Match Details
Maltby Main 1-1 Silsden AFC
NCEL Premier Division
Saturday 1st April
Muglet Lane
Match Report
Silsden were very unlucky not to come away from South Yorkshire with the three points after a 1-1 draw with Maltby Main in the NCEL Premier Division.
Lamin Janneh Gitteh opened the scoring for the visitors on the 20 minute mark before Maltby hit back through Toby Kenyon just before halftime.
Despite creating a number of create chances throughout the game, the Cobbydalers lacked cutting edge and were unable to find a winner, meaning they remain in 13th place in the division.
The game started in rather dull fashion with no real chances of note until Janneh Gitteh’s opening goal on 20 minutes.
Captain Kyle Hancock, deployed at right back in this game, sent a brilliant long ball over the top and into the striker’s path who neatly poked the ball into the back of the net.
Jack Normanton would have a great opportunity to double the lead 10 minutes later, when he raced in on goal only to see his strike tipped onto the post by the keeper.
After Janneh Gitteh had hit the side netting at one end, the hosts went up the field and levelled when a low cross dropped to Kenyon who smashed home from just inside the 6-yard box.
Silsden would start the second half in positive fashion, Jake Maltby first seeing a close range effort deflect over before Luke Brooksbank saw his initial shot saved and his follow-up volley drop wide of the far post.
The visitor’s best chance of the game came on 72 minutes as Joe Crosby looked to have rounded the keeper, but with the net at his mercy, a nasty bobble caused him to send his shot wide of the target.
After Jacob Smith’s header was saved at point blank range, there were no further chances and the game finished level; looking back Silsden will likely be disappointed they couldn’t find that elusive winner.
Speaking after the game manager Matt Cavanagh said: “Maltby isn’t an easy place to visit but we adapted the way we play and it worked. The lads worked hard but sadly missed that killer instinct, we’re not a million miles away an if we can start turning the draws into wins then we can finish the season strongly.
“We created enough chances to be out of sight in both halves but sadly goals change games and if you can’t convert them then that’s why we’ve walked away with one point instead of three.”
