MATCH DETAILS

Golcar United 0-3 Silsden AFC

NCEL League Cup Quarter Final

Tuesday 11th March 2025

Skye Direct Stadium

TEAM DETAILS

Bradbury, Hunt, Kilner, Daly, Coates, Clark (Cassidy, 74′), Maltby (Thirkhill, 85′), Cromack, Greaves, Fox (Price, 85′).

Subs: Thompson, Hall.

MATCH REPORT

Silsden advanced to the NCEL League Cup semi finals with a convincing 3-0 win over Premier Division rivals Golcar United at the Skye Direct Stadium yesterday.

In a slightly changed lineup from Saturday’s win it would be Tom Greaves and the returning Robbie Fox who grabbed the goals, with the latter providing the two assists for Greaves’ strikes.

It was a brilliant performance from every Sils player, keeping control of midfield battle whilst maintaining composure at the back to secure the clean sheet.

We were inches away from opening the scoring just minutes into the game as Luke Brooksbank struck the post with a low shot.

Greaves would give us the lead soon after however, Fox powered his way in behind before unselfishly squaring for the striker to tap home from close in.

As the half progressed we continued to forge opportunities, Greaves forcing a good stop from Harry Stead after wriggling into space inside the area.

After the interval the chances kept coming, Fox looking to add to his Sils account with a powerful shot from the edge of the box that was well held by Stead.

We would hit the woodwork again on 67 minutes.

Cody Cromack showed good close control on the edge of the box before unleashing a curling effort that rattled the crossbar.

The skipper Ross Daly proved to be the key to unlock the Golcar defence for the second time, his inch-perfect through ball found Fox who lofted over the stranded keeper.

There was still time to add our third of the evening, Fox and Greaves again combining as the experienced striker seized on a defensive slip up to poke beyond the onrushing Stead.

That result sets up a semi final with either Knaresborough, Beverley or Penistone to be drawn in the coming weeks.

Before that however we have a huge game down at the Regal Interiors Stadium Saturday as we welcome Penistone Church!

MATCH DETAILS

Silsden AFC 2-0 Parkgate FC

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 8th March 2025

Regal Interiors Stadium – Att: 317

TEAM DETAILS

Hall, Kilner, Clark, Cromack, Coates, Cassidy, Jeffrey (Greaves, 67′), Maltby, Price, Brooksbank (Conteh, 82′), Stewart (Thirkhill, 90′)

MATCH REPORT

A crowd of 317 watched on as Silsden ran out comfortable 2-0 winners over Parkgate at the Regal Interiors Stadium yesterday afternoon.

Kayle Price grabbed his 23rd goal of the campaign to open the scoring in the first half before stand-in skipper Harry Coates opened his Sils account with a powerful header from a corner in the second.

We made a number of changes from last weekend as Sam Kilner and Toby Jeffrey came into the side for this one.

It would be Jeffrey’s corners that provided two early opportunities as Jake Cassidy and Coates both saw headed efforts hooked clear from the goaline.

Despite Silsden looking to have early control of the game, a defensive mistake allowed Parkgate’s Ashton Stringer to round Edd Hall on 15 minutes.

With the goal at his mercy, the young winger then somehow poked his effort onto the post and back into the hands of a much relived Hall.

Price was in no mood for let off’s at the other end however and he would open the scoring just four minutes later.

Hall’s pinpoint distribution found Casey Stewart bearing down on goal, two good saves from Jordan Greaves initially denied him before Price lashed the ball into the bottom corner on the follow up.

Some neat play from Stewart and Jake Maltby almost added a second on 33 minutes, the latter seeing his strike from inside the box well blocked by a stern Parkgate defence.

The visitors came out after the break looking to level things early, Stringer almost redeeming his earlier miss as he poked a shot onto the post and behind.

At the other end Stewart’s inswinging freekick caused issues but drifted agonisingly wide of the far post with no one able to make a telling touch.

A succession of corners soon followed for the Steelmen as they went in search of an equaliser, seeing multiple headers drop wide of the target.

It would be a corner of our own that secured the three points however, Stewart delivering with accuracy and Coates rising highest inside the 6-yard box to divert his header into the net for his first ever goal in Red and Black!

Parkgate’s luck was summed up in the closing stages as yet another good opportunity went begging with Brad Gregory lifting a 1v1 over the crossbar.

A result that Silsden definitely needed as the season comes down to the final stretch. As results elsewhere see us maintain a five point gap at the summit of the NCEL Premier Division.

There’s a break from league action midweek as we head to Golcar for the League Cup Quarter Final on Tuesday.

