The Hallmark Security League Macron League Cup 1st Round
Saturday 20th October, 2018
SILSDEN AFC 0 v 2 GARSTANG F.C.
Att. 125 R. Coar 72, 78.
DEPLETED COBBYDALERS OUT OF LEAGUE CUP
The Cobbydalers entertained Division One side Garstang on Saturday in the Macron League Cup. The Silsden outfit were far from their best but they created enough chances to have won the game. In the end, after two draining cup games against Staveley, they ran out of steam.
With a number of injuries, the Cobbydalers were rocked by the late withdrawal of Dan Illingworth, injured whilst walking his dog! Danny Forrest might well have been able to give skipper Josh Kaine, struggling for full fitness, a place on the bench but Kaine came on with the squad bereft of a number of players.
Facing a strong sun and a westerly wind, the Cobbydalers were pushed back at the start, with Alan Coar shooting wide then seeing his second effort blocked by the skipper. Silsden were soon pressing at the other end. Arley Barnes had a shot blocked, as did Craig Bentham. Bentham then hit a superb free-kick into the Garstang area but Reece Kendall headed over.
The visitors denied the Yorkshire side time and space in the last third of the pitch but the Cobbydalers almost took the lead on twenty minutes when an audacious Gaughan free-kick from forty yards out rattled the bar. Kirby flicked a ball through to Barnes whose shot was blocked, before Luke Baldwin brought a good save from Will Kitchen.
Although they defended in depth, Garstang were quick on the break. Bentham’s superb interception halted Coar before a mistake by Kendall gave the striker a chance. Bentham blocked his shot. At the other end Storrie saw his shot saved after cutting in from the right, before Kaine broke up another counter-attack.
In the dying minutes of the half, Kieran O’Conner headed Tom Entwisle’s corner over the bar. At the other end, Gaughan hit a free-kick into the defensive wall after Storrie had been upended.
The pattern continued in the second half, with Kendall clearing an early attack. Kirby set up Storrie but his shot was blocked before Baldwin’s drive hit the side netting. At the other end, Lee was injured as Coar fired over the bar. With defences on top, few chances were created before a slick move on seventy minutes involving Gaughan and Kirby set up Storrie. His shot was blocked. Two more efforts were charged down before Garstang broke away and substitute Ric COAR broke through to net the opener.
Forrest replaced Ellis Craven and was set-up by Gaughan. His effort was just over the bar. A careless pass by Everingham was punished as COAR netted his second.
Tomas and Ben Darkins came on for Storrie and Kaine. At two nil down the Cobbydalers almost accepted their fate. Not quite! In the dying minutes Forrest fed Gaughan. His shot was marginally too high and then Barnes saw his volley saved. Tomas crossed and Gaughan hit another just over.
On another day the Cobbydalers might have netted four or five but credit to the visitors, who threw their bodies in the line of fire, in their determination to keep a clean sheet.
Forrest will be pleased not to have a midweek game, after having played twenty games since the fourth of August. The injury list is long and physio, Andy Henson, will have a busy week. The injuries have allowed junior players to get a taste of “The Big Time” but the manager will be hoping some of his injured players are able to return either at 1874 Northwich on Saturday or Bootle on Tuesday, Oct. 30th.
SILSDEN AFC Lee, Everingham, Kendall, Kaine (Darkins 80), Bentham, Craven (Forrest 70), Barnes, Gaughan, Storrie (Tomas 80), Kirby, Baldwin. Sub not used. Hardisty-Blackwell.
GARSTANG FC. Kitchen, Birch, Nagy, O’Connor, Ross, Cattermole, Graham, Entwisle (Sailor 45), A. Coar (Murphy 68), McKenna (R. Coar 60), Hothersall,
Referee. Mr. J. Bickerdike. Assistants Mr. M. Treyethan and Mr. A. Murphy
