Stalemate in match against the Miners
Nostell Miners Welfare 0–0 Ilkley Town AFC
Ilkley Town AFC Men’s First Team travelled to Crofton, Wakefield on Saturday afternoon to face Nostell Miners Welfare at the Welfare Stadium, looking to pick up a much-needed result.
Nostell came into the fixture in confident form following an impressive win over Maltby Main, and with recent weather leaving the pitch heavy and soft underfoot, it was always set to be a tough and closely fought encounter.
The opening 45 minutes were back and forth, with both sides finding space and moments of promise, but neither able to show the quality required in the final third. The difficult pitch conditions played their part, causing slips, mis-kicks, and loose touches throughout.
Town’s best opening of the half came when striker Eddy Prata combined well with Luke Baldwin to create an opportunity down the flank, but Prata’s cut-back found Callan Parker-Wells, whose effort was blocked before it could truly test the goalkeeper.
Alex Stewart also made some positive inroads down the left side, but Ilkley were unable to make the final ball count.
On 35 minutes, defender Adam Hartley was shown a yellow card for a 50:50 challenge which looked harsh in real time, before injury forced an early end to his afternoon. With immediate swelling and significant pain, Town physio Brad Raw called for Hartley to be substituted, allowing Lewin Storton to make just his second appearance of the season following a spell disrupted by injuries and travelling.
Ilkley adjusted shape after the break to match Nostell’s back three, and the game became more of a tactical stalemate, with both sides cancelling each other out for long periods.
Town did have chances to steal all three points late on. Luke Baldwin gambled on a long ball and found himself through on goal, but couldn’t quite get a shot away in time. A very similar opportunity arrived deep into the closing stages when substitute Harry Abson also broke through, but again Ilkley were unable to pull the trigger before the chance disappeared.
While confidence in front of goal appeared to be lacking, Town showed strong character, battled well, and created multiple openings in difficult conditions.
The match ended goalless, and Ilkley secured a first clean sheet for Jacob Mistry since the 5–0 victory over Glasshoughton. Here’s what the manager had to say:
“First half we simply were not good enough. Sloppy touches, casual flicks, not looking after the ball, which on a pitch like that is so important. Second half we were better, touches were neater and defending was stronger, but I still felt disappointed we’ve not taken away our chances today. Positives to take are that it’s stopped the rot of losing, and gains us a well-deserved clean sheet. Something to build on for next week.”
The Men’s First Team return to the MPM Stadium next week as they welcome Athersley Recreation. (Saturday 31 Jan, kick off 3pm).