The Hallmark League Premier Division 2018-19
Tuesday, September 11th 2018
IRLAM FC 3 v 3 SILSDEN AFC
Foulds 7, Boland 63, Spires 78, Rhodes 90,
Perry 73. Kirby 93p. Att. 107
LATE, LATE SHOW FROM SILSDEN SALVAGES A POINT
The Cobbydalers travelled to the Ambitek Stadium for their first ever encounter against Irlam F.C. The kick-off was delayed for fifteen minutes due to floodlight problems but both sides wanted the match to go ahead.
Irlam were involved in a pulsating FA Cup tie on Saturday, running out winners at Runcorn Town, a team with five wins out of five. Irlam won the five-goal thriller with a late winner. The Cobbydalers, having had a tough encounter on Saturday at Whitchurch, were not expecting an easy game. They got more than they bargained for in a match which Irlam dominated for seventy-five minutes.
The Mancunians were on the attack from the kick-off. Sam Bolton slid the ball down the right to the pacey Marcus Perry who glided past Reece Kendall to hit a low cross to Matt Bolland. Sammy Lee saved his weak shot. On seven minutes Irlam took the lead, Perry’s pace taking him past two defenders to set up FOULDS for a tap in.
Dan Illingworth headed over at the other end before Perry broke through again only to be denied by Lee. Aiden Kirby’s body strength created a half chance but the home side’s defence was difficult to break down . On eighteen minutes Jordan Buckley got behind the Silsden defence. He crossed to Haydn Foulds who missed a “sitter”!
Silsden responded well with Reece Lyndon heading over before Kendall broke clear, only to shoot wide. Bolton again fed Perry who cut back onto his left foot but Lee gathered the shot. Kaine then halted the pacey winger’s next run before Hancock split the defence with a through ball to Kirby, who was just off-side.
Before the break, Storrie and Kirby interchanged passes but Storrie slipped in the act of shooting. Perry again burst into the box but was denied by Lee. Silsden had been on the back foot for much of the half but were only one down.
The Cobbydalers came more into the game in the second half, but it was the home side who were more dangerous. The movement of the players and the slick passing were asking questions of the Silsden defence and the Yorkshire men were forced into several desperate clearances.
Whilst the Silsden defenders were looking to deny Perry space on the right, it was Haydn Foulds who had two chances to double their lead but he failed to increase the narrow lead.
Finally, ten minutes into the second half Silsden had a scoring chance. Hancock curled in a corner from the left which Kendall headed goalwards. Two defenders and the keeper managed to clear the ball off the goal line. Luke Rhodes and Joe Mitchell replaced Storrie and Lyndon and began to build up some momentum. However Perry broke clear again and crossed into the box. Matt BOLAND made it two.
Lee Spires came on for the injured Barnes, who had done so much defensive work. The emphasis was on attack but that left an opening for PERRY to drift though from the right, draw Lee out of his goal and chip the ball into the net. Seventeen minutes to go. Game over?
The Cobbydalers regrouped. They hadn’t lost a league game to date but anything but defeat look a long shot!
Mitchell threaded a ball to Kirby who, having broken through three defenders, couldn’t get his shot over the line. Hancock put the ball in the Irlam area. SPIRES did what he does best. He scored. A consolation goal?
Irlam broke away with some slick passing but the side-netting saved Silsden. Hancock swung in a corner. RHODES, at the far post, shot and a deflection saw the ball in the back of the net on ninety minutes. 3-2!
Irlam were stunned and three minutes later Hancock curled in a free-kick. Kendall went up for it but the keeper was deemed to have pushed him whilst trying to get the ball. Penalty! Up steps KIRBY. GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLL. 3-3. The final whistle goes.
What a game! What an advert for the North West Counties! The Irlam players were devastated. A fantastic game and by far the best outfit Cobbydalers have faced this season.
IRLAM FC. White, Bolton, Amado, Doyle, Ledson, Cassell, Perry, Morrison, Buckley (Martin 59), Boland (Eyers 88), Foulds (Pollitt 76).
Subs. not used. Griffiths, Jones .
SILSDEN AFC Lee, Bentham, Kendall, Kaine, Illingworth, Lyndon (Mitchell 56), Barnes (Spires 64), Hancock, Storrie (Rhodes 56), Kirby, Everingham. Subs not used. Turnbull, Tomas.
Referee. Mr. Morland. Assistants. Mr. M. Gupta and Mr. D. Chadwick.
