The Toolstation Northern Counties East F. L. Premier Division 2019-2020
Saturday Dec. 21st 2019.
THACKLEY A.F.C. 2 v 2 SILSDEN A.F.C.
Basi 36, Asa Mitchell 66. Sorhaindo 12, Britton 37. Att.180
HONOURS EVEN IN ENTERTAINING DERBY
The Cobbydalers made the short trip to Dennyfield on Saturday when only half of the Premier Division games went ahead. The pitch was heavy but fans were at least treated to a game after a prolonged period of disruption to the fixture list.
The Dennyboys were soon on the attack with Asa Mitchell firing wide from the edge of the penalty area. Silsden responded with a quick break down the right but keeper Luke Wilson was able to gather the ball on the line. Half chances came at both ends, Jay Benn shooting wide at one end before Thackley broke clear, Jack Boyle cutting across the penalty area before also shooting wide.
Silsden were prepared to keep possession until an opening arose, Brown releasing Matthias Britton. Former Cobbydaler Kris Hargreaves was caught out and Britton slid the ball to Laurence SORHAINDO to slot in the opener from eight yards. Silsden began to push the ball about with aplomb. Sorhaindo set up Khurram Shazad but his low shot was saved by Wilson.
Jay Benn was next to test the Dennyboys’ defence with a run down the right. Playing a one-two with Joe Mitchell, the youngster cut inside before driving the ball over the bar with the outside of his boot. Thackley’s only advance forward was a free-kick, Ryan Basi heading wide. Sorhaindo was proving a real threat. He released Jake Mountford but the youngster was forced wide after he slipped.
Finally, midway through the half, Thackley began to gain some control. Jack Normanton sped onto a long ball up the left but the Cobbydalers’ keeper Ben Higginson was swiftly off his line to make a great save. Shazad was back to break up another attack.
Silsden pressed down the flanks but it was Thackley who had the next chance, Dan Illingworth denying Asa Mitchell with a crunching tackle. Silsden were then caught out from a corner, A “Cruyff” turn by Boyle created another chance for Thackley but Josh Brown blocked the first effort and the second hit the side netting. Brown then denied Asa Mitchell with a sliding tackle.
Finally the Denny Boys got the equaliser. Ryan BASI, having moved into Silsden box for a corner, curled his effort towards the top corner of the Silsden net. It was as if the game had gone into slow-motion with Higginson rooted to his line as the ball spun past him and into the top corner net.
Within a minute Silsden were back in front. Britton broke from the halfway line, slid the ball to Sorhaindo, who cut in along the byline to hit a low cross. BRITTON was there to blast it home. Brown twice blocked efforts from the Dennyboys whilst Sorhaindo was denied a second goal on the stroke of half time.
The Thackley were first to show in the second half but Eisa Faulding overhit his cross wide. Silsden responded with Shazad releasing Sorhaindo who set up Britton. His shot lacked venom and Thackley broke quickly, Asa Mitchell shooting wide.
Gradually the Dennyboys gained the initiative and the Cobbydalers were relieved when Higginson made a superb single hand save to deny James Rothel. At the other end Joe Mitchell fired over from outside the box before Sorhaindo was pulled back on the edge of the area by Basi. The defender was lucky not to be cautioned and Silsden were unfortunate not to have a penalty without the benefit of VAR! Unfortunately Sorhaindo, the Cobbydalers best forward, was injured and was replaced by Aidan Kirby.
Before Silsden had settled the Dennyboys broke forward, ASA MITCHELL hitting a screamer into the top corner to level the scores. Silsden responded with Shazad and Britton combining to set up Barnes but the skippers shot cleared the crossbar. Shazad then cut across the box from the left beating two players but he ran into trouble. He then set up Britton but Wilson was quickly off his line to smother the ball.
With fifteen minutes left the Dennyboys looked more likely to get the fifth goal but both substitute Matt Hall and Normanton wasted clear chances as players tired on the heavy pitch. Hall’s cross provided Broadbent with a good opportunity but he headed just wide. Silsden substitute Chris Wademan tracked back to retrieve the ball before setting Khurram free. His shot was wide of the target as the final whistle went.
The points were shared in an entertaining game after a very disrupted few weeks. Hopefully the next game on Saturday 28th December, away at second-placed Hemsworth Miners’ Welfare, will go ahead as planned.
Finally the club send Best Wishes to all their Sponsors and Supporters for a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
THACKLEY FC Wilson, Faulding, Hunter, Whiteley, Basi, Hargreaves, Ibraimi(Sibanda 75), Rothel, Mitchell (Hall 70), Boyle (Broadbent 65), Normanton. Sus not used.Murphy and Poole
SILSDEN AFC. Higginson, Benn, Hudson, Barnes, Illingworth, Brown, Mountford (Wademan 75), Mitchell, Britton, Shazad, Sorhaindo (Kirby 63). Subs not used Bentham, Kaine, McKiernon.
Referee.Mr. J. Rhodes. Assistants. Mr. M. Brownsett and Mr. D. Holbrook
