The Toolstation Northern Counties East F. L. Premier Division 2019-2020
Tuesday, August 20th 2019
SILSDEN A.F.C. 1 v 2 THACKLEY A.F.C.
Kirby 28 (pen) Normanton 41, Flaherty 65. Att. 234
CROSSBAR DENIES SILSDEN A SHARE OF THE SPOILS
The Cobbydalers, who entertained local rivals Thackley FC hoping to maintain their 100% record, fell short in the end of a pulsating match. Leading scorer Khurram Shazad was an absentee being replaced by Harrison Hardisty-Blackwell. Craig Bentham returned to the midfield.
Silsden started with Josh Kaine breaking up the right but his cross was just overhit. The Dennyboys responded with two breaks but Dan Illingworth intercepted on both occasions. Kaine then got on the end of a through ball but his shot hit the side netting. Illingworth was then cautioned for a rash challenge.
Arley Barnes fed Aidan Kirby whose cross was cleared for a corner before the striker combined with Harrison Hardisty-Blackwell, who slid the ball to Laurence Sorhaindo. The angle was just too tight for him to squeeze the ball home. Silsden continued to press. Kaine’s low shot was wide whilst Sorhaindo headed Barnes’ cross over the bar. Kirby and Barnes interchanged passes before Joe Mitchell saw his shot saved by Luke Wilson.
The Dennyboys’ first attack of note came 20 minutes into the game but Bentham snuffed out the danger. The visitors came close to opening the score two minutes later when Illingworth was dispossessed but Kieran Thompson’s cross was over the bar. When Mark Everingham failed to clear, Alfie Darke managed to gather the ball.
Kirby then received a long ball and immediately played it across the field to Kaine. The skipper drove up the right and fired in a fierce cross shot which rattled the bar. Harrison-Blackwell chased it down but the keeper followed him and tripped him up. Penalty! KIRBY put the spot kick wide of the keeper.
Silsden had dominated the game but that changed when Kaine was injured and had to be replaced, Liam Hudson replacing the skipper at right back. Thackley had a corner but one header was cleared and the follow up was headed wide.
Silsden had a good break ten minutes before the interval but Sorhaindo, chasing Mitchell’s through-ball, had strayed offside. The final ten minutes of the half belonged to the visitors. Bentham cleared one effort before former Cobbydaler, Kris Hargreaves, saw his header saved by Darke. Jack Normanton then found space behind Hudson and advanced on goal. Darke attempted to narrow the angle but NORMANTON netted the equaliser four minutes before the break. Normanton almost made it two, three minutes later but Darke made a fine save at the winger’s feet.
The Silsden keeper was injured at the start of the second half but after lengthy treatment was able to carry on. Hudson began to push forwards down the right and the Cobbydalers played some slick football with Sorhaindo and Kirby linking well. Hudson hit a shot over the bar whilst at the other end a cross was cleared by Everingham.
The Dennyboys then brought on two substitutes which gave them a new impetus. They pressurised the Silsden defence and, in a packed penalty area, Charlie FLAHERTY netted at the second attempt. Normanton then broke through but Darke was out quickly to deny him a second. Hunter, Flaherty and Muller created another chance only to be denied by Illingworth.
Finally Silsden managed to break out of the defence. Mitchell slid the ball through to Sorhaindo but his effort rattled the bar. Despite receiving an injury, Sorhaindo went close with a header and Barnes had a powerful free-kick blocked. The ball was cleared to Normanton who ran the length of the field only to shoot over.
It had been a hard fought derby which could have gone either way. Silsden now have a ten day break before they travel to Newton Aycliffe in the FA Vase. Danny Forrest will be hoping that gives enough time for several players to recover from their injuries.
SILSDEN AFC. Darke, Kaine (Hudson30), Everingham, Barnes, Illingworth, Brown, Bentham (Waddington76), Mitchell, Kirby (Forrest 76), Hardisty-Blackwell, Sorhaindo. Subs. not used. Higginson. McKiernon.
THACKLEY AFC. Wilson, Thompson, Hunter, Whiteley, Basi, Hargreaves, Muller, Flaherty (Boote76), Wood (Brooksbank62), Trueman (Hines 62) Normanton. Subs not used. Mitchell, Rothell.
Referee. Mr. C. Gough. Assistants. Mr. A. Warner and Mr. A. Hallam.
