ILKLEY Town and Field began the new West Yorkshire League Premier Division campaign in style, with both sides claiming impressive victories as they looked to put an early marker down

Ilkley’s fairly routine 4-2 victory at home to Huddersfield Amateur put them top after the opening round of fixtures. Goals from Harry Brown, Thomas Fleming, Darren Munday and Tom Smith eased the hosts to victory.

Strikes from Steven Bargh, Danny Farrar and Danial Softley also ensured Field claimed an opening weekend victory. A dominant display provided the home side with a 3-1 win over Carlton Athletic.

Ilkley travel to Carlton in the next round of fixtures while Field face a trip to Knaresborough Town.

But Otley Town and Oxenhope Recreation both came unstuck in their Division One curtain-raisers.

Otley suffered a 4-1 hammering on the road against Kirk Deighton Rangers, an Ashley Tatler brace causing the damage.

Oxenhope also fell short on opening weekend, going down at home to Wyke Wanderers in a tense and nailbiting 2-1 defeat.

Both sides were reduced to ten men, however it was Martin Hall and Louis Sterling who claimed the all-important goals to ensure Wyke went home with all three points.

Elsewhere, Salts held on to edge a 2-1 victory away to local rivals Pool. Strikes from Joshua Eastwood and Luke Rhodes ensured Salts just about got the three points.

BY HARRY WILLIAMS