Match Details

Silsden 0-2 Penistone Church

NCEL Premier Division

Tuesday 9th August

The Office Interiors Stadium – Att: 162

Match Report

Silsden fell to their first defeat of the 22/23 season against a well organised Penistone Church side on Tuesday. Goals from Ryan Johnson and Reece High handing the visitors the three points.

Whilst both sides created a number of decent chances, It would be Church who showed a more ruthless side in front of goal, with Sils keeper George Clarke being called into action numerous times throughout the match.

The visitors would be on the front foot from the first whistle, putting the Cobbydaler’s defence under pressure in the games early exchanges. Despite an intuitive goal line clearance from Arley Barnes followed by a good save from Clarke, Church opened the scoring after just 6 minutes.

A Church corner was cleared back out wide to fullback Ash Ellis, his floated cross found Johnson unmarked at the back stick who had the simple task of heading in the opener.

Throughout the remainder of the first half Silsden would go in search of an equaliser with good chances for both Finn Donovan and Jos Bradshaw being beaten away by keeper Chris Snaith.

Church also created a number of chances on the counter and were it not for the efforts of the Sils defence throwing their bodies in front of the ball, the game could have been over before half time.

After the break it would be the visitors who looked to double their advantage, Nathan Keightley looking dangerous as he fired a low drive wide of Clarke’s post.

Silsden made a number of changes as they looked to shift the tide of the game, although this did little to prevent Penistone coming forward and creating chances. On 73 minutes a fine block from Carlton Pownall denied the visitors what looked like a certain second goal.

The Cobbydaler’s best chance came on 81 minutes when winger Luke Brooksbank curled a freekick narrowly wide of the top left corner. Church would secure the points just moments later however; Reece High pouncing on a loose ball in the penalty area to rifle home beyond Clarke.

The 2-0 defeat sees Silsden slip to 8th, but with only two games played, there’s plenty of room for improvement for a new look Sils side.

Next up for The Cobbydaler’s is a trip to Frickley on Tuesday before the FA Cup journey continues as Charnock Richard travel to The Office Interiors Stadium for the Preliminary Round.