The Hallmark League Premier Division 2018-19
Saturday, September 22nd, 2018
WINSFORD UNITED 2 v 3 SILSDEN AFC
Taylor 61, Watling 68. Lyndon 5, Mitchell 83,
Hancock 89. Att.150
THE COBBYDALERS, THE COMEBACK KIDS
The Cobbydalers travelled to Cheshire on Saturday for their second encounter with Winsford United. The corresponding game at the Cobbydalers Construction Stadium in August ended with United losing 4-2, having had two men sent off. Winsford sit third from the bottom of the Premier League table with only two draws from their first seven league games.
On paper the game looked an easy one for the unbeaten Cobbydalers (in the league) but once again the Yorkshire outfit needed late goals to seal all three points. Indeed, even with nine men in the earlier fixture at Silsden, the Blues still had had chances, which suggests they are in a false position in the league.
Danny Forrest brought in Reece Lyndon to patrol the midfield with Arley Barnes still not fully fit.
Silsden were on the offensive from the kick off with Aidan Kirby’s shot being cleared for a corner. Keeper Jack Cookson punched Kyle Hancock’s corner clear but it wasn’t long before the Reds took the lead. Mitchell crossed into the box, Kirby headed on and LYNDON headed home.
Winsford responded with Scott Taylor bursting down the right. Dan Illingworth headed Taylor’s first cross clear before Taylor set up David Short who curled an effort wide. Reece Kendal then broke up the next Winsford attack before Josh Kaine denied Short.
Sammy Lee saved Short’s next shot, whilst at the other end Rhodes’ effort cleared the Winsford bar. Kaine again denied Short before the home side created their best chance. Jack Fowles swung over a corner which reached Ryan Hopper beyond the far post. Hopper headed it back in but Peter Watling’s header cleared the bar.
It wasn’t a classic by any means. Rhodes set up Hancock but the midfielder was off balance and shot wide. On the stroke of half time Mark Everingham sent Kirby through but he saw his shot curl past the far post.
The Reds started the second half with more purpose. Hancock volleyed wide after good link up play between Rhodes and Everingham then the Winsford defence failed to clear Everingham’s cross. Kirby killed the ball and chipped the keeper but his effort cleared the bar. Lyndon’s volley met a similar fate, after Hancock had set him up, before Hancock himself was denied by a diving save from Cookson.
Silsden looked to be in total control but a second goal eluded them. The closest they came was when a one-two between Everingham and Kirby ended with the keeper, again, thwarting Kirby.
For all their domination in a workmanlike performance, Silsden were facing the barrel of a gun after two errors at the back. On sixty-one minutes a long ball was pumped into the Silsden area. It was allowed to bounce and Illingworth, in the goal area, could only get the lightest of touches on it. Lee was surprised to see the ball heading for the goal and he managed a slight touch which caused the ball to rebound off the bar. Scott TAYLOR headed home with Silsden in disarray.
Seven minutes later United took an improbable lead. The ball was swung into the Silsden box. “Keeper’s ball” screamed Lee. The ball squirmed out of his grasp and Peter WATLING saved the keeper’s blushes by getting the final touch.
Twenty two minutes to go. The Cobbydalers weren’t going down without a fight. Barnes and Storrie came on. Immediately Storrie weaved his way past four defenders at pace and fed Kirby, who saw his shot tipped over the bar. Kendall headed goalwards from the corner but there was no one following up. Hancock then had a dipping shot which Cookson gathered comfortably.
Seven minutes left. The fans believed…the Cobbydalers are masters of late come backs. Mitchell and sub, Arron Davis. exchanged passes. MITCHELL coolly chipped the ball over Cookson. Level pegging. Illingworth saw a header cleared. Winsford broke away and Kendall lost concentration. Their attack was cleared. Storrie found Hancock with a superb cross-field ball. HANCOCK dipped his shoulder, cut inside his marker and hit a shot over Cookson from outside the penalty area into the top corner. 3-2.
In stoppage time Lee made amends for his errors with a save from Short. Phew!
The Cobbydalers moved back to the top of the table with City of Liverpool being on F.A. Cup duty.
The Cobbydalers now face a trip to Northwich Victoria (7th) on Saturday before entertaining City of Liverpool on Tuesday Oct 2nd (8pm).
City of Liverpool may regain top spot tomorrow if they win their home game against Litherland.
WINSFORD UNITED. Cookson, Fowles, Clarke, Hopper, Duckworth, Henson, Taylor (Byrnes 69), Kerr (Howell 80), Watling, Short, Marshall. Subs not used. Fisher, Duckworth, Osborne.
SILSDEN AFC. Lee, Bentham, Kendall, Kaine, Illingworth, Lyndon (Barnes 65), Mitchell, Hancock, Everingham (Storrie 65), Kirby, Rhodes (Davis 78). Subs not used Baldwin, Forrest.
Referee. Mr. N. Evans. Assistants. Mr. J. Naisbett and Mr. D. Wallis.
