The Hallmark Security League NWCFL Premier Division 2018-19
Tuesday 2nd October, 2018
SILSDEN AFC 1 v 1 CITY OF LIVERPOOL FC
Hancock 32 Peterson 59 Att. 276
RICH ENTERTAINMENT IN TOP-TWO CLASH
The Cobbydalers entertained Premier League leaders City Of Liverpool on a dry but very windy night. Despite the conditions, the match was a credit to the North West Counties Premier Division, ending all square. On Saturday Silsden had suffered their first defeat whilst the “Purps” had won the ninth of their ten league games. Let battle commence.
The Merseysiders started brightly using the long ball but not pumped forwards expectantly. They were accurate in their delivery. Silsden, with Barnes superb in the opening minutes, were their equal.
The Cobbydalers almost scored with their first attack. Aidan Kirby chested the ball down to Lee Spires who slid the ball to Niall Sultan on the right. Sultan hit a low drive which shaved the far post.
The pace of the “Purps” forwards provided a stern test for the Yorkshiremen, just as they had done at Barlick a fortnight ago, and Sammy Lee did well to save from Tom Peterson. A mistake in the Silsden defence was cleared up by Barnes and then Bentham headed another cross out before Lee saved a low shot from Danny Dalton.
Silsden responded with some slick passing between Kirby and Spires, which created a chance for Mitchell whose shot was saved by Ben Ascroft. Joe Holt then broke clear but Lee saved his weak shot before Hancock hit a quick free-kick to Spires who headed inches wide.
It was end to end stuff, with Karl Clair curling in at one end and then Sultan cutting in between two defenders before shooting at the other end. Reece Kendall denied John McGrath with a last-ditch tackle whilst Dan Illingworth and Barnes were immense at the back
The deadlock was finally broken on thirty-two minutes when Mitchell fed HANCOCK, who saw his shot deflected beyond the reach of Ascroft.
The “Purps” broke forwards with the wind at their backs. Kendall cleared Clair’s effort for a corner but when the ball was swung into the box, Paul Williams shot over the bar.
City had a purple patch with Kevin McEllin running the midfield. Barnes was on hand to block his goal-bound effort before Silsden counter-attacked. Despite some slick passing they couldn’t create a clear chance and, in the final minutes of the half, Lee fumbled a shot but Illingworth cleared up. What a half it had been!
The second half started with the same tempo. Everingham chased a through ball and Luke Denson missed the chance to clear it. Everingham shot narrowly wide of the far post. Illingworth broke-up a counter-attack down the left and slid the ball forwards, where it was eventually worked to Spires, who curled his shot wide.
The balance of Forrest’s side looked good, with Spires offering support to Kirby and Hancock and Mitchell running the midfield with the pace of Everingham and Sultan proving a threat down the flanks. They fizzed the ball to feet and swept cross-field passes to start counter attacks and came close to doubling their lead when Kirby fed Spires in the six-yard box. Suddenly Dalton slid across the goal line to block the shot. Hancock latched onto the next loose ball but shot over the bar.
Silsden might have been two up but PETERSON broke free leaving defenders in his wake. Lee came off his line but the City forward calmly slipped in the equaliser. Lee did well to deny Joe Holt the chance to put the visitors ahead.
Both sides made substitutions with Everingham and Spires being replaced by Tomas and Storrie. Cairns replaced McDonald for the visitors and, when Denson was injured, Foy came on.
Silsden had a let off minutes later. The ball was crossed to John Magrath in the goal area. All he had to do was touch it home…he missed it! Then Bentham cleared another goal bound effort.
Silsden responded with a swift break. Sultan was tripped in the penalty area. Kirby placed the ball on the spot. He stepped up but fired his spot kick over the bar.
In the final ten minutes Hancock shot over. Mitchell and Hancock set up another chance for Kirby but his shot was inches wide. Kirby then fed Hancock but the midfielder’s effort curled wide.
The points were shared. The visitors were the happier, having been a goal down and maintained their unbeaten run. Kirby was disconsolate after the game. He won’t be the last one to miss a penalty! His late goals last season against Abbey Hulton and Nelson were very significant in last season’s promotion chase.
Danny Forrest and the Silsden players and fans were disappointed not to win but, in the end, football was the winner. Pace, power and precision with every sinew stretched. What a superb game, with the officials adding to the flowing football. On Saturday the Cobbydalers entertain third-placed Runcorn Town in the League and on Tuesday they travel to fourth-placed Barlick for a County Cup game.
SILSDEN AFC. Lee, Bentham, Kendall, Barnes, Illingworth, Mitchell, Sultan, Hancock, Spires (Storrie 72), Kirby, Everingham (Tomas 72). Subs not used. Kaine, Baldwin, Hardisty-Blackwell.
CITY OF LIVERPOOL F.C. Ascroft, Denson, Williams (Cairns 72), McEllin, Dalton, Brown, Holt, Clair, McDonald (Foy 72), Peterson (Forbes 82), McGrath. Subs not used. Robinson, Hazlehurst.
Referee. Mr. P. Roots. Assistants. Mr. I. Muncaster and Mr. I Claridge.
