On a wet Saturday afternoon, Ilkley Town AFC prevailed over Guiseley Academy in a friendly 3-2 thanks to goals from Darren Munday, Joe Chilaka, and a last minute winner from George Gomersall, writes Matthew Lambe.

Within the opening 10 minutes, the hosts won a penalty when Kevin Gonzalez burst into the box before being brought down by the visitor’s centre back. Gonzalez, having won the penalty, stepped up to take; even though his effort was in the corner, their keeper produced a fine save.

Guiseley’s centre-mid broke the deadlock with a brilliant first-time strike. After a free kick was headed away, he struck a volley from outside the box into the top corner, skimming the crossbar along the way.

Goalkeeper Tim Edney produced a couple of stops to limit the score to 1-0, blocking at the near post and, on the stroke of half time, denying their no 9 from converting a one on one.

Keen to level the scoring immediately, the Baht’atters pressed forward and were rewarded with an equaliser early in the second half. From a corner, Matt Swift volleyed towards goal, with Darren Munday getting a slight touch on the ball to steer it beyond the keeper.

Only a few minutes later, ex-Ilkley player Lewis Hey restored Guiseley’s advantage. He beat the defence for pace before looping a chip over Edney.

Substitute striker Joe Chilaka pulled the deficit back in the 70th minute to create a dramatic finale. Chilaka received a through ball from Brown, created space to shoot by taking the ball out wide, then placed his shot in the far corner.

At the other end of the field, Edney was forced to make a stunning one handed save from point blank range, denying Guiseley a late winner.

With virtually the last action of the game, Simon Armstrong’s side snatched the victory. Macauley Smith showed great strength to win possession off a Guiseley defender, before cutting inside and picking out Gomersall. He made no mistakes, smashing the ball into the bottom corner, capping off an impressive comeback from the Baht’atters.

This victory sees Ilkley maintain their winning ways, defeating a strong Guiseley Academy side in an action-packed game.