The Emirates F.A. Cup 2020-2021. Preliminary Round.
Saturday 12th September 2020.
SILSDEN AFC 2 v 5 BOOTLE FC
Hurles-Brook 14, Shazad 48 Connelly 14, Peterson 22, 42, 52, Hodkinson 63.
Att. 211.
After a victory in the Extra-Preliminary Round at Eccleshill, the Cobbydalers were rewarded with a home tie against Bootle. That said, Silsden’s record against the Merseysiders in the NWCFL was dire, without a victory. Indeed Bootle’s last visit to Silsden ended with them winning seven-nil, although few of the present squad had been involved in those games. Keeper Ben Higginson came in for Alfie Darke (ill) and Liam Hudson for Josh Kaine.
The opening exchanges were scrappy with a series of fouls by both sides. Joe Mitchell sent Arley Barnes through on five minutes but the skipper’s shot was off target. Gradually Bootle began to test the Silsden rearguard with left back Michael Carberry breaking down the left. Silsden’s Leon Hurles-Brook then skipped down the left but, after cutting inside, he was forced wide and the move came to nought.
The visitors took the lead on fourteen minutes when John CONNOLLY curled the ball into the top corner. A minute later it was all-square with HURLES-BROOK cutting back to the left and firing his shot inside the near post.
Silsden then responded with both full backs being involved. After Hurles –Brook had had a cross cleared, left back Mark Everingham broke forwards and crossed beyond the Bootle penalty area. Right back Liam Hudson managed to kill the ball and shoot. His shot hit the goal stanchion. Unfortunately the defence was stretched and the speedy Tom PETERSON broke through for a second.
Three minutes after Trueman had gone close with a free-kick, the visitors were reduced to ten men when Blues’ skipper, Liam Loughlin, was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Barnes.
The Blues had to adjust, relying on breakaways where the pace of Peterson was a constant threat. Silsden striker Antony Brown looked Silsden’s best outlet, first having a low shot saved by Jones and then being brought down on the edge of the penalty box. The defensive wall did its job before another yellow card was shown to the visitors. After failing to get a clean header on Trueman’s free-kick, Brown broke clear but shot wide of the near post.
Another yellow card followed for Bootle, who were throwing bodies on the line. Barnes released Hurles-Brook down the right but he wasted his cross. Three minutes before the break, PETERSON, who had just been cautioned, outpaced a disjointed Silsden rearguard to put the visitors 3-1 up.
The second half started with Hudson breaking down the right. He was closed down and Bootle broke away. Fortunately Mitchell, who had spotted the danger, managed to clear the ball. Two minutes later, Khurram SHAZAD hit a shot from thirty yards out. A wicked bounce gave Jones no chance. 2-3!
Four minutes later Silsden were caught out on the half-way line again. Left-back Michael Carberry broke forwards, PETERSEN keeping pace with him, tapped home the cross with the defenders in his wake.
A corner for Silsden was curled in by Trueman and was headed over by Barnes before another Bootle breakaway was halted by Higginson’s head ten yard out of his area. Mitchel curled an effort over at the far end before Ben HODKINSON cut inside Everingham at the far post to make it five-two.
Carlton Pownall came on for Hudson and immediately went close, his shot landing on the roof of the net. Another cross from the right by Pownall and one from Everingham went begging.
There were half chances at both ends. Silsden threw caution to the wind and might have conceded more to the ten men, which with four minutes to go became nine when man-of the match Tom Peterson was dismissed.
Next week the Cobbydalers entertain Garstang in the FA Vase. In the meantime Manager Danny Forrest and his management team will have much to mull over.
SILSDEN AFC Higginson, Liam Hudson( Pownall 62) , Everingham, Trueman, Airey, Foley, Barnes, Mitchell(Morgan 74), Brown, Shazad(Wademan 74), Hurles-Brook. Subs. not used. Thompson, McKiernon, Fox.
BOOTLE FC. Jones, Richards, Carberry, Hoy, Cartwright, Connolly(Brandon 71), Hooper, Loughlin, Peterson(Coulton 88), Perry, Hodkinson(Pomeyie).
Referee. Mr. L. Caggiano. Assistants. Mr. L. Atkinson & Mr. T. Crossland
