The Toolstation Northern Counties East F. L. Premier Division 2021-2022
Tuesday, March 8th 2022.
SILSDEN JUST FALL SHORT IN A HIGH QUALITY COMPETITIVE GAME
SHERWOOD COLLIERY F.C. 2 V 1 SILSDEN AFC Att.81
Curtis 12, Belgrave 37. Brown 85.
The Cobbydalers travelled to Sherwood Colliery, near Mansfield, on Tuesday night after the game scheduled for January 15th had been called off due to a frozen pitch. The present club, which was re-formed in 2008, were soon on the attack and Alfie Darke was forced to save a low shot at his near post in the opening minute. It was a feisty start from both sides, with the home side breaking at pace. Jamie York fired over the bar in the fifth minute and the pressure put on the Cobbydalers continued. Arley Barnes conceded a corner blocking Tim Gregory’s shot. The ball was partially cleared but Gareth CURTIS back-heeled it home at the back post on twelve minutes. Tim Gregory almost doubled the score two minutes later but his effort flew past the far post.
The Colliery’s centre backs were dominating, denying the Silsden forwards a sniff of a chance. The ball was moved at pace with slick interplay between the forwards. Will Northcross’ centre was cleared for a corner which Darke punched clear. The Silsden guardian was on hand again to save Lewis Belgrave’s header. Launching the ball forwards, he found Antony Brown who was denied an effort on goal. Back it came and a speculative shot flew just wide of the Silsden far post.
Silsden continued to look to feed Brown, who managed to get behind the defence for once but he was soon closed down. Sherwood doubled their lead on thirty-seven minutes. Some slick footwork on the right from Northcross ended with his cutback being tapped home by BELGRAVE. The Cobbydalers almost pulled a goal back not long after the restart. Normanton had a shot blocked before Brown brought down a cross with one touch and rifled in a low shot; unfortunately the Wood keeper was in the right position to save it. Consecutive saves from Darke before the break kept the deficit to two.
The Cobbydalers began the second half on the attack. Sherwood keeper Josh Turton saved Jos Bradshaw’s drive before Harry Thompson’s low shot was cleared for a corner. Pressing the home defence, Normanton’s shot flew just wide of the mark. Liam Hudson, who replaced the injured Pownall, was soon in the action clearing a dangerous cross. At the other end, Brown shot across the face of goal before Illingworth was felled defending a low shot with his “lower body”! Finn Donovan replaced Normanton.
Silsden enjoyed a spell where they pushed the Wood back. With ten minutes left, Brown headed goalwards for a cross to the back post. The ball was defected for a corner. Joe Mitchell fired over the bar. With five minutes left BROWN killed a high ball and curled it beyond the Wood keeper. 2-1. A slick move involving Gareth Curtis and Will Norcross almost led to a third for the home side which would have been harsh on the Cobbydalers, given their increased dominance in the second half.
Colliery come to the Office Interiors Stadium next Tuesday, but before that, Silsden entertain AFC Mansfield on Saturday.
SHERWOOD COLLIERY. Turton, Lathall, Starbuck, Robson, Taylor, Belgrave(Hardwick 72), York, Norcross, Gregory, Curtis, Weaver(Burrell 78). Subs not used. Dando, Ingram, Sheppard.
SILSDEN AFC. Darke, Pownall(Hudson 46), McEneany, Thompson, Illingworth, Barnes, Normanton(Donovan 67), Mitchell, Bradshaw, Brown, Riley(Gartland84).
Referee. Mr. P. Morton. Assistants. Mr.Dudley, Mr. Clarke.
