North West Counties League First Division Cup
Golcar United 1-2 Ilkley Town
Two second half goals helped Ilkley Town end promoted Golcar United’s hopes of more silverware.
Both sides fielded much-changed line-ups for the well-attended Bank Holiday Monday fixture.
Golcar made eight changes from the side who delivered the club’s greatest ever win at Holker Old Boys on Saturday in the play-off final – a result that propelled the club into Step 5 football.
The first half had little action of note other than Ilkley having two quick-fire shots cleared off-the-line.
With no Kevin Gonzalez in the Ilkley side, it was left to two less familiar names to be the heroes.
Luke Barker netted the deadlock breaker in the 55th minute.
Tom Fleming then sent a beauty from the edge of the penalty area past experienced goalkeeper Graham McLachlan.
Golcar forced a frantic finish as Ryan John-Mackay leapt superbly to head home a cross in the last five minutes.
Clever Golcar joint managers Ash and Gav Connor had by this point used their tactical masterstroke substitution.
They must have put the fear of god into Ilkley as the introduction of menacing experienced ‘striker’ Harry Stead added real danger.
Even McLachlan was up for a corner at one stage as the home side failed in their attempt to force a penalty shootout.
The Teams
Golcar United: McLachlan, Igielski, Phillip, Crane, Lawrence, Taylor, Everingham, Naidole, Flynn, Piscitelli, John-Mackay. Subs: Brook, Stead, Sharz, Stocker, Hallam.
Ilkley Town: Gregson, Hudson, Pearson, George, Swift, Parker, Fleming, Brown, Barker, Hughes, Davis. Subs: Gomersall, Smith, Lambert.
Man of the Match
Matthew Swift (Ilkley Town)
