The Toolstation Northern Counties East F. L. Premier Division 2019-2020
Saturday Dec. 7th 2019.
BOTTESFORD TOWN 1 v 3 SILSDEN A.F.C.
Att. 47. Bowskin 46. Hudson 22, Sorhaindo 42, 57.
YOUNGSTERS BENN AND TAYLOR ON FIRE
The Cobbydalers maintained their recent form with a 3-1 win at Bottesford on Saturday, with goals from Liam Hudson and Laurence Sorhaindo who netted a brace.
Silsden started without Josh Kaine, who pulled out at the last minute with sickness, with Hudson slotting in at the back. Town were soon on the attack but Ben Higginson gathered Jack McMenemy’s cross to launch a Silsden attack. Jay Benn released Jake Taylor down the right, who played a one-two with Khurram Shazad before seeing his curling shot saved.
Town’s Tom Johnstone then sent Wayne Graves free down the left but the ball was cleared down the right, Aidan Kirby heading Jay Benn’s cross over the bar. Town went close on their next sortie forwards but Dan Illingworth managed to clear the danger.
Gradually the Cobbydalers began to assert themselves with youngsters Benn and Taylor opening up the Town defence with pace and precision. Sorhaindo was on the end of one cross but slipped in the act of shooting before Kirby netted but was flagged offside.
The opening goal came from a Silsden corner. Keeper Birch spilled the ball and HUDSON fired it in from close range. From the restart Bottesford had a corner but Tom Johnstone headed wide. Joe Mitchell was busy tracking back to protect the defence when the Silsden defensive line was breached, but a twenty-five yard effort from Jack Bowskin was just wide of the mark.
The game swung one way then the other but when Shazad put Sorhaindo through only a sharp response from the Town keeper denied Silsden a second.
On thirty minutes Mark Everingham, who has been superb at left-back this campaign pulled a hamstring. He was replaced by Josh Brown.
Silsden, with Benn and Taylor opening the defence, began to take control. Kirby went close with a header and Benn with a shot before Khurram saw two efforts blocked. Kirby broke down the right and crossed to Taylor, who saw his effort graze the far post before Mitchell sent a defence-splitting pass to Shazad who curled his shot wide.
Silsden were almost punished for their profligacy when Barnes failed to clear. McMenemy reached the byline and slid the ball goalwards, where it struck the near post before rolling along the goal line with the Silsden defence helpless. Luckily it rolled out of play past the far post.
Immediately Silsden punished the home side. The referee played a good advantage after a break by the Cobbydalers was partially halted. Kirby broke on goal to set up SORHAINDO for a tap-in.
The second half began with Kirby breaking down the left before playing a one-two with Shazad. Unfortunately the angle was too tight for him to squeeze the ball home. Bottesford’s keeper hit a long ball which caught the wind. Jack BOWSKIN lashed it home from twenty-five yards out.
Silsden withstood some pressure before they restored their two-goal cushion. Barnes sent Hudson down the right, he crossed and Birch fumbled, and SORHAINDO stabbed it home.
Town’s skipper was then sin-binned for ten minutes and Silsden began to take control. Kirby’s cross found Barnes who saw his shot saved before Shazad fired wide. Benn and Taylor continued to open up the home defence as Town started to hit long-balls which got caught on the wind. The Cobbydalers defence just shielded the ball dead.
Shazad was replaced by Matthias Britton who immediately released Wademan, who had come on for Kirby, but he was closed down. Silsden denied the home side any more opportunities to seal three points.
Next Saturday The Cobbydalers entertain Athersley Recreation at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium K.O.3pm
BOTTESFORD TOWN. Birch, Cranidge, Cross, Ridley, Johnstone, Cook, Bowskin, Pembleton (Hudson 85), Boulton (Abdullah 47) Spencer (McMenemy 75), Graves. Subs not used Train, Leaning
SILSDEN AFC. Higginson, Benn, Everingham (Brown 30), Hudson, Illingworth, Barnes, Mountford, Mitchell, Kirby (Wademan 61), Shazad (Britton 61), Sorhaindo. Sub not used. McKiernon.
Referee. Mr. L. Watson. Assistants. Mr. T. Beck and Mr. D. Sutton.
Image courtesy of Rob Barraclough
