The Toolstation Northern Counties East F. L. Premier Division 2021-2022
Saturday, December 4th 2021
THACKLEY TAKE THEIR CHANCES IN LOCAL DERBY
THACKLEY AFC 4 v 0 SILSDEN AFC
Grech-Brooksbank 21, 28. Waddington 44, Sinfield 65. Att. 103
Silsden travelled to near neighbours Thackley on Saturday. The Dennyboys were one point above the Cobbydalers having played three games more. The pitch, which had passed an inspection at lunch time, was perfectly playable.
The opening exchanges saw one team attack and then the other, the first clear chance coming when Joe Mitchell conceded a free-kick on the edge of the Silsden penalty box. Fortunately the spot-kick was wide of the far post. Frankie Sinfield then tested Sammy Lee from outside the area, the Silsden keeper diverting the ball for a corner. It wasn’t long before Silsden got in the game with Mo Qasim and Mitchell exchanging passes. Qasim’s shot was cleared for a corner, which Dan Illingworth headed over the bar. Kyle Hancock then threaded a ball through the defence and Qasim was on it in a flash. His low shot was deflected for a corner.
The Cobbydalers were pushing forwards but the Dennyboys were always a threat on the counter. Lewis Waddington fired wide of Lee’s far post and the Silsden keeper comfortably tipped Waddington’s next effort round the post. Josh Bradshaw tested the Thackley keeper before Jack Normanton broke through to fire the ball goalwards. Hargreaves managed to clear the shot with his goalkeeper stranded.
Finally the deadlock was broken with Thackley taking the lead on twenty-one minutes. A corner was partially cleared to the edge of the area. Ben GRECH-BROOKSBANK rifled it into the top corner despite Lee getting a hand on it. Silsden were unfortunate not to equalise a minute later. Brad Riley crossed the ball into the Thackley area. Normanton saw his header parried and his follow-up saved by Luke Wilson. Seven minutes later the Dennyboys were two up with GRECH-BROOKSBANK’s shot deflected off Illingworth leaving Lee stranded.
Two-nill! Thackley had had three good chances, the Cobbydalers had had five! Unbelievable Geoff! The home side were slicker on the ball. Lee managed to deny Grech-Brocksbank his hat-trick after he had out-paced Illingworth. The problem was not the back four but the lack of protection with Mitchell and Hancock overrun in midfield. Silsden did have one more chance to pull one back before the break but the home defence stood firm. Two minutes before the break Lewis WADDINGTON made it three after he broke through.
With a three-nil cushion the Dennyboys, superbly marshalled by Hargreaves, could pack their defence and break when the chance arose. Both Bradshaw and Riley failed to make an impact on the game, as did Khurram Shazad when he replaced Riley. Frankie SINFIELD made it four for Thackley on sixty-five minutes when he got the better of Barnes. The game was virtually over!
To their credit Normanton and Qasim worked hard to create openings. Normanton drove one effort into the side netting and had another powerful drive saved and Qasim went close with a low shot. On the run of play four-nil probably flattered the home side and had Silsden been a little more clinical in front of goal it might have been a different story.
Next Saturday the Cobbydalers entertain Bottesford at the earlier kick-off time of 1.00pm!
THACKLEY AFC. Wilson, Marsh, Hunter (Lever 75), Whiteley(c), Haigh, Hargreaves, Waddington, Jackson, Murphy, Grech-Brooksbank (Ibrahimi 72), Sinfield. Subs not used. Diamond, Poole.
SILSDEN AFC Lee, Everingham, Moses (Gardner 74), Hancock, Illingworth, Barnes(c), Qasim, Mitchell (Thompson74), Bradshaw, Riley (Shazad 58), Normanton. Subs. not used. Airey, Forrest.
Referee. Mr. D. Hague. Assistants. Mr. Luke Smith and Mr. Anthony Tierney.
