The Hallmark League Premier Division 2018-19
Saturday, 6th April 2019
Silsden AFC 2-0 Padiham FC
Wademan 77, 88(pen)
SUPER-SUB WADEMAN SEALS THE VICTORY
Playing only their second game since February 23rd, the Cobbydalers left it late to record a home win. The game finally came alive when Chris Wademan replaced Aidan Kirby. Within two minutes WADEMAN opened the scoring when he burst through the Storks defence with Niall Sultan offering support. The visitor’s defence was stretched allowing the Silsden marksman to blast the ball past Henry Bunting- Smith.
Before the opener, Padiham had worked hard to protect their goal as they aimed to pull further away from the relegation zone. Recent victories against bottom placed Abbey Hey 4-0 and lowly Hanley Town 1-0 had given them a boost. They had looked solid at the back and whenever there was an opening for the Cobbydalers the door was soon closed by fair means or foul.
The Cobbydalers only game in the six week spell had been a goalless draw against 1874 Northwich, a result put into perspective by 1874’s two victories against third-placed Congleton five –nil and two-nil.
Silsden began Saturday’s game with skipper Josh Kaine setting up the first attack. Kaine cut across his own penalty area and released Matty Moses who burst down the right. He crossed to Kirby who saw his effort blocked. The Storks responded with Lee Knight cutting a ball back to Mark Haslam but his cross was easily dealt with.
Kaine was superb at the back, reading the game so well that any breaks were quickly snuffed out. His partner at the back, Dan Illingworth was supreme in the air. Midway through the half Kaine, Moses and Kirby worked another chance but the striker was closed down, missing the decoy runs of the injured Laurence Sorhaindo.
Joe Mitchell set up a chance for Luke Rhodes but the midfielder headed over. Three minutes later Rhodes saw a low dive blocked but his follow up was too high. Silsden continued to dominate the ball but chances were few. In the dying minutes of the half Mitchell and Kirby combined. Rhodes effort was the closest Silsden got to an opener.
The Storks first attack in the second half led to a corner. Illingworth headed clear. It was ten minutes before either set of forwards created a chance, Kirby hitting Arley Barnes’ chip over the bar. On sixty minutes Rhodes and Josh McKiernon were replaced by Niall Sultan and Jordan Townend. Immediately Sultan’s attempted scissor kick lifted the crowd.
Silsden had some momentum and finally the yellow card was shown to two “Storks”! Barnes hit a left footer over the bar before Thomas Hulme headed a golden chance wide at the other end.
Enter Wademan! His opener opened the game up. Finally the game was settled when WADEMAN blasted home a penalty after Alan Zuqolli had brought down Sultan in the box. The talisman almost netted Sultan’s low cross a minute later. He did squeeze a later effort home but the whistle had gone for an infringement.
It hadn’t been a classic by any means and, despite training well, the lack of match fitness was evident. For Danny Forrest it was a game “well managed” with Silsden “patient and controlling the game”.
Next Saturday Silsden travel to Abbey Hey. The League’s bottom team won the corresponding game in January at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium one-nil !
SILSDEN AFC. Jakovlevs, Moses, Everingham, Kaine, Illingworth, Bentham, Barnes, Mitchell, Rhodes (Townend 60), Kirby (Wademan 75), McKiernon (Sultan 60). Subs not used Tomas, Hill.
PADIHAM. Bunting-Jones, Haslam, Monson (Hoskin 45), Zuqolli, Hancox (Morning 80), Howell (Unsworth 86), Pope, Reeves, Hulme, Knight, Ralph. Sub not used. Morrison.
Referee. Mr. G. Thomas. Assistants. Mr. K. Dawson and Mr. K. O’Donnell
