THE WEST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE COUNTY CUP 2018-19                   

First Round.  Tuesday, 9th October 2018.

        BARNOLDSWICK TOWN 2 v 0 SILSDEN AFC.                     

Young 45, Airey 47.                          Att.125

        SILSDEN BEATEN AS INJURY LIST GROWS

          The Cobbydalers made the short journey to Barlick for a West Riding Cup game.  With Silsden having a trip to Staveley Miners Welfare in the FA Vase on Saturday and Barlick travelling to Winsford, it was a game which both sides might have been reluctant to play due to the chance of more injuries. This was the case for Silsden in particular and, unfortunately, they ended the game with several more injured players.

          That said, this was a local derby so there was more at stake than usual, especially with Barlick fielding five former Silsden players. The home side were swiftly into their stride forcing a corner but Silsden soon gained some initiative. Reece Kendall set up Arley Barnes who drove in a low shot which was cleared, as was Reece Lyndon’s effort, after a break down the right by Will Storrie. Niall Sultan then went close before Barlick broke free. Josh Kaine halted Zac Dale, who was injured in the challenge and had to be substituted.

          Silsden were unlucky not to take the lead after eleven minutes when Kendall headed Sultan’s cross goalwards. Ryan Livesey managed to push it onto the bar. Kendall, under pressure, headed the rebound over. Dan Illingworth then hit a super ball which just skidded ahead of Sultan.

          Barlick took charge with Elliot Fenton cutting in from the left. Kaine half-cleared the ball but it was driven back in. However, Sammy Lee saved low down at the near post. Kaine denied Jack Coop at the expense of a corner.

          Barnes then hit a superb ball through the Barlick defence. Kirby was on it in a flash but Livesey denied him with a finger-tip save. Illingworth went close from a corner and Storrie’s left-foot curler grazed the far post. Sultan (hamstring) was replaced by Luke  Baldwin.

          Barlick’s Harry Thomson then fed Andy Hill but Kaine managed to block his shot.

          It had been a thoroughly entertaining half with some slick football but that all changed on the stroke of half time. Reece Lyndon’s tackle on Mark Threlfall was deemed dangerous and he was shown the red card. Threlfall continued to play all but the final five minutes of the game. In stoppage time YOUNG latched onto a free-kick to open the scoring for Barlick.

          Two minutes into the second half, Sean AIREY headed home a corner. Kaine (back) was replaced by Bentham. The expectation was for both sides to ease up in preparation for Saturday. Whether that was the right thing for the Cobbydalers or not, that thought never entered the players’ minds and the ten men battled hard to get back into the game.

          Kirby cut behind the defence but was denied by the keeper’s feet and then the Silsden striker hit the Barlick bar! With Silsden attacking and a man down, Barlick could counter attack. Lee made a superb save from Fenton before Kendall sent Kirby through again but the striker was out of luck.

          Danny Forrest came on for Everingham (groin). Barnes played a one- two with Kirby but, no matter how much they tried, the Silsden forwards were out of luck. The closest they came to a goal was when Marc Young’s back-pass beat his own keeper but went wide of the far post.

          Mitchell then joined the injury list before Luke Baldwin almost pulled a goal back after a mazy dribble as the final whistle went.

          The Cobbydalers fans had nothing but praise for their side, whose ten men had the better of the second half.  But at what cost?   Lee (broken finger) was  added to the casualties.  Forrest, so proud of his team, will be scratching his head before Saturday hoping Physio Andy Henson can work some miracles!

BARNOLDSWICK TOWN.  Livesey, Wilson, McEneany , Crorken, Young, Airey, Dale (Coop 6), A.  Hill, Threlfall  (G. Hill 85), Thompson, Fenton. Subs. not used. Ormrod, Teal, J.Hill.

SILSDEN AFC. Lee, Everingham (Forrest 75),  Kendall,  Kaine (Bentham 55), Illingworth,  Lyndon,  Barnes,  Mitchell,  Storrie,  Kirby, Sultan (Baldwin 29). Sub not used. Rhodes.

Referee. Mr. M. Brownsett.  Assistants. Mr I. Bradley and Mr I Thornton