The Toolstation Northern Counties East F. L. Premier Division 2019-2020
Saturday, August 3rd 2019
PENISTONE CHURCH F.C. 1 v 2 SILSDEN A.F.C. Lovell 90. Shazad 22 Kirby 85. Att. 207
COBBYDALERS OFF TO A FLYING START IN NEW LEAGUE.
The Cobbydalers travelled to Penistone Church to kick-start their account in the Northern Counties East League. Penistone had finished last season as the runners-up to Worksop Town but, over the close season, they had lost six of last-seasons’ squad. The Cobbydalers had finished last season in mid-table but had not had a happy pre-season. For this opening fixture they were without centre back Dan Illingworth, Josh Brown and Matty Moses.
On paper it looked a tough opener for the Cobbydalers but Manager Danny Forrest had instilled in his squad the need to keep possession and play as much football on the ground, especially considering the height advantage of the home side. Ryan Johnson stood head and shoulders above the Silsden attackers and he was always a threat at set pieces. Fortunately Cobbydalers’ keeper Alfie Darke was his match in the air.
After some early possession by the Cobbydalers, Penistone’s Luke Aldridge went close following some swift passing, then Nathan Keightley broke down the left but shot across the face of the Silsden goal. Arley Barnes hit a shot from 30 yards out which cleared the home cross bar before Josh Kaine’s positional play denied the home side, catching them offside on two occasions.
Laurence Sorhaindo combined well with Khurram Shazad before unleashing a dipping shot which Chris Snaith did well to tip over the bar. After an interception by Joe Mitchell, the ball was moved to Sorhaindo down the right. He slid the ball into the Church penalty area to SHAZAD, who drove the ball home to give the visitors the lead on twenty-two minutes. Three minutes later Mitchell hit a glorious pass out to Aidan Kirby on the right. Kirby’s shot was well saved by Snaith as the Cobbydalers moved the ball with confidence.
Penistone then applied some pressure but Josh McKiernon cleared the danger. The home side then wasted two good chances, Ash Ellis and Callum Lee’s efforts lacking direction. Sorhaindo then broke between two defenders and fed Mitchell, but the mid-fielder’s shot went into the side-netting. Penistone pressed but they lacked the composure in front of goal and only in the final minute of the half was Alfie Darke called upon to punch a dangerous cross clear.
Silsden almost doubled their lead early in the second half. Right back Liam Hudson broke forwards and cut inside before slipping the ball to Shazad, who had moved out to the wing. He crossed the ball low to Kirby whose extra touch gave the defence a chance to clear. At the other end, Barnes showed his versatility with some excellent defending. Ten minutes into the half Liam Hudson again broke forwards slipping the ball to McKiernon. McKiernon’s reverse pass found Sorhaindo but Snaith managed to smother his shot.
The home side began to put more pressure on the Cobbydalers defence but, after Luke Aldridge had shot wide, Darke made a fantastic save to deny Keightley. Silsden then broke with Kirby setting up McKiernon but his shot lacked venom. Back came the home side. Darke was swiftly off his line to thwart Firth before Barnes’ timely interception broke up another attack. Keightley fired wide.
Eventually Silsden almost netted a second. Mark Everingham slid the ball to Shazad who side stepped his marker. His powerful shot beat Snaith but rebounded off the far post. Penistone pushed their tall centre half forwards. Kaine and Barnes were pressurised by the long ball in the air but, whenever they were beaten, Darke was on hand to punch clear. Finally, the Cobbydalers got their second five minutes from the end. McKiernon broke forwards and slid the ball to Shazad. A dip of the shoulder created space to slide the ball to KIRBY who blasted the ball home.
Penistone still put pressure on the Silsden goal area. Darke was put under enormous pressure and finally a goal came in stoppage time, Lovell netting after a scramble on the goal line, with Darke and the ball ending in the net! The final whistle went immediately after the restart.
The Silsden side might have been dwarfed by their opponents but they used their nous to keep the ball on the turf and to keep possession when under pressure. Barnes was superb as a stand-in centre back and Darke commanding in the goal. The slick movement of the forwards tested the back four of Penistone. It was a fine start to the campaign.
Next Saturday the Cobbydalers travel to Northwich Victoria in the Buildbase F.A. Cup. Last season the Silsden outfit suffered a heavy defeat in the league in Cheshire and then were knocked out of the FA Vase by the eventual, semi-finalists. It will be a tough test.
PENISTONE CHURCH. Snaith, Lee, Young, Ellis, Johnson, Lovell, Howes, Firth, Keightley, Barlow(Kemp 73), Aldrich(Mundy73). Subs not used. Cadzow, Whittaker, Law.
SILSDEN AFC. Darke, Hudson, Everingham, Kaine, Barnes, Bentham, McKiernon, Mitchell, Kirby(Forrest 88), Shazad, Sorhaindo(Parchment 88). Subs not used. Higginson, Waddington, Hardisty-Blackwell.
Referee. Mr. D. Smith. Assistants. Mr. W. Gray and Mr. W Booth.
