Ilkley Town 4 Pool 3 (aet)

ILKLEY avenged their defeat in last season's Wharfedale & District FA Cup final when they defeated the holders in a tense quarter-final.

It means they will now play Rawdon Old Boys in the semi-finals as they bid to reach the final for the third successive year where Baildon Trinity Athletic are waiting for the winners.

Pool had beaten Ilkley 4-0 in the West Yorkshire League Division One earlier this season so revenge was very much on their minds at Ben Rhydding on Saturday.

Pool started the game in their familiar 3-4-3 formation, with industry and energy key to their game. This added to their obvious quality demonstrated what a dangerous team they could be.

The first half was played at a good tempo by both sides with Ilkley creating the better opportunities, but it was Pool who would end the half ahead. In the 40th minute Ilkley conceded a corner. James Carroll found space in the box and powered his header past James Hirst.

Ilkley pressed higher up the pitch in the second half and a double substitution which saw Danny Bott and Isaac Crown enter the fray was key to their plans.

Ilkley were on level terms after 68 minutes. The ball was played forward quickly to Adam Fowler, who took a delightful first touch inside his marker and then played a pass inside the centre half for the perfectly timed run of Lu Ndovi. He took his time before sending the keeper the wrong way and slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

Both sides had chances to win the game in normal time. With two minutes to go, Adam Fowler again chased down a forward pass and tussled with the centre half before bundling the ball past the keeper and tapping home. The referee disallowed the effort for a foul.

Moments later Pool had their final opportunity to win the game. Hirst was forced to dive full length and tip a goalbound header onto a post.

Ilkley were again pressing high up the pitch in extra time and this resulted in Lu Ndovi forcing a mistake in the Pool defence which led to Fowler racing clear before finding the far corner.

It was again from this pressing in the midfield that Danny Bott regained possession and switched the ball out wide to Isaac Crown. He beat his man and delivered a looping cross into the penalty area for Fowler to leap and loop his header over the Pool goalkeeper.

Ilkley were now in control of the game and after confusion between the Pool defence and their goalkeeper, Fowler found the goal at his mercy but he shot wide.

Four minutes into the second period of extra time Fowler finally completed his hat-trick. The impressive work of Ndovi created the chance for the striker to net with a sublime finish.

From here it should have been comfortable but Ilkley were reminded of the excellent attitude of their opponents who never gave up and were rewarded with two goals in the final seven minutes of extra time from Nick Hewitt and Tom Flemming. Defensively both goals were avoidable and disappointing to concede but it was too little too late for Pool as their hopes of retaining the cup were ended.