The Hallmark League Premier Division 2018-19
Saturday, September 8th 2018
WHITCHURCH ALPORT 1 v 2 SILSDEN AFC
Hughes 14. Kirby 61. Hancock 90. Att.234
COBBYDALERS LEAVE IT LATE AGAINST NINE-MAN ALPORT
The Cobbydalers maintained their position at the top of the Hallmark Premier Division but the result was in doubt until stoppage time when Will Storrie, on the right, slid the ball to Kyle HANCOCK. The midfielder curled the ball past the full-length dive of Dave Parton into the far corner. The game also marked the return of midfielder, Joe Mitchell after a spell at Clitheroe.
It was hard on Alport, who for much of the first half had dominated possession and territory. However, if truth be told, they were the cause of their own demise having been reduced to nine men with thirteen minutes to go.
Alport, with the wind at their backs, attacked from the kick off, when Alex Hughes broke down the right. He was halted by Josh Kaine who then released Mark Everingham on the left but the ball skidded dead. Hancock’s free kick was then deflected for a corner which was cleared. Arley Barnes, who was stifling any danger in midfield, drove a free-kick into the Whitchurch area but Reece Kendall’s header cleared the bar.
Alport then had a spell of pressure but a slick move involving Nick Marley and Alex Hughes ended with Dan Skelton’s shot lacking venom. However, the Shropshire outfit took the lead on fourteen minutes when HUGHES killed a long ball, skipped inside Kendall and hit a powerful shot which squirmed under Sammy Lee on the greasy surface.
Alport began to dominate with Hughes always menacing when he had the ball. Midway through the half the home side put together a five- man move where the ball was moved from right back to left wing but the final shot was wide of the mark.
Reece Lyndon, protecting the back four as he had done at Charnock Richard, set Everingham free but the wide-man tried a speculative shot from too far out which was easily dealt with. Kaine cleaned up again after Dan Illingworth failed to clear the ball, but Hughes and Simon Everall failed to test Lee.
In the dying minutes of the half Silsden began to settle and push the ball about with more intent. Matty Tomas’s tackle led to a half chance before Lyndon headed Illingworth’s throw-in wide.
The second-half started with Silsden hitting too-many long balls which were easy for defenders. Kirby went close after receiving a short pass from Everingham.
The game changed in a five minutes spell early in the second half. An elbow into the face of Barnes saw Howell sent off. Will Storrie replaced Tomas and two minutes later Silsden were level. Illingworth rose above the defence to head a free-kick to Kirby on the edge of the box. KIRBY flicked the ball up and drove a low volley into the bottom corner of the Alport net. Thirty minutes to go.
Lyndon headed a Storrie cross wide before he was replaced by Mitchell. Danny Forrest, with a man advantage, was now looking for three points. Everingham threaded a ball through to Hancock who was beaten to the ball and Kirby’s next break was halted. Alport weren’t finished and skipper Simon Everall was only prevented from restoring their lead by a last-ditch tackle from Craig Bentham. Both sides made changes with leading scorer Lee Spires replacing Everingham and Alport’s Pickerill on for Sanders.
With fifteen minutes left the game looked to be heading for a draw but Hughes’ two-footed challenge on Kaine led to a second dismissal for the home side. Silsden weren’t ready to settle for only one point. Mitchell broke through and had a shot blocked, then Storrie cut inside two defenders before his shot was saved.
Campion was booked but Bentham’s free kick skidded through to the Alport keeper before Spires was closed down. Reece Kendall curled a super ball in in the dying minutes but Nick Marley cleared. Silsden weren’t finished, the winner coming too late for the Salopians to reply!
It had been a tough battle.
On Tuesday the Cobbydalers travel to Irlam, who, surprisingly, won their Buildbase F.A. Cup encounter at Runcorn on Saturday before a trip to Albion Sports on Sunday in the Buildbase FA Vase. The game is to be played at the home of Farsley Celtic. K.O. 3pm.
WHITCHURCH ALPORT. Parton, Marley, Campion, Griffiths, Ashman, Minshall, Howell, Skelton, Everall (Johns 86), Sanders (Pickerill 73),Hughes. Subs not used. Porter, O’Connor, Hughes.
SILSDEN AFC. Lee, Bentham, Kendall, Kaine, Illingworth, Lyndon (Mitchell 64), Barnes, Hancock, Tomas (Storrie 58), Kirby, Everingham (Spires 74). Subs not used. Turnbull, Rhodes.
OFFICIALS. Referee. Mr. J. Maskrey. Assistants Mr. D. Parkes and Mr. J. Abaka-Jacobs
