Ilkley Overpower Shelley with Resounding Victory

Ilkley Town AFC recorded a convincing 1-3 victory over Shelley Community FC to return to winning ways. Kevin Gonzalez opened the scoring before a wondergoal restored parity, but a further two from Gonzalez sealed the result in the second half, writes Matt Lambe.  

Sam Dexter's side burst out the blocks, putting the hosts under pressure almost from the whistle. Thierry Hendrickson found Toby Marriott with a through ball, but was stopped by Shelley's Nathan Fletcher before he could get the ball out of his feet.

Also, Ilkley were denied on multiple occasions by the linesman’s flag, as several long spells of possession were interrupted by mistimed runs on Ilkley’s behalf. Nevertheless, the Baht’atters were playing with greater intensity than seen on Saturday. 

At the other end of the Stafflex Arena, Shelley should’ve take an early lead from a set-piece. Their central midfielder found himself unmarked on the edge of the six yard box, but missed the target with his volley.

The game continued to be an entertaining spectacle for the neutral, as Hendrickson’s cross skimmed the crossbar moments after Shelley had a goal disallowed for offside.

Ilkley continued to pepper the hosts’ box: this time, Gonzalez came close after James Nightingale’s through ball, while Luke Baldwin’s corner found Harry Brown who forced a save from goalkeeper Paul Day.

In the 42nd minute, Gonzalez broke the deadlock with a fine finish.  He dribbled round the outside of the defender before curling his effort past Day from a tight angle to give Ilkley a deserved lead.

However, the Baht’atters lead was short lived, as in the sixth minute of injury time Shelley’s Arista Llewllyn equalised with a goal of the season contender. With the last kick of the half, he took aim from 30 yards out on the left flank, finding the top corner with a thunderous strike.

Just like the first half, Ilkley began the second brightly and retook the lead only eight minutes in, courtesy of Gonzalez.  Brown and Marriott were responsible for the build up, playing an inviting ball across the face of goal, which was dispatched by Gonzalez.

Gonzalez then had a flurry of chances to complete his hat trick; he forced Day into a save following Maxim Hague’s darting run, before missing the target with a long range lob.

Shelley almost levelled again after Tim Edney was tackled on the byline by an oncoming Shelley forward, but his pass across goal was luckily not reached in time by a second attacker, allowing the Baht’atters time to regroup.

Gonzalez eased the nerves of the travelling Baht’atters faithful by netting his hat trick in the 75th minute. Substitutes Joel Barker and Dan Smith worked their way down the rjght wing before finding Gonzalez in space around the penalty spot, and he tucked the ball home.

Evidently not satisfied with a two-goal cushion, Ilkley continued to press forward, with both Baldwin and Joe Snowden almost adding their names to the scoresheet.

With the game nearing injury time, Shelley began to force the ball into Ilkley’s box in a late attempt to force a comeback, but the visitors’ defence withheld the pressure and were equal to all Shelley could throw at them.

This ensured the Baht’atters took home the deserved three points in an excellent display both offensively and defensively.

Looking to the future, attention turns to the FA Vase on Saturday when Ilkley host Penrith on Saturday 24 August at 3pm. Afterwards, Town travel south to Swallownest FC on Tuesday 27 August at 7.45 pm.

Photo Credit: Nigel Owen