Ilkley claim crucial three points against Route One Rovers

Ilkley Town AFC managed an impressive come-from-behind victory against Route One Rovers this weekend as a second half brace from Kevin Gonzalez gave them the three points, writes Evan Seaman.

Ilkley had the first chance of the match when Gonzalez found space inside the box before hitting a venomous shot towards goal, but it was parried away by keeper John Paul Raynard.

However, just after the half an hour mark Route One opened the scoring when they caught The Baht’atters on the counter.

Just before the break, Route One were dominating and had chances to double their lead but Ilkley stood firm to stay in the game for the second half.

This proved to be vital for them because shortly after the break, striker Gonzalez equalized for them as he tucked the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

About 10 minutes after Ilkley’s first goal, Gonzalez got his second goal of the game when he chipped in the keeper to put them in front for the first time of the game.

Towards the end of the game, things got nervous as Ilkley clung onto their slender lead, and they did manage it which manager Sam Dexter was delighted with.

The result means Ilkley have got their first victory since last October which will surely lift the players confidence.

It also means they move into ninth place in the league and are just three points from the playoff positions, whereas for Route One they stay in the playoffs for now, but with plenty of games to go still anything can happen.

Looking ahead for Ilkley, they do not have a fixture next weekend but the week after that they are hosting Garstang FC so they will be hoping to keep the momentum flowing.

Next Home Match: Saturday 17 February, 3pm v Garstang