The Hallmark League Premier Division 2018-19
Saturday, 15th December, 2018
SQUIRES GATE 1 v 0 SILSDEN AFC
Match abandoned after 40 minutes due to floodlight failure.
THE LIGHTS GO OUT IN BLACKPOOL.
“There’s a famous seaside town called Blackpool, that’s known for fresh air and fun. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsbottom went there with young Albert their son!” Unfortunately for the Cobbydalers there was fresh air but not much fun, the game beginning in a gale and ending after 39 minutes with a floodlight failure.
Silsden’s match at Squires Gate on Saturday was their fifth away game on the run. The game started with the Blues having the benefit of Deirdre on their side, Storm Deirdre that was! The fans who were at the game, were huddled under the main stand as the game kicked off. The strong wind and rain made it difficult to judge the pace of the ball, although both sides produced some attractive football. Mark Everingham and Aidan Kirby replaced Chris Wademan and Joe Gaughan.
Dan Illingworth was the first player to be caught out by the wind. Attempting to head clear, the ball fell to Gate’s Rick Seear but he shot wide. Joe Mitchell then won a challenge in midfield but the ball spun back to Callum Jacovlevs, who aimed to find Matty Moses with his clearance. The wind caught the ball and Danny Gray broke down the right but his cross ended on the roof of the net.
Silsden’s first shot came from Niall Sultan but Dean Ing headed clear. Silsden almost took the lead when Kirby broke down the right and crossed to Everingham but the wide-man’s shot hit the side netting. Two minutes later Rick SEEAR cut in from the right and curled the ball on the wind into the Silsden net.
If the wind helped the Blues then all the players didn’t read the script. Twice Ryan Charnley put too much on his shots and they sailed over the bar. Joe Booth’s free kick met a similar fate. Silsden attacked up the right; Sultan’s cross from the by-line ended up travelling towards the half-way line. Mitchell was holding the midfield and Kirby causing problems for the home defence and one smart move ended with Bentham shooting over the Blues’ bar.
A superb tackle by Moses allowed Rhodes to set up another attack but then the lights went out. After a delay of fifteen minutes the game was eventually called off. The wind picked up, the rain intensified; even the Tower seemed to bend in the gale-force conditions!
Silsden fans enjoyed the Gate hospitality before driving home in atrocious conditions. “Oh I do like to be beside the seaside!”
On Saturday the Cobbydalers travel to Ashton Athletic before entertaining Barlick on Boxing Day. 3.00pm Kick off.
