Match Details
Toolstation East Counties Football League
Silsden AFC 0-1 AFC Mansfield
Saturday 12th March
The Office Interiors Stadium – Attendance: 121
Match Report
Silsden fell to a 1-0 defeat to AFC Mansfield at The Office Interiors Stadium on Saturday afternoon. A first half goal from the visitors handing them the victory.
Despite creating a few half-chances, Sils couldn’t find an equaliser leaving them winless in their previous four matches and seeing them drop to 14th in the table.
The visitors would take an early lead when a miscommunication in defence saw a long ball float over the Sils defence. Keeper Alfie Darke didn’t come to claim it leaving Mansfield striker Luke Walker to poke home.
Silsden would put the ball in the net just six minutes later when a long ball found Ant Brown, unfortunately his measured finish was ruled offside.They would again come close just two minutes later, winger Jack Normanton’s neat footwork gave him a yard of space and his shot narrowly deflected wide. The resulting corner was also headed just over by Dan Illingworth.
The Cobbydalers pressed hard for an equaliser, a smart turn from Brown allowed him to get a shot away but it rebounded off the post before Joe Mitchell fired wide with a shot from the edge of the box.
Limited chances fell to either side for the remainder of the half, a Normanton free kick hit the wall and another Mitchell strike from a tight angle was held by Mansfield keeper Adam Revuelta meaning Sils would go into the break a goal down.
The early second half exchanges would continue in the same vein as the end of the first, neither side really created anything and the game descended into back and forth possession for both sides.
It would be The Bulls who created the first chance of the half on 67 minutes when a mistake from Illingworth allowed Walker through once again but his powerful strike flew wide of the post.
Silsden wouldn’t be discouraged however, Brown headed a cross back into the path of Arley Barnes who sliced his volley upwards rather than goal-bound much to the dismay of the Silsden skipper. Lewis Gardner continued to provide a threat from left full back, driving forward and causing problems for the Mansfield defence. His hard work going unrewarded however as Silsden struggled to fashion clear chances.
On 80 minutes another smart touch from Brown allowed him the space to turn but his shot drifted agonisingly wide of the right hand post and so despite their best efforts, Sils were unable to find the equaliser and the game would finish 1-0 to the visitors. A disappointing performance from Silsden who will look to bounce back as they face Sherwood Colliery at The Office Interiors Stadium on Tuesday.
Silsden Lineup – Darke, Pownall, Gardner, Thompson (Hancock, 68), Illingworth (Gartland, 86), Barnes (c), Normanton (Donovan, 68), Mitchell, Bradshaw, Brown, Riley
Unused Subs – Hudson, Mceneaney
AFC Mansfield Lineup – Revuelta, McKenna, Sketchley, Rajter, D’Laryea, Cropper (c), Mays (Hobson, 77), Batty, Karkach (Pipes, 74), Walker, Greenham.
Unused Subs – Gibb, Buxton
