Report by: Cayden Sands

A superb hat-trick from George Beaumont ensured that Rawdon Old Boys lifted the Wharfedale FA Challenge Cup with a deserved 3-1 victory over Ilkley Town Reserves at Guiseley AFC’s Nethermoor Park.

This was the West Yorkshire League Premier Division side's first triumph in the competition since 1997.

It also prevented the Baht’atters from back to back cup wins.

Rawdon began the game on the front foot and looked the better team, showing promise in a number of key areas.

The game’s first significant moment came in the 8th minute when Rawdon’s Oli Nightingale elected to go for an audacious effort that ultimately flew over the bar much to relief of the strong backing that had travelled to support Ilkley.

Five minutes later Beaumont sprang into action for the first time with a sign of things to come. He got on the end of a through ball from Sam Boldy but Charlie Bell made the save.

In the 19th minute, after a quick passing move, Boldy had a good effort on goal only to be denied by a fine save from Bell. However, that wasn't enough to stop the ever present Beaumont who slotted home the rebound amidst a sea of bodies to give Rawdon a deserved lead at a sun-soaked Nethermoor.

After going ahead Rawdon continued to have the better of the game despite the overall pace slowing as they looked to make life difficult for Ilkley in their search for a quick leveller.

This search ended in dramatic fashion when one of football’s rare oddities occurred in the 35th minute after Bell picked the ball up inside the box after a flick back from a teammate.

This lead to an indirect free-kick that a calm and composed Beaumont hit low and with power. Bell initially looked to have collected the ball but it bounced out of his hands and into the net to double Rawdon’s advantage.

As half-time approached Rawdon continued to press and missed two big chances to extend their advantage.

Ben Whitfield’s side thus carryied a deserved lead into the second-half with Ilkley having it all to do if they were to retain the cup.

Thus they came out for the second-half looking a rejuvenated side quickly creating a good opportunity thanks to a cross from Jacob Hudson that went just over the heads of his teammates in the box.

The 48th minute produced possibly the game’s best moment for Ilkley when, after some pinball football the ball fell to Charlie George.

He unleashed a thunderous shot from well outside the penalty area that left Rawdon 'keeper Kamen Greaves helpless as it flew into the top corner to give Ilkley a lifeline at 2-1 setting up a grand finale.

In a similar fashion to the first-half the pace slowed as Ilkley took a methodical approach to their game on their mission to level the scores.

Rawdon’s chances became fewer but a notable one came in the 64th minute when Beaumont was again the centre of the action but shot over the bar.

Ilkley continued to press and with a little more intensity and as the half progressed Rob Pell’s side produced a good 77th minute move with Ben Richardson finding the back of the net but Ilkley's joy was short-lived as the goal was ruled out for off-side.

Despair almost became jubilation immediately after when James Hudson found himself one-on-one with the 'keeper in the box but he was unable to control the ball and get a shot off allowing Greaves to collect the ball and keep Rawdon in the lead.

Despite a final 10 minutes in which Ilkley continued to show promise and at some points looked destined to equalise, it would be Rawdon who had the last laugh.

In added Beaumont plucked a long ball out of the sky before charging towards goal with Bell coming towards him.

Beaumont remained cool and composed to beat the 'keeper and seal his hat-trick and the victory to take the historic trophy and win the Man-of-the Match award.

The game was a fantastic advert for both the Wharfedale FA and the West Yorkshire League Premier Division, with both sides now hoping that their positive performances in this game will give them the momentum that they need to press on and finish their league campaigns in the best possible way.

Rawdon Old Boys: Kamen Greaves Jack Headley, Jake Chambers, Tristain Innes, Tom Whitfield, Aidan Barry, Sam Boldy, Oli Nightingale, Adam Fowler, Elliott Anderson, George Beaumont. Subs: Danny Soctlan, Charlie Best, Jack Richmond, James Brennan, Tom Godden.

Ilkley Town Reserves: Charlie Bell Louis Alcock, Joe Bedford, Charlie George, Ewan Johnston, Ollie Dunne, Asa Lowe, Wilf Roberts, Jacob Hudson, Immanuel Kinuthia, Kamsi Mudueke. Subs: Ryan Pickles, Ben Richardson, Harry Miles, James Hudson, Will Loftus.

The trophy and mementoes were presented by Wharfedale FA Chairman David Martin, MBE, on behalf of long term competition sponsor Philip Thompson of Resource Print Solutions.