Match Details
Silsden AFC 4-2 Frickley Athletic
NCEL Premier Division
Saturday 23rd December 2023
The Office Interiors Stadium – ATT: 167
Match Report
Silsden ran out 4-2 winners over Frickley Athletic in an exciting festive fixture at the Office Interiors Stadium yesterday
A lightning fast start for the Cobbydalers saw them 3-0 up in 25 minutes with a brace for Luke Brooksbank and a Kayle Price screamer.
The visitors hit back with two goals from Al Keita and Keegan Townrow, making for a nervy last half hour but Jake Cassidy’s header secured the three points for Sils.
Brooksbank must have thought Christmas came early as he tapped home from Casey Stewart’s deflected strike just 20 seconds into the game.
Just minutes later the winger thought he’d doubled his and our tally as he put the ball in the net only for the linesmen to raise his flag.
He would have his second on 16 minutes however.
Stewart once again involved as he played an inch-perfect through ball that Brooky raced onto, rounded the keeper and slotted into the empty net.
Things continued to get better as Price picked up the ball on the halfway line, turned and ran towards goal before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the top right corner of the net.
Frickley began to look for a way back into the game soon after and would have pulled one back on 30 minutes were it not for a great close range save from Kyle Trenerry.
The reprieve lasted just three minutes however as Keita’s lobbed effort just beat Trenerry and settled into the corner of the net.
A hattrick isn’t a bad present for Christmas and Brooksbank was inches away from that third goal as his diving header rattled the post just before halftime.
Both sides came out after the break knowing the next goal could be crucial.
Ellis Hudson’s low free kick was well saved by Callum Bradbury in the visitors goal before a combination of Trenerry and Jacob Smith were able to stop a dangerous scramble on the Silsden goal line.
A mistake at the back gave the visitors a lifeline as Townrow smashed into an empty net on 62 minutes.
Silsden however quickly settled back into the tie and began to take control.
There were 4 chances in 5 minutes for the hosts, Stewart first curling wide before Cody Cromack and Jake Cassidy saw ranged efforts tipped behind.
Fullback Isaac Baldwin came closest however, his 30 yard strike smashing back off the post much to Bradbury’s relief.
Casey Stewart was delivering more presents than Santa as he grabbed his 4th assist of the game with a floated corner that was met by Jake Cassidy to secure the points for Sils.
A fantastic result to get everyone in the Christmas spirit and see Silsden climb the table to 6th ahead of Boxing Day’s derby clash with Campion.
