The Emirates FA Cup 2021-2022 – Extra Preliminary Round
Saturday, 7th August 2021
SILSDEN AFC 0 V 4 ECCLESHILL UNITED
Attendance: 192
The Cobbydalers entertained local rivals Eccleshill United in this seasons FA Cup (Extra Preliminary Round), having beaten the visitors 3-1 at the same stage last season. The visitors started confidently, keeping possession, before driving a long ball out of play. On two minutes Lewis Gardner managed to get across in from the by-line but United’s keeper, Brad Emmerson, gathered Khurram Shazad’s low shot.
United broke forwards but Luke Aldridge had strayed marginally offside. Joe Jagger latched onto a weak back-pass but the visitors’ keeper managed to gather the ball at the forward’s feet. Mohammad Qasim then weaved his way past three defenders but was denied by Emmerson. Arley Barnes hit a long ball to Lewis Gardner but Ben Bodle managed to head it back for a corner.
Silsden, who was playing with a back-three, were then indebted to Barnes, who denied the visitors a clear opening. Eccleshill were beginning to take control of the midfield and only a magnificent save by Sammy Lee stopped them from taking the lead on thirteen minutes. The Cobbydalers response was another effort from Qasim but his shot was wide of the target. Silsden began to move the ball quickly but their next three attacks were halted by the assistant’s flag for offside. Jagger, who had been instrumental in all three, then cut in from the left. Managing to beat the United’s keeper, his shot was deflected for a corner.
Eccleshill dominated the next ten minutes, with Lee forced to make a low save from Zackary Sangster who, along with Emmerson Cox, were stretching the home defence. Thanks to the dependable Barnes, Airey and Lee, the Cobbydalers managed to deny the visitors the lead. At the other end, Qasim and Jagger were Silsden’s best outlets, the former making a powerful run down the right, before being fouled and then having a shot blocked after some neat footwork by Jagger, who himself was denied by Emmerson.
The second half began with Silsden on the offensive. Shazad’s incisive pass found Jagger who netted the opener…..unfortunately the goal was ruled out for offside. Gradually the visitors took control of the game. Again Barnes and Airey came to the rescue to block efforts on target and Qasim went close to scoring before Emmerson saved from Jagger.
Finally, the deadlock was broken. United managed to break up the right but Silsden cleared at the expense of a corner. The ball was swung in but the unsighted Barnes headed into his own net. Khurram then set up another half-chance at the other end which was eventually cleared. On sixty-three minutes Dylan Drovi came on for Mitchell and Matty Moses replaced Harry Parsons, who had made a solid start to the season. Moses, who has been sidelined with injuries for two years, received rapturous applause from the Cobbydalers fans. Immediately Silsden gave the ball away cheaply in midfield and SANGSTER headed after the ball had hit the Silsden crossbar.
The visitors continued to pressurise and, from another corner, Sam Auty headed to ALDRICH who nodded it home with fifteen minutes left. Three-nil. Silsden was visibly tired, with the midfield unable to feed the forwards, whilst the Blues had bundles of energy. On eighty–seven minutes a through ball was unfortunately deflected by Moses and CISSA netted a fourth. Eccleshill had been tight, well-organised, fast and skilful and deserving of the victory. Cobbydaler’s manager Danny Forrest wasn’t best pleased with the Cobbydalers performance but there were some positives from the game; the return of Moses and the promise of Lewis Gardner. Qasim was inventive and Jagger was always a threat. Bradley Riley’s distribution was sound and Airey, Barnes and Parson’s were dependable. More must be expected from the experienced Mitchell and Hancock.
The Cobbydalers entertain Thackley on Tuesday and travel to Bottesford on Saturday 14th August.
SILSDEN AFC: Lee, Barnes, Parsons (Moses 63), Hancock, Airey, Mitchell, Qasim, Riley (Drovi 63), Jagger (Billington64), Shazad, Gardener. Subs not used. McEneany, Thompson, Gartland.
ECCLESHILL UNITED: Emmerson, Bleau, Bodle, Wade, Bradley, Laird, Cox, Day, Aldridge (Sykes 88), Carr (Cissa 34), Sangster(Auty 65), Subs not used. Aliya, Irvine, Cusack, Wilkinson.
Referee: Mr G.Greaves | Assistants: Mr F.Skootas and Mr J.Farnsworth.
