Otley Town 1 Ilkley Town 1 (aet)

Otley won 5-3 on penalties

Although Otley Town had the majority of the possession and the most chances in this game they made heavy weather of eventually defeating a brave Ilkley side shorn of nine first team regulars.

In the end they only progressed to the quarter finals of the West Yorkshire League Cup by winning a penalty shoot out 5-3.

It was cruel luck on Ilkley Town and in particular their outstanding defender Darren Munday who saw his penalty saved by Gavin Phillis.

Otley were ruthless in the shootout scoring all five through Chris Dowson, Sam Dexter, Joe Hendrie, Chris Davey and James Davey.

But Ilkley will now be eyeing the prospect of revenge in the forthcoming Wharfedale Challenge Cup final when they take on Otley again.

Nathan Proctor and Luke Bott were promoted from the Ilkley Town Academy team for the game and they played a full part in their side’s determined display.

Though the second-half was dominated by Otley, the first-half saw Ilkley enjoy the majority of possession and cause some difficult moments for the home side as neither team gained control of the central area on a bumpy pitch.

Ilkley’s Danny Bott was the most influential midfield player while Otley’s forwards were well shackled by Munday and Liam Blenkhorn.

The main threat for Otley came from set-pieces and after a combative opening half-hour the home side took the lead when Scott Cater followed up a Jimmy Davey power drive was parried by james Hirst.

Ilkley were anything but downhearted. They equalised within five minutes when Bott's free-kick was only partially cleared and Damian Smith pounced to prod the ball past Phillis.

The Otley goalkeeper than made a fine save diving to divert a pile-driver from Phil Thommeson for a corner.

The second-half was a backs-to-the-wall affair for Ilkley with so many players unused to the pace of playing at this level.

However, it was the time for the more experienced players to stand-up-and-be-counted and Munday, Blenkhorn, Hirst and Dave Hancock were outstanding in denying Otley any clear-cut opportunities.

Hirst made a one-handed save from Cater’s free-kick and Munday cleared off the line as Ilkley players showed great commitment.

The chance to sneak a victory came Ilkley's way after 80 minutes when Bott’s precise pass allowed Smith to turn past Simms only for Phillis to save at point-blank range.

The extra-time period saw both sides tiring yet still committed to claim an outright victory with Otley once again reliant on set-pieces and unable to break down Ilkley’s resolute defence where Munday and Hirst excelled.

Ultimately their brave show went unrewarded as Otley, who face a County Cup semi-final tonight against Carlton at Woodlesford, won the penalty shoot out.

On Saturday Otley remain in cup action when they travel to First Division Wyke Wanderers for the quarter-finals of the League Cup kick off 2.30.

Town have ten games to play in April including local derby at Pool on Wednesday.