Match Details
Hemsworth MW 0-2 Silsden AFC
NCEL Premier Division
Saturday 12th December
Just Football MDC Sports Stadium
Match Report
Silsden solidified there place in the NCEL Premier Division promotion pack with an impressive 2-0 victory over a tough Hemsworth MW side yesterday afternoon.
Although under pressure for much of the game, centre-half Sam Bradley would open the scoring from a corner before Ant Brown’s volleyed finish ten minutes from time secured the win for the visitors.
Hemsworth themselves created plenty but a combination of brilliant defending and goalkeeping, as well as some poor finishing allowed the Cobbydaler’s to pick up a crucial three points.
Due to freezing conditions, the fixture was one of just three games to be played across both divisions of the NCEL and both teams seemed determined to put on a spectacle for the fans braving the cold.
Wels started the game the brighter, first sending a downward header into the arms of Sam Kelly and then just moments later seeing a goal-bound effort from Marcel Chipamunga cleared smartly off the line by Alex Laird.
The 3g pitch was allowing for neat passing plays, Silsden creating chances for Ellis Hudson and Joe Crosby who both sent their shots wide of the right hand post.
Lamin Janneh Gitteh looked certain to open the scoring on 17 minutes when neat footwork allowed him to round the keeper, but his low shot was cleared off the line by Harry Viggars.
Chances kept coming at both ends, Laird heading narrowly wide from a free-kick whilst a number of determined Silsden blocks prevented the hosts from grabbing the opener.
Hemsworth’s Chipamunga was causing problems for Silsden, Kelly being called into action to superbly deny the midfielder with his leg one-on-one, this was followed by the same man volleying narrowly wide after a cross from the right.
On 39 minutes, the deadlock would be broken.
Crosby wasn’t picked up from a corner and sent his effort crashing off the bar and into the path of Bradley who gratefully tapped home his first Silsden goal since joining the club in the summer.
After the break the Cobbydaler’s looked to extend their lead, Crosby almost poking home after a goal mouth scramble but keeper Ally Hughes was able to hold on.
Kelly would again continue his excellent form in between the sticks, getting down well to his left to deny Alex Washington’s fierce drive from the edge of the box.
With 10 minutes to go, good work down the left allowed Sumaili Cissa to cross for Brown who caught the ball sweetly on the volley and sent it flying into the back of the net.
As Wels looked to get back into the game, Laird looked determined to keep the clean sheet, throwing himself into tackles and blocks in order to repel every Hemsworth attack.
Hemsworth’s late miss summed up their afternoon, having rounded Kelly, Nash Connolly’s cutback was sent wide of the post much to his sides dismay.
A brilliant result for Silsden against tough opposition but a real team effort got them over the line.
The result sees the Cobbydaler’s just one point off Emley in that second-placed play off spot but the win also sees them match their tally of 12 victories from the last campaign.
Next up for Silsden is the visit of Frickley Athletic to The Office Interiors Stadium, an earlier kick-off of 1.30pm for that fixture.
