Match Details
Bottesford Town 0-1 Silsden AFC
NCEL Premier Division
Saturday 30th July 2022
Barrett Steel Stadium
Match Report
Silsden began their 22/23 with a 1-0 win away to Bottesford Town on Saturday afternoon.
In a very end-to-end game, it would be a first half own goal from Poacher’s defender Hashlee Cranidge that settled the game.
Despite the game turning a little feisty in the second half, The Cobbydaler’s defence stood firm, giving them the three points.
It would be the visiting Silsden who started the better in Lincolnshire. On ten minutes, new man Talent Ndlovu let a speculative effort go from 30 yards but it flew well over.
Just six minutes later, Sils would take the lead when winger Brad Riley found space on the left hand side of the box. His initial effort was parried by the Bottesford keeper, but the ball inadvertently rebounded off Cranidge and into the hosts net.
As the half continued, The Poachers would begin to find their groove, creating a number of chances that had to be dealt with by the defence, Clarke making a number of saves.
The back and forth action was summed up when full back Carlton Pownall was forced to make a superb acrobatic goal line clearance, before just seconds later Riley would go up the other end and find himself bearing down on goal, only to fire his shot too high.
With the hosts looking for a way back into the match and Silsden looking to hold on, the game quickly began to turn nasty, with many late tackles flying in. Bottesford’s number 8 was even sent to the sinbin for dissent on 52 minutes.
Silsden’s defensive partnership of Alex Laird and Jacob Smith (who had replaced the injured Sam Bradley) looked mostly comfortable against a rather blunt Poacher’s attack, facing little second half danger and allowing the midfield and attack to keep fashioning chances.
Liam Hudson, who started at right back was unlucky to see his curling effort fly just wide and late on Arale Mohamed’s lightning pace almost allowed him in behind but the keeper did well to smother the ball.
All in all, The Cobbydaler’s will be pleased to pick up the three points on the opening day with a solid team performance. The new lads looking to have gelled quickly.
Another big test awaits Silsden this Saturday as they take on Burscough in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Qualifying Round before hosting Penistone Church on Tuesday.
