MATCH DETAILS
Silsden AFC 1-0 Tadcaster Albion
NCEL Premier Division
Tuesday 13th February 2024
Office Interiors Stadium – ATT: 121
TEAM DETAILS
Rabone, Barnes (c), Kilner (Hunt, 45′), Daly, Harris, Clayton, Connolly, Thompson (Hudson, 44′), Price (Smith, 90′), Maltby, Stewart (Craig, 90′)
Subs: Oddy
MATCH REPORT
Silsden made it back-to-back 1-0 wins with victory over Tadcaster Albion in a high-intensity game at the Office Interiors Stadium this evening.
Experienced midfielder Harry Thompson grabbed the winning goal with a stooping header on 34 minutes and despite chances a plenty for both sides, that proved to be the only goal of the game.
Two clean sheets in as many games now for the Cobbydaler’s whose backline held firm against a Brewers side who possess much attacking quality.
In similar style to Saturday’s game at Maltby, things got off to a fast start.
Adam Clayton was forced into a smart block early on as Oli Norman raced into the Silsden penalty area.
At the other end, new man Nash Connolly looked to add to his debut goal from the weekend, picking up the ball on the edge of the box and unleashing a fierce strike that rattled Joe Wilton’s crossbar.
Tadcaster thought they had taken the lead on 19 minutes as Joe Crosby swung a low cross into the path of Junayd Cassius-Gill who duly finished, only to see the flag raised for an offside against the latter.
Former Cobbydaler Crosby was causing all sorts of problems for the Silsden defence and forced a good save from Jacob Rabone with a snapshot from the edge of the penalty area.
It would be Sils who took the lead however, one of Casey Stewart’s trademark floated corners was met by Spencer Harris.
Despite his header looking to be dropping wide, Thompson snook in at the far post to nod the home side into the lead.
Unfortunately for Thompson, an injury forced him off just before the break, Sam Kilner was also forced off with a head injury and replaced by West Yorkshire League graduate Danny Hunt.
Hunt made a promising start straight from the interval, battling to win the ball before driving forward and supplying Kayle Price down the left, his low cross cut out however just before it reached Stewart in the centre.
The chances kept coming in the second half, Norman crossing for Cassius-Gill in a dangerous area, only for the winger to smash over the top.
Ross Daly was having a solid game in the middle of the park for Sils, one of his driving runs forward almost allowed him to slip Price in behind but good defending denied him the chance.
Daly would have the chance to wrap up the game late on.
Silsden broke quickly from a corner leaving a 3-on-1 at the back, Connolly found Jake Maltby who laid it off to the former Guiseley man inside the box but his left-footed strike was well saved by Witton in the Brewers goal.
In the end, the miss mattered little as Silsden were able to hold on and claim a valuable three points whilst also showing plenty of positive signs that confidence is returning following a poor run of results.
Next up is the visit of promotion chasing Garforth Town to the Office Interiors Stadium on Saturday.
