West Yorkshire League Premier Division: Ilkley Town 2 Hunslet Club 1

ILKLEY Town had over 20 senior players absent on Saturday, and handed competitive first-team debuts to youngsters Connor Thompson and Dec Bradley, who have both impressed in pre-season.

However, they still notched their first home win of the season.

Both sides had their chances in the first half, Ilkley's coming from set-pieces, and they took the lead just before the half-hour, James Mackie poking the ball in from close range after Matt Tolleson nodded the set piece in his direction.

Although Hunslet responded, Town could have gone 2-0 up, Mackie's long-range shot being well saved, but the visitors did equalise before half-time with what the hosts felt was a soft goal.

An accidental clash early in the second half between midfielder Will Giles and skipper James Wilson resulted in the former being injured and replaced by Gareth Pickup.

But in a half that was similar to the first, with Hunslet applying pressure and Town countering, the home side did get a second goal when Connor Greenwood superbly converted Mackie's lay-off to complete a fine week personally, his A-Level results being good enough for a university place.

Mackie then sealed his man-of-the-match award with some excellent covering.

West Yorkshire League Premier Division: Ilkley Town 1 Pool 2

ILKLEY opened their league season at home to Pool last Wednesday and were disappointed not to take something out of the game.

Both sides lacked craft early doors but it needed a stunning save by James Hirst from a deflected header to keep Town level, and the home side were then denied a goal by a marginal offside decision after Danny Henderson netted.

Pool took the lead from a set-piece that caused chaos on the half-hour and, hard as Ilkley tried, they went 2-0 down early in the second half when a shot by former Town player Tom Smith seemed to be going wide until it was deflected in by Darren Munday.

The visitors dropped deeper but were still defending resolutely but Ilkley scored on the hour when Dan Chadwick netted after Henderson's shot had been parried.

The final half-hour was attack v defence but, despite Adam Davey having two on-on-ones with Pool's goalkeeper and Hancock and Giles missing chances, there was no equaliser.

Nevertheless, the second-half display was much improved, although calmness and patience on the ball could be improved.

Town, who are due to visit Knaresborough Town tonight, are at Brighouse Old Boys on Saturday and host Field next Wednesday (6.30).