The Toolstation NCEFL Premier Division 2021-2022
Saturday, August 28th 2021
SILSDEN AFC 6 v 2 HEMSWORTH MINERS WELFARE
Qasim 2, 24, 78, Shazad 56 Normanton 70, Jagger 72
Attendance: 147
The Cobbydalers were back at the Keighley Road ground on Saturday, buoyed by their win at Penistone a week ago. Manager Danny Forrest made one change to the starting lineup, bringing in Terry Ryan for Jake McEneany at full-back. Their opponents, Hemsworth Miners Welfare, who had only two points from their opening five games, were searching for a new manager. Joint player-manager Luke Danville was in charge for the time being.
Unfortunately for the visitors, they went behind after only two minutes. Jack Normanton broke up the wing and slid the ball to Mo QASIM, who curled the ball around Daniel Morton into the Miners net. An injury to Danville minutes later saw him replaced by Andy Higgins. The Miners responded with a counter-attack but Jay Davies shot across the face of the goal. Qasim hit a low cross into the box. Joe Jagger flicked it wide but the Cobbydalers were keeping up the pressure. When Jagger then received a quick throw-in, he immediately slid the ball to QASIM to double the Cobbydalers’ lead.
Ryan then hit a cross-field ball to Jack Normanton who forced a fine save from Daniel Morton. Silsden’s pass and move football highlighted their dominance and a cross from Qasim was just too high for Jagger to head home. Frustration led to Hemsworth’s skipper Harry Viggars receiving a caution for a heavy tackle on Qasim, He was fortunate it wasn’t a red as the Silsden man needed several minutes of treatment.
Eventually, the visitors began to push the Cobbydalers back and both Arley Barnes and Sean Airey were forced to clear the danger. Viggars broke down the right and was “brought down” by Sammy Lee. The whistle went for a penalty! It looked soft, to say the least. Kane SWINBURN halved the Cobbydalers lead.
Hemsworth were visibly lifted and Swinburn, running down the left, managed to get the ball beyond Barnes, who had been pulled out of position. Jay Davies’ shot was saved by Sammy Lee. With the Silsden full-backs breaking forwards the defence was stretched. Davies made a powerful run from the centre circle and played a one-two with Seon Ripley before hitting a powerful low shot. Lee kept Silsden in the lead with a superb save.
The Miners began the second half as they had finished the first. Swinburn hit a pin-point cross-field ball over to the right but Lewis Gardner made a superb interception. A poor clearance from Barnes allowed Swinburn another run. He slid the ball inside to Sam Tingle whose effort was tipped for a corner by Lee.
Eight minutes into the half, Khurram SHAZAD went on a mazy run from the centre circle. Cutting in and out, he hit a screamer into the top corner of the Miners net. 3-1. Three minutes later, Hemsworth’s left-back slid the ball to Adam Wilson. Lee managed to push Wilson’s shot for a corner. The inswinging corner caught out Lee, who could only fumble it into his own net! 3-2. Swinburn then got the better of Airey on the left and crossed into the goal area. Connor Brunt just failed to make contact with it. A misplaced pass by Shazad was intercepted by Wilson. The ball was moved to Swinburn and then to Davies, who shot over the crossbar.
However, the pressure that was being exerted by the Cobbydalers on the Miners was soon to be rewarded. With Mitchell and Hancock taking good control of the midfield and spreading the ball well, opportunities came Silsden’s way.
Joe Jagger broke forwards but, without support, was crowded out. A few minutes later, Mitchell sent Jagger free again. This time he had support but Normanton shot wide. A quick throw-in to Qasim saw him run down the right before crossing into the visitor’s box. NORMANTON blasted it home. Two minutes later in a repeat move, JAGGER made it five.
The movement between Qasim, Jagger and Normanton was almost telepathic. QASIM completed his hat-trick before Forrest, with Tuesday’s match at Goole in mind, brought on Gartland, Thomson and Riley for Qasim, Mitchell and Jagger. Silsden still managed to threaten. Gartland went on a powerful run before setting up Harry Thomson. Morton saved his effort before another flowing move ended with Normanton shooting just over the bar.
There is a blank weekend ahead for the Cobbydalers due to their original opponents Sherwood Colliery being involved in the F.A.Cup
SILSDEN AFC: Lee, Ryan, Gardner, Hancock, Airey, Barnes(c), Qasim(Gartland 81), Mitchell(Thomson 80), Jagger(Riley 74), Shazad, Normanton. Subs. not used. Cunningham, Illingworth.
HEMSWORTH MINERS WELFARE: Morton, Viggars(c), Wilson, Kenyon, Cadzow, Danville(Higgins 6), Ripley, Tingle, Brunt, Davies, Swinburn. (O’Brian)
Referee: Mr L.Caggiano
Assistants: Ms M.Cairns and Mr D.McKee
