MATCH DETAILS
Silsden AFC 1-1 Eccleshill United
NCEL Premier Division
Saturday 7th September 2024
Regal Interiors Stadium
TEAM DETAILS
Bradbury, Kilner, Stewart, Cromack, Coates (c), Billy, Hudson (Jeffrey, 80’), Conteh, Price, Brooksbank, Connolly (Greaves, 68’)
Subs: Haigh, Thompson, Stockdill
MATCH REPORT
Silsden went into today looking to build on an improved performance at Bottesford on Tuesday with local rivals Eccleshill in town, after a crazy game vs Beverley in midweek that produced 11 goals in their 6-5 home victory.
A few new faces came into the camp during the week, including Corey Billy who was with Thackley last season and slotted in as centre back today.
Straight from the kick off Sils were on top. as early as the 2nd minute Ellis Hudson tested the Eccleshill keeper with a stinging shot.
This one way traffic was to be the story for the majority of the first half. With an absolutely crunching tackle from Sam Kilner setting the tone.
In the 9th minute Luke Brooksbank cut in well from the wing but saw his shot blocked.
Then a few minutes later Kayle Price sprinted through but was sandwiched between two Eccleshill defenders and couldn’t quite get on the ball.
In the 14th minute though Silsden’s pressure finally told when Brooksbank beat the offside trap and squared it for a tap in for Nash Connolly.
On the 27th minute Price was clean though and appeared to be taken down by the last defender but the referee deemed there to be a covering Eccleshill man.
Only a yellow card handed out to Ben Gordon, Price’s free kick then saved well by keeper before Coates’ header was again well saved, Eagles’ keeper Ed Wilczyski having a storming game.
The game calmed down up to the break but with Eccleshill yet to offer a clear chance or shot on goal in the first 45, Certainly Silsden must’ve been confident after the first 45 minutes.
But as suspected by the gathered fans in the main stand , they’d come to run those missed chances later.
Silsden we’re out ready early for the second half and Eccleshill seemingly having an extended half time team talk.
Whatever was said had immediate affect as it was a different Eagles side after the break.
In the 52nd minute Zak Sangster forced a save from Bradbury and from the resulting corner Josh Mckiernon headed home, the ball bouncing and over the keeper into the net.
Sils almost responded immediately with a free kick pushed wide by the keeper yet again.
The game then developed into an end to end affair but with Eccleshill probably shading it. Subs Jeffery and Greaves came on for Hudson and Connolly as Sils looked to regain the incentive.
In the 73rd minute though Silsden had new boy Billy to thank for remaining level as a side footed shot looked to be finding the corner of the net before he got a block in the way.
Nothing came of attacks from both teams before in the 83rd minute Mo Conteh directed a Sils corner on to the post, the shot seemingly taking a slight deflection on the way.
That was the last real chance the home side managed as a frantic second half ended 1-1.
Brilliant entertainment for the neutral and a point to add to midweek wins for both sides.
Speaking after the game Matt Cavanagh spoke on the game, early season derbies and new signing Billy Corey:
”It was a solid first half in which we created plenty of chances but we need to learn to kill the game when we are on top.”
”It’s another local derby that we share the points but overall I’m disappointed because we didn’t come out of the changing rooms and got what we deserved sadly.”
”Corey did really well and fit into the back line. His distribution and reading of the game was excellent. He’s a great age for us to develop and bring on his game to help him and our side.”
The Cobbydaler’s currently sit 5th in the NCEL Premier Division with a trip to Handsworth this Saturday.
Report by Nigel Hall
