The Emirates F.A. Cup 2019-2020. Extra Preliminary Round Replay
Tuesday, August 13th 2019
SILSDEN A.F.C. 3 v 4 NORTHWICH VICTORIA
Hudson 40, Kirby, 58, Shazad 66. Doran 25,26, Kilifin 35, Connolly 86. Att. 162.
COBBYDALERS FIGHTBACK ALL IN VAIN AS VICS NET LATE WINNER
After a late equalizer on Saturday SILSDEN bowed out of the FA Cup at the second time of asking following a seven-goal thriller at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium. Danny Forrest’s men fell to a winner four minutes from time from Northwich’s John CONNOLLY in this extra preliminary round replay.
The Cobbydalers held their own in the opening exchanges in Tuesday night’s tie but were indebted to keeper, Alfie Darke, whose superb save in the 24th minute kept them in the tie. Unfortunately, three minutes later, Silsden were two goals down as striker, Robert DORAN netted in the 25th and 26th minutes.
Silsden’s Aidan Kirby won a free-kick on the right-hand side in the 32nd minute, but Dan Illingworth had his resulting effort blocked. Matters went from bad to worse in the 35th minute when Thomas KILIFIN made it 3-0 to the visitors when he lobbed home goalkeeper, Darke. Last year’s FA Vase semi-finalists were well on top. Fortunately, Liam HUDSON gave Silsden a ray of hope five minutes from the interval, after he was fed following a quick free-kick.
The Vics peppered the Silsden goal in opening stages of the second half of this pulsating cup tie but Darke and his defenders held back the tide. Gradually the pendulum in this replay looked to be swinging back in Silsden’s favour as they made it 3-2 after 58 minutes. Striker Aidan KIRBY, who had earned Silsden a replay at Northwich in the original tie on Saturday, converted a penalty, after being fouled himself.
It was set up for a grandstand finish as Silsden continued to press forward. Lawrence Sorhaindo fired over the bar before and Kirby’s strike partner, summer signing Khurram SHAZAD, made it 3-3 in the 66th minute, going on a mazy run before beating two men and firing an effort into the top corner of the net from 20 yards out.
Northwich were rattled but both teams pressed for a winner before CONNOLLY struck late following a bit of pinball in the Silsden area. Danny Forrest came on for the last five minutes in a bid to force an equaliser. Sorhaindo had a final chance in the 89th minute but Taberner, the Northwich keeper, blocked his fierce shot before the he saved a header from Illingworth.
Despite their best efforts, it was all in vain as Silsden crashed out after four minutes injury time.
Silsden will look to bounce back from their cup exit when they entertain Maltby Main in the Cobbydale Construction Stadium on Saturday in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division and then Thackley at home on Tuesday 20th August.
SILSDEN AFC. Darke, Hudson, Barnes, Kaine, Illingworth, Bentham, McKiernon (Forrest 85), Mitchell, Kirby, Shazad, Sorhaindo. Subs not used Hardisty-Blackwell, Brown, Wignall, Parchment. (Waddington 77). Sutcliffe –Vetch
NORTHWICH VICTORIA F.C. Taberner, Camozzi, Barski, Winder, Kenny, Wilson, Toner, Clarke, Doran(Fleming 76), Kilifin, Connolly. Crowther, Grundy. Subs not used Henry, Fitzgerald.
