Ilkley Exit FA Vase at First Hurdle

Ilkley Town 1-2 Penrith AFC

Ilkley Town AFC have been eliminated from the FA Vase in the First Round Qualifying after being narrowly defeated by a competitive Penrith AFC side. Having deservedly led at half time through Toby Marriott’s strike, the Baht’atters conceded twice in the second half without reply, writes Matt Lambe.

Coincidentally, in Ilkley’s debut FA Vase appearance three years ago they also hosted Penrith – and again lost 1-2 in a close match at the MPM Stadium.

Despite the visitors’ strategy of high press, the Baht’atters started strongly and enjoyed a flurry of opportunities. The captain Harry Brown tested goalkeeper Taylor from distance with a stinging shot, while Dan Smith’s effort rippled the side netting.

Smith caused trouble for the Penrith defence for the duration of the first half: he danced into the box, evading multiple challenges before his attempt was blocked. With the following attack, his free kick ricocheted off the inside of the far post via a deflection.

However, the visitors displayed some threat in the first half, given their position in the division above Ilkley. A through ball meant Shields was one on one, but Matthew Keen was quick off his line to save. Moments later, he punched clear an inviting corner to keep Penrith at bay.

Marriott added to his goal tally this campaign by giving his side the lead in the 34th minute. He dispossessed a Penrith centre back before driving forward and shooting from 20 yards out, with his drilled effort nestling in the bottom corner.

Sam Dexter’s side had one more opportunity to double their lead on the stroke of half time. Arlo Buller burst into the box with a darting dribble before pulling back to Marriott, but the Ilkley talisman couldn’t shoot in time and was tackled.

In the second half, the Cumbrian outfit played with a faster tempo, posing more of a threat. This was evident as they almost levelled the scoring from a corner, while in the resulting passage of play Brown’s tackle was crucial in preventing a close range strike.

Additionally, Sam Dexter’s side were unlucky with injuries, with both Thierry Hendrickson and Smith hobbling off in the second half.

Nevertheless, Ilkley continued to threaten and came close to adding a second. Maxim Hague’s delicate ball inside the box freed Finn Ellis, who saw his low effort well saved by Taylor.

After sustained pressure, Penrith drew level with 20 minutes remaining. A throw in reached Martyn Coleman, who turned inside the box before firing into the bottom corner to set up a tense finale.

Only 10 minutes later, the visitors had completed their comeback to turn the game around. Lewis Moore converted with a pinpoint finish after his first effort was blocked but only back into his path, leaving the Baht’atters in need of another goal with a few minutes left.

Despite throwing the kitchen sink at Penrith in injury time, the visitors withstood the pressure and ultimately progressed into the Second Round Qualifying of the FA Vase.

Meanwhile, Town bow out of the competition at the first hurdle for the fourth consecutive year, albeit playing against higher level opposition in three out of four years.

After interviewing Sam Dexter shortly after the final whistle, he said ‘I thought the first 45 minutes were excellent and we were the better side…to match a team from the step above shows our quality…but we’ve had two lapses in concentration, and they’ve scored twice’.

Looking to the future, the Baht’atters’ attention returns to the league, travelling to Swallownest FC on Tuesday 27th August (kickoff 19:45). Town then entertain Wakefield AFC at the MPM Stadium on Saturday 31st August at 15:00.

Photo Credit: Nigel Owen