Ilkley Looking to Bounce Back

 

Ilkley will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they host Darwen FC this Saturday, following on from a narrow 0-1 defeat against Holker Old Boys at Rakesmoor Lane on Tuesday night, writes Evan Seaman.

 

The Holker defeat ended a five-match unbeaten run and also their unbeaten away record for Sam Dexter’s side, however they can quickly put the disappointment to one side if they win this weekend.

 

If the Baht’atters are to get a result on Saturday, one man that could get them the three points is talisman Kevin Gonzalez - notching five goals in his last four games so will be full of confidence.

 

But the defence is just as important and the defensive pairing of George Pearson and Matthew Swift has brought stability to the backline so far as they have both played the joint most out of anyone in the squad, with Josh Parker equally influential.

 

Whereas for Darwen, they will be looking to continue their impressive run of form, which includes a 7-0 victory against Ashton Town, so Ilkley will have to be at their very best to get a result.

 

In particular, Ilkley will need to watch out for Darwen’s Rio Wilson-Heyes who has scored 13 goals in 21 games, and also won seven man of the match awards so far this season, proving himself to be their main man.

 

Wilson-Heyes’ good form in front of goal has helped propel Darwen up the table recently after a shaky start, and currently sit in 8th in the league which is comfortably in the top half so will be no pushovers.