MATCH DETAILS
Albion Sports 1-2 Silsden AFC
NCEL Premier Division
Saturday 25th November 2023
Horsfall Stadium
MATCH REPORT
Silsden claimed bragging rights with a 2-1 win over Bradford District rivals Albion Sports in a feisty affair at Horsfall Stadium yesterday.
An early goal from former Cobbydaler Robbie Fox was quickly cancelled out by Ellis Hudson’s volley on eight minutes before Jake Maltby grabbed the winner late in the first half.
We would have further opportunities in the second half and were unlucky not to add to the scoreline on a number of occasions.
The game began at a high tempo from both sides, with the hosts taking the lead after just five minutes as a quick counter attack found Fox with space on the edge of the box.
Fox took a touch and rifled a sweetly struck half-volley goalwards that clipped the fingertips of the diving Kyle Trenerry but ultimately ended up in the back of the net.
Our response was almost instantaneous as a whipped corner was nodded down by Jake Cassidy into Hudson’s path for him to smash home from close range.
Corners were proving to be a real issue for Albion in the first half as both Cassidy and Spencer Harris headed over from set-pieces before a scramble from another corner almost found it’s way into the net only to be cleared from inside the six-yard box.
Reece Webb-Foster has looked a lively addition since his move from Clitheroe last month and he played a big part in our second goal.
After a good run down the right, his cross fell at the feet of Maltby whose low strike took a defection before nestling in the corner of the goal.
Into the second half and we looked to take the game to our hosts, Casey Stewart looked to curl an effort into the far corner only to be denied by a superb save from George McMahon.
McMahon would again be called into action as Hudson raced through one-on-one, the keeper making himself big and keeping his side in the game.
The Lions weren’t without their chances however as they pushed for a leveller, a mixup at the back allowed them into the penalty area but no one was able to poke home and we could clear.
New signing Liam Parkin provided some energy off the bench late on, hitting a low effort that was held by McMahon before Webb-Foster’s speculative 35 yard chip was tipped over by the keeper.
The full-time whistle sparked celebrations amongst the travelling Sils support and a sigh of relief from the players who have ended a 4-game winless run in the league and climbed the table to 6th, just two points off the playoff places.
There’s a midweek trip to Penistone Church for Silsden on Wednesday before an FA Vase third round clash away to Newcastle Uni this Saturday.
