Match Details
Silsden AFC 3-0 Handsworth FC
NCEL Premier Division
Saturday 22nd October
The Office Interiors Stadium – Att: 167
Match Report
Silsden made it back-to-back wins with a dominant 3-0 victory over fourth placed Handsworth at The Office Interiors Stadium yesterday.
In a first half filled with chances for the hosts, Lamin Janneh Gitteh opened the scoring, before turning provider for Luke Brooksbank to smash home a second.
Talent Ndlovu then added the third from the penalty spot.
The game started well for the Cobbydalers, Janneh Gitteh having a number of opportunities in the first 20 minutes.
He first did well to create space inside the box before firing straight at Amber’s keeper Klearchos Filandras, then soon after his shot on the turn following a quick freekick ended with the same outcome.
Winger Ellis Hudson must have thought he’d opened the scoring on 23 minutes when his curling strike was brilliantly tipped onto the post by a diving Filandras, before Carlton Pownall smashed the follow-up over the crossbar.
Silsden’s early pressure had won them a number of corners and it would be one of these set-pieces that proved fruitful.
Ndlovu took to corner short to Hancock who delivered an inch-perfect cross onto the right boot of Janneh Gitteh, volleying home inside the six-yard box to give the West Yorkshire side a deserved lead.
Brooksbank would then add the second 8 minutes later, Janneh Gitteh again involved, sending a deep cross towards the back post where the talented wideman was able to bring the ball down and rifle beyond Filandras.
Into the second half and it looked like the visitors had pulled one back almost instantly, Leon Howarth placing the ball into the net before seeing his effort denied by the linesman’s flag.
That early chance wouldn’t unsettle the Cobbydaler’s however and Hudson, a recent signing from Bingley Town, quickly looked to take the game to the visitors.
His dangerous runs were causing havoc for the Handsworth left back and he almost added the third after a mazy dribble, his finish dragging just wide of the upright.
With the game heading into its final fifteen minutes, Joe Crosby, making his debut only day’s after his arrival from Harrogate Railway, was brought down in a the penalty area.
Ndlovu stepped up to calmly slot his spot kick into the corner to secure the three points for his side.
Crosby would have a chance for a debut goal in added time but saw his effort smothered by Filandras.
A very convincing win for Silsden, who keep their second consecutive clean sheet. The backline of Sam Kelly, Pownall, Jacob Smith, Alex Laird and Alex Stewart rarely putting a foot wrong and denying the Handsworth attackers any real chances of note.
The result sees the Cobbydaler’s climb to 6th in the NCEL Premier Division and they’ll look to carry that moment into the local derby with Eccleshill at The Office Interiors Stadium next Saturday.
After the game, manager Luke Lavery spoke on the result:
“Right across the pitch we did really well and that’s what we want to be about. Playing at pace, great shape, looking to take our chances and keep clean sheets.”
