Points Shared in Tense Encounter
Ilkley Town AFC staged a late comeback to ultimately draw 2-2 with Worsbrough Bridge AFC in a game of two halves. In the opening 45 minutes the Baht’atters were sub-par and trailed at the break, before a much improved second half with goals courtesy of Luke Baldwin and Dan Smith earned Ilkley a point, writes Matt Lambe.
In a first half where opportunities were few and far between, the hosts put Worsbrough under pressure for the first 10 minutes. Kevin Gonzalez forced a good stop out of goalkeeper Jacob Rabone before Alfie Dean’s half volley whistled marginally over.
Following these two early attempts, Ilkley were largely static and struggled to reach the final third, inviting Worsbrough to gain momentum. This culminated in the visitors taking an early lead after Tom Bishop reached a loose ball ahead of Matt Keen and headed into the back of the net.
Worsbrough had another opportunity moments later as Joshua Brown ran in behind Ilkley’s defence, but his shot sailed comfortably over the bar.
Around the half hour mark, Ilkley regained their composure and were rewarded with chances. Baldwin struck the near post with a low effort and Lewin Storton almost latched onto the end of Smith’s cross.
Approaching half time, the Baht’atters had a goal disallowed. Baldwin prodded home Alfie Dean’s cross, but the linesman deemed Baldwin to be in an offside position.
Worsbrough came close to doubling their advantage with the final action of the half, but Kevin Gonzalez and Maxim Hague blocked successive close range shots. Nevertheless, the Baht’atters were trailing at the break after a sloppy first half display.
Sam Dexter’s side began the second half with notably more purpose and tenacity, and would’ve equalised two minutes after the restart had it not been for Rabone. Baldwin’s sliding effort was parried away before Hague almost caught him off guard with a chip, but he recovered in time.
Despite enjoying the majority of possession in the second half, Worsbrough were clinical offensively and scored. Ilkley lost the ball on the halfway line and Jake Squires capitalised, leaving Ilkley with work to be done in the final half hour.
Once Worsbrough had gained a two-goal cushion, the match became increasingly scrappy as the referee brandished several yellow cards to the visitors.
The Baht’atters rained down chances on the opposition’s box, as Josh Parker saw his header flash wide and a free kick under the wall almost merited another save.
Ilkley mounted their comeback in the 75th minute with Baldwin halving the deficit: captain Harry Brown danced into the box and pulled the ball back to Baldwin, whose first time effort nestled in the bottom corner.
Only five minutes later, Sam Dexter’s side drew level. Smith rose highest to meet Dean’s whipped delivery, guiding his header beyond the goalkeeper.
Town continued knocking on Worsbrough’s door, but were denied on numerous occasions by Rabone who kept his side in the game.
In injury time, Ilkley were handed a late advantage as Worsbrough’s Ellis Durose received his marching orders for two yellow cards.
However, it was too little too late as the Baht’atters only had a man advantage for four minutes - meaning the points were shared at the MPM Stadium.
Looking to the future, Town host Appleby Frodingham on Saturday 21st September before travelling to Armthorpe Welfare on Saturday 28th September.