In a closely contested match, South Liverpool and Ilkley struggled for possession early on.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 33rd minute, when Fidan Hajdari capitalized on a well-delivered corner from Elliot Owen, giving South a 1-0 lead.
Oscar Billington and Owen Hough had chances as South persisted in pressing, but the score was still 1-0 at halftime. South launched multiple intense attacks in the second half, creating early opportunities to put Ilkley on the defensive.
The away side went into the break disappointed after having no chances. The South would have been the same but for not seeing themselves with more of a lead.
Dominic Cain took Hajdari’s place after he suffered an injury in the 56th minute. The game went into a quiet phase until the 64th minute when Billington had a good opportunity to test the Ilkley keeper Jordan Moorhouse with a close-range attempt which was put behind for a corner.
Ilkley responded with chances of their own, forcing a solid save from South’s goalkeeper Lucas Allan in the 73rd minute. Moments later, Gonzalez Mele narrowly missed an opportunity to equalize.
South had another near-miss in the 77th minute, failing to double their lead. As the match approached injury time, Ilkley seized a lifeline with a stunning goal from Harry Brown just outside the area in the 90 1st minute, levelling the score at 1-1 with just three minutes left to play.
The drama continued in the 90+2nd minute when South’s goalkeeper Allan went down injured and needed to receive treatment.
The match ended in disappointment for South Liverpool FC. Who had held the lead for most of the game but couldn’t secure the victory.
Ilkley FC showed resilience, battling until the last minute to clinch a draw, leaving both sides with mixed emotions at the final whistle.
As things stand in the NWCFL First Division table Ilkley Town move to sixth after gaining that precious point. South Liverpool FC remain fourth but level on points with Atherton LR in third.
