Ilkley Looking To Bounce Back

After conceding two late goals against last season’s playoff finalists Holker Old Boys to condemn them to their first defeat of the season in agonizing fashion, Ilkley will be looking to immediately bounce back when they host Nelson on Monday night, writes Evan Seaman.

Despite putting up a fight against Holker and briefly bringing it back to 1-1, the visitors’ experience at this level proved too much for the Baht’atters but will surely by a learning curve for this young squad.

After their first 5 games of the campaign Sam Dexter’s side lie 6th in the league, just one spot below the playoffs. One man who has played a crucial part to the good start is James Nightingale who has won man of the match on two occasions and has been instrumental in midfield.

Whereas for Nelson, they have had a rather more inconsistent start to the season, picking up 4 points which means that they lie 12th in the league after 4 games. Nelson have been leaky at the back, conceding 10 goals in that time which Ilkley will surely be looking to identify as a weakness.

Ilkley will need to watch out for Nelson’s top goal scorer though, Jack Foster who has got 6 goals in 4 games and has won the man of the match award in three games.