The Toolstation Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division 2020-2021
Saturday 17th October 2020
MALTBY MAIN FC 1 v 0 SILSDEN AFC
Maltby Main FC Goalscores: Hill 16
Silsden AFC Goalscorers: N/A
Attendance: 147
COBBYDALERS HELD AT BAY BY MINERS
The Cobbydalers, who travelled to Maltby on Saturday, welcomed back Alfie Darke in goal whilst Myles Foley came in at the back, replacing the injured Dan Illingworth. A visit to the old Yorkshire coalfield is never easy but the Cobbydalers were unfortunate not to take a share of the points. Unlike the wide open spaces at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium, the “miners” pitch is narrow with a definite slope, which the home side tried to exploit in the first half.
Darke was soon in the action, denying Jed McGowan in the opening minutes. Two minutes later he managed to gather Luke Fletcher’s “cross-cum-shot” from the right wing. The game was being played largely in the Silsden half on the downslope side. Joe Mitchell broke up one attack and then Sean Airey headed a corner away. Darke made a fine save to his right but was unable to gather the ball. Jonathan Hill burst forwards but Airey blocked his follow-up.
The Miners continued to dominate possession and inevitably notched the opener when Fletcher hit a deep cross from the right and HILL headed it home at the back post in a packed goal area. With more game time behind him Darke might have saved it, but a minute later he dived at the feet of the marauding Mitchell Dunne to deny the Miners a second. It seemed at this point that it would be a goal fest for Maltby.
Josh Kaine then blocked Jonathan Williams’ low shot before the Cobbydalers finally settled. With Airey employing his experience and positioning, Miles Foley found Joe Mitchell, who slid the ball up the wing to Jake Maltby. His powerful shot cleared the bar.
Jake Maltby began to provide an outlet but Khurram Shazad came closest to opening the Cobbydalers’ account with a curling effort which James Pollard saved. At the other end Kaine was put under pressure as the miners chased the ball down. He managed to clear it but when it was swung into the box, the skipper’s dangerous high boot resulted in a penalty. Darke dived skilfully the right way as Fletcher spot kick hit the post. This proved to be a turning point with Silsden taking more control.
Silsden were still put under pressure but they were gradually coming more into the game. Wademan, who had seen little of the ball in the first thirty minutes, managed to latch onto Leon Hurles-Brook’s through ball. His powerful shot was deflected wide. Silsden called for a penalty but the referee judged it to be “ball-to-hand”.
Mitchell made a telling challenge as Hill cut in and Hurles-Brook’s deft touch led to another half chance. As the half-time break approached a perfect tackle by Myles Foley denied Steven Powell, before Airey’s foresight caught the Miners offside.
Silsden began the second half on the offensive, with Mitchell managing to spread the ball about. Barnes fired over the bar before Shazad shot wide and Wademan hit the side netting. A long hopeful ball from Foley wasn’t cleared and Hurles-Brook followed in. Pollard saved on the goal-line. Wademan went close.
The Miners hadn’t been much of a force up front in this half, but Darke made a fine save low to his right as Dunne broke forwards. Silsden countered with a curling ball in from Khurram. The ball was deflected goalwards but well saved by Pollard. Harry Thompson came on for Wademan and Carlton Pownall for Parsons.
Airey and Pownall were both cautioned for pulling back attackers as Silsden threw men forwards. When the Miners did breakaway, Foley and Barnes made timely interceptions. Pownall began to prove a threat down the left with power and pace, hitting a “screamer” narrowly wide. With ten minutes left on the clock, Hurles-Broke hit a superb free-kick to the far post. Foley burst in but his header was narrowly wide. Robbie Fox came on for Shazad and his pace caused problems but Silsden just couldn’t get that vital goal. Twice the Miners broke forwards to the edge of the penalty area and twice they were denied by Darke.
It had been a compelling match with the Miners just shading it. The home fans were relieved when the final whistle went. The Cobbydalers now have a free week with the next game being away at Albion Sports on Wednesday 28th Oct. followed by a trip to Thackley on the following Saturday.
MALTBY MAIN FC: Pollard, Cutts, McGowan (Smith 62), Morton, Austin, Beatson, Fletcher, Williams (Chipps 74), Hopewell (Nagi 58), Dunne, Hill.
SILSDEN AFC: Darke, Barnes, Parsons (Pownall 64), Kaine, Airey, Foley, Maltby, Mitchell, Wademan (Thompson 64), Shazad (Fox 72), Hurles-Brook.
Subs not used: Hudson, Morgan.
Referee: Mr.C.Rose
Assistants: Mr.C.King and Mr.R.Langdon
