Wyke Defeat Ilkley Seconds
Wyke Wanderers took the spoils against Ilkley Town AFC in a game of two halves. The Baht’atters dominated the first and were unlucky not to be in the lead by the break, but two goals in the second half from the visitors ensured they left with the three points, writes Matthew Lambe.
Almost from kickoff, full back Asa Lowe drove down the wing before drilling a cross towards Luke Barker, but the striker couldn’t get the ball out of his feet.
The Baht’atters pressed forward again, and Ollie Dunne saw his header fly just over the bar from a George Gomersall corner.
Minutes later, Kriss Simari almost gave his side the lead following a long spell of possession, but Wyke’s goalkeeper made a fingertip save.
Wanderers’ keeper was called into action again, this time to deny James Hughes from close range after a through ball from Gomersall split the defence.
Despite the continuous pressure from Jamie Stones and James Hirst’s side, the game was without a goal after 45 minutes.
The visitors began the second half brightly, as Connor Tinnion was forced to make a stop from their right back.
With the following attack, Wyke broke the deadlock. Their left winger cut inside before unleashing a long range strike that dipped over Tinnion.
Wanderers extended their lead 20 minutes later; their forward beat the defence for pace, before slotting into the bottom corner.
Ilkley almost provided an immediate response, after Gomersall’s cross-field ball reached Simari, whose threatening effort was parried away.
This action concluded the game, leaving the Seconds in fifth, having won two and lost two so far.
Next up, Town have back-to-back home games, welcoming Wetherby Athletic and Boroughbridge AFC to the MPM Stadium, on the 3rd and 10th September respectively.