Ilkley 1
Old Headingley 1

For the second week in succession Old Headingley found themselves denied the chance to take all three points from their West Yorkshire League encounter by a penalty decision.

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Unlike the previous fixture it was the concession of a spot kick rather than the non-award of an opportunity which cost Rich Hamilton's team on this occasion, although at the final whistle Headingley's players were left in no doubt as to the fact that their manager considered their showing to have been considerably short of the standards they had set themselves in previous weeks.

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Playing away at Ilkley's picturesque home ground, Headingley gave a first start of the season to Mark Lucas, partnering him with Pete Gillick in a somewhat unorthodox front pairing.

However, within minutes the two had combined to give Old Headingley the lead. After conceding an early corner, Headingley dealt with the danger comfortably and from Leigh Fearn's long clearance, Gillick's flick-on was latched onto by Lucas and his lobbed finish over the stranded 'keeper was effortless.

Playing in very windy conditions, both teams struggled to get the ball down and pass it with any real fluency, and the first half was for the most part dominated by each side trying to get the ball forward as quickly as possible. Ilkley threated with balls over the top of Headingley's defence on several occasions, but each time the theat was ushered away comfortably. With Fearn confidently claiming any high balls into his penalty area, the stage seemed set for Headingley to take control and build on their lead.

However, they were surrendering possession too easily and although leading 1-0 at the break, seemed set for a halftime rollocking from their clearly unhappy manager.

Playing with the elements slightly in their favour after the break, Headingley managed to create a few more opportunities than they had managed in the opening forty five minutes.

Although the play was still scrappy, Headingley managed to again carve out a good opening for Lucas, with his right foot shot well repelled by the 'keeper's outstretched right leg. Shortly afterwards Gavin Johnstone saw a strike from twenty yards whizz narrowly past the post with the 'keeper beaten.

Whilst Headingley's defence were still coping relatively comfortably with any Ilkley threat, their single goal lead remained a precarious one and thus was proven when a mini game of head tennis halfway inside the Headingley half ended with Ilkley's nippy striker anticipating a flick on and bearing down on goal.

Covering defender Mark Davies got across to seemingly win the ball as the striker belatedly went over after an untidy tangle, but making up his mind quickly, the referee awarded a penalty. The kick was dispatched low to Fearn's right as Headingley's protests fell on deaf ears.

In the time that remained, both sides had chances to take the points. Buoyed by the energy of substitutes Dave Gillespie and Sam Hasson, Headingley carved out a chance for Lucas but under pressure he could not find the target from close range.

At the other end, Headingley were very fortunate to escape when Ilkley's own substitute found himself unmarked after the away team gave the ball away when pushing out on the counter attack.

His finish however was painfully lacking in conviction and the fervour with which Fearn pointed this out to the winger was perhaps the outpouring of relief as much as anything else.

A point for each side and a performance from Old Headingley that could perhaps best be described as "offering room for improvement".