Pool 2 Ilkley Town 0

POOL ended holders Ilkley Town’s hopes of lifting the Wharfedale & District FA Cup for the fourth time in five years by winning a well-contested semi-final.

These two teams have always put on great local derbies in the past, but the gale blowing down the valley did little to help as the first half was a largely scrappy affair.

That said, Ilkley took full advantage of the wind, rattling the crossbar from the kick off.

They should have taken the lead later in the half when Pool keeper Andy Doey made two excellent goal-line blocks, the second rebounding to the Ilkley striker who fired against the underside of the crossbar from close range.

It took Pool much of the first half to find their rhythm against the wind, but when they did, they gave the Ilkley defence plenty to think about, a superb through ball finding Scott Firth who finished well.

With the wind now at their backs, Pool began to dominate, however, Ilkley were still a real threat pushing forward.

It was with some relief that Pool doubled their lead when the unmarked Temilada Ajimoko placed his header perfectly.

With Ilkley now trying to force their way back into the match, the Pool defence held firm to reach the final at Guiseley on May 1.