The Hallmark League Premier Division 2018-19
Tuesday, October 30th, 2018
BOTTLE F.C 2 v 0 SILSDEN AFC
Cox 69, Jones 75 Att. 102
DEFEAT, BUT SEEDS OF RESURGENCE SHOWN
The Cobbydalers travelled to Bootle on Tuesday night determined to put Saturday’s five-nil defeat at 1874 Northwich behind them. They were buoyed by the return of Joe Gaughan, Reece Lyndon and Arley Barnes. Bootle, who had beaten Barlick 4-0 on Saturday, had moved into fourth place in the table, three points behind Silsden.
The game flowed from end to end with defences on both sides managing to thwart pacey and inventive attacks. Silsden looked lively with Niall Sultan looking sharp, but his shot was cleared after he was set up by Aidan Kirby. Josh Kaine broke up Bootle’s first attack before right-back Steve Hoy hit a long diagonal ball to Ryan Cox. The winger shot wide.
At the other end, a move involving Forrest and Gaughan ended with Reece Lyndon’s header being cleared in the goal area. Again Kaine intercepted another through ball.
Danny Forrest fed Reece Kendall down the left, but his cross was overhit. Kaine’s superb tackle on Carl Peers denied the Bucks a strike on goal. Bootle were inventive in attack but Kaine was reading the situation to perfection.
A mistake in the Silsden defence allowed Peers a chance but the striker hit it over the bar. At the back, Craig Bentham’s composure broke up another attack. Niall Sultan burst down the right and crossed into the box. Gaughan chested it down but Kirby’s shot was a foot wide. Lee saved Hickey’s low shot at the other end.
The game changed when Kaine was dismissed. Kaine and Cox were chasing down a Bootle through ball. In a “coming together”, outside the area, the Silsden skipper caught Cox, who went down. A free kick was given but Kaine was shown the red card as he was the last defender, tough on the skipper who was distraught. Steven Jones’ free kick was comfortably saved by Lee.
Silsden then went close when Reece Kendall hit a ball to Kirby who fed Gaughan. His shot just cleared the bar. The half time whistle went.
The second half began with two Silsden attacks. Sultan had a shot blocked and then a superb move involving Forrest, Sultan, Gaughan and Rhodes was broken up, at the expense of a corner. The ten men were holding their own.
On fifty-six minutes Will Storrie replaced Forrest. Sultan broke down the right and crossed. Storrie burst into the goal area but, with his first touch of the ball, he headed over the bar. It was a golden chance!
The Bucks response was swift and only the midriff of Barnes prevented Steven Hoy giving them the lead. Lee saved another effort from Hoy at his near post. With twenty minutes left Gaughan, who was defending, tried to head the ball back to his keeper. COX intercepted it and slotted in the opener. Gaughan tried to atone for his error at the other end but his shot was blocked.
Five minutes later the Bucks went two up. Hoy hit a perfect ball to JONES who took the ball on his chest before lashing a volley into the top corner of the Silsden goal. The Cobbydalers still thought they had a chance but Kirby had an effort cleared off the line and Lyndon headed Everingham’s corner wide.
Forrest was delighted with the response of the team after last Saturday’s insipid performance. He will have more players to choose from on Saturday and, hopefully, the Reds will have a little more luck when they entertain Bedlington Terriers in the second round of the F.A. Vase.
BOOTLE FC. R. Jones, Millington, Hoy, Murphy, Powell (Coughlan 53), Jago, Hickey, Loughlin, S. Jones, Peers (Foy 80), Cox. Subs not used. McGovern. Noon, Marie.
SILSDEN AF C. Lee, Bentham, Kendall, Kaine, Lyndon, Rhodes, Gaughan, Forrest (Storrie 56), Kirby, Sultan (Everingham 73). Subs not used. Moses, Darkins.
Referree. Mr. J. Kenny. Assistants. Mr. E. Holman and Mr. I. Hurdle.
