, with one point from two games.

 

Next up, the Second Team travel to Swillington Welfare on Saturday 20^th August, before returning to the MPM Stadium to welcome Wyke Wanderers on 24^th August.