The Hallmark League Premier Division 2018-19
Tuesday, 11th December, 2018
CONGLETON TOWN FC 5 v 0 SILSDEN AFC
Adegbenro 17, Henderson 21,88, Cope(pen) 68, Schofield 85. Att. 120
BEARS ON TOP BUT SCORELINE HARSH ON COBBYDALERS
The mid-week trip to Cheshire was always going to be a tough one for the Cobbydalers, against second-placed Congleton Town at the Silk 106.9 Stadium. Ten of their last eleven games have been away from home but they have won ten of the eleven, only losing 1-0 at Irlam. Keeper Craig Ellison has won the “Macron goalkeeper of the month award” for three out of the first four months of the season, as the Bears have only conceded eleven goals in eighteen league games. In contrast, before this game, the Cobbydalers had conceded 45 in 21 games.
Arley Barnes returned for Silsden in place of Reece Kendall and the Yorkshire side hoped to build on Saturday’s win at Runcorn. The Bears were quickly out of the blocks with Daniel Cope shooting wide in the second minute. Silsden settled, pressing the Bears back. Reece Lyndon hit a low shot from thirty yards out but it was just off target. Niall Sultan broke down the left. He was fouled but the free-kick was cleared.
Silsden were closing down quickly but Congleton moved the ball swiftly and Tony Griffiths fired wide from the edge of the box. The pressing of the visitors forced the Bears to pass back but a mistake gave possession to the home side on seventeen minutes and ADEDBENRO punished the Reds. The pressure intensified with Illingworth denying Henderson at the expense of a corner, from which Foster shot wide.
A second goal soon followed, HENDERSON brushing Kaine aside before curling the ball past Jacovlevs. Two-nil! The paced eased a little and Barnes and Sultan combined well but the Bears defenders were quick to close the Cobbydalers down. A hamstring injury forced Lyndon to be substituted, Craig Bentham being brought on.
Silsden managed to hold out until half-time but when Moses slipped. The Reds were fortunate that Warburton’s screamer sailed over the bar. Silsden almost pulled a goal back five minutes before the break. Sultan swung over a free-kick which Gaughan headed goalwards but Tom Morris was able to head it for a corner.
The second half started with the Cobbydalers on top. Griffiths managed to clear Sultan’s shot for a corner. Sultan took the corner, Bentham headed over. Wademan’s mazy run was eventually halted before Sultan burst into the penalty area only to be stopped by Morris. Mitchell then saw a shot deflected for a corner. Sultan cross was cleared to Mitchell who curled the ball inches wide.
Silsden’s pressing continued with Wademan latching onto a long throw-in to test the keeper from close range. Ellison couldn’t hold the ball and Williams cleared with an over-head kick. Wademan hit a first time volley which just cleared the bar. Fifteen minutes into the second half the Bears finally broke away but Copes effort cleared the bar. Jakovlevs made a good save from Cope after Warburton had whipped in a free-kick.
After a very good spell, rebuffed by the League’s best defence, the game changed after Illingworth, who was forcing Henderson out of the penalty area, was adjudged to have tripped the Bears forward. COPE made it three nil from the penalty spot!
A super ball from Bentham released Wademan who beat the full back but his effort was saved by Ellison. Ainscough came on for Rhodes but so far the former Clitheroe man has been unable to make an impact. The Cobbydalers still tried to be creative but, in doing so, gaps opened up at the back. Cope volleyed over after substitute Bev Burney had crossed into the box. Henderson shot into the stand before SCHOFIELD showed his teammates how to finish: his volley from the Henderson cross drew gasps from the crowd. Henderson made it five two minutes from time.
Congleton were the best side the Cobbydalers have played this season but the five-nil scoreline was harsh on the visitors, who move on. Games at Squires Gate and Ashton Athletic may prove more rewarding. Congleton’s game at City of Liverpool on Saturday looks like being one of the games of the season!
CONGLETON TOWN FC. Ellison, Williams, Peters, Ryder, Morris, Griffith, Foster(Burey 63), Warburton, Cope(Disney 81), Henderson, Adegbenro(Main 81). Subs not used. Jamieson, Schofield.
SILSDEN AFC. Jacovlevs, Barnes, Moses(Everingham 70), Kaine, Illingworth, Lyndon(Bentham 28), Rhodes(Ainscough 58), Mitchell, Wademan, Gaughan, Sultan. Sub not used. Forrest.
Referee Mr. T. Elliott. Assistants. Mr. O. Crow and Mr. J. Graham.