MATCH DETAILS

Hallam 5-1 Silsden AFC

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 1st March 2025

Sandygate

TEAM DETAILS

Hall, Cromack, Clark, Conteh (Kilner, 56′), Coates, Cassidy (Hunt, 80′), Brooksbank, Maltby, Price (Greaves, 56′), Thewlis (Thirkhill, 56′), Stewart (Jeffrey, 75′)

MATCH REPORT

A capacity crowd descended on Hallam’s Sandygate home yesterday as it was 1st vs 2nd in the NCEL Premier Division, with the second placed hosts running out comfortable winners.

Two first half goals from Janusz Lipka aswell as Rio Allen and Danny South strikes gave the Countrymen a healthy 4-0 lead heading into the break.

Leon Howarth added a fifth for Hallam shortly afterwards before Jake Maltby grabbed us a consolation goal.

It took only 16 minutes for the hosts to take the lead as Lipka was left with acres of space inside the box to curl home into the top left corner.

Allen doubled the tally following a defensive slip up, racing into the area and slotting into the bottom corner.

With their tails up Hallam continued to push and centre half turned striker South put the game out of sight just after the half hour mark.

A set-piece providing the assist as he volleyed home beyond Edd Hall.

Another freekick added the hosts fourth, a loose ball ricocheting to Lipka who smashed home at the near post.

With the game looking to already be wrapped up before the halftime whistle, we would have hoped to use the second half to possibly grab a few goals back and restore some potential goal difference.

Hallam and Howarth had other ideas however as within five minutes of the restart, a close range finish added further punishment.

As the hosts began to take their foot off the gas, we started to create some chances.

A Kayle Price freekick rebounded to Maltby who curled a low effort on goal, it looked comfortable for Hugo Warhurst but a bobble in the pitch looped it over his head for a consolation goal.

A triple sub introduced Greaves, Thirkhill and Kilner who provided some much needed energy but were unfortunately unable to add to our goal tally and the score remained.

Despite the disappointing result, we have to make sure heads don’t drop. Let’s get behind the lads next Saturday as we welcome Parkgate to the Regal Interiors Stadium!

MATCH DETAILS

Goole AFC 0-2 Silsden AFC

NCEL Premier Division

Tuesday 25th February 2025

Victoria Pleasure Ground

TEAM DETAILS

Hall, Cromack, Clark, Daly, Coates, Cassidy, Brooksbank (Hunt, 90′), Maltby, Fox (Greaves, 89′), Thewlis (Conteh, 84′), Stewart

Subs: Kilner, Price

MATCH REPORT

Silsden returned to winning ways with a 2-0 truimph over NCEL Prem strugglers Goole at the Victoria Pleasure Ground yesterday evening.

Two first half goals settled the tie with Robbie Fox opening his Sils account from the spot on six minutes before a header from Casey Stewart extended his goal tally to 23 for the season.

The game saw the return of Harry Coates and Jake Cassidy at centre half, with the formidable pairing helping us to our 13th clean sheet this campaign.

In stark contrast to Saturday, we got off to an almost perfect start as Luke Brooksbank’s driving run saw a clumsy challenge bring him down in the box.

Fox, deployed as the striker in the absence of Kayle Price stepped up and lashed his spot-kick high into the corner of the net.

On 13 minutes things got even better, the skipper Ross Daly carrying the ball forward before delivering a pinpoint cross for Stewart to nod home. A headed goal being a rare occurrence according to the man himself!

We kept the pressure on as the half continued, Stewart smashing a 25-yard freekick into the wall before Jake Maltby drilled the follow up wide of the target.

Our hosts were struggling to break us down, a freekick from some distance that was easily held by Edd Hall would be the closest they came in what turned out to be a comfortable opening half for Sils.

Into the second 45 and set-pieces were looking the most likely way for us to find a third, Brooky shooting over and seeing an effort well blocked respectively after both a freekick and throw-in fell to his feet inside the area.

With the game reaching its end, the hosts gave one last push in an effort to salvage something but Daly and Cam Clark both made strong blocks inside the area to deny them that opportunity.

In the end it was a good win for Sils who put an end to a recent dip in form, regaining some confidence heading into a huge game on Saturday.

It’s 1st vs 3rd as we head to Hallam for what could prove to be the biggest game of our season!

All travelling support would be a huge boost to the players, UP THE SILS!

MATCH DETAILS

Silsden AFC 2-2 Rossington Main

NCEL Premier Division

Tuesday 18th February 2025

Regal Interiors Stadium

TEAM DETAILS

Hall, Cromack, Clark, Daly (Thewlis, 78′), Billy, Cassidy (Hunt, 44′), Fox (Greaves, 71′), Maltby (Conteh, 90′), Price, Brooksbank, Stewart

Subs: Thompson

MATCH REPORT

A tough home fixture saw us draw 2-2 with Rossington Main in the NCEL Premier Division last night.

All the goals came in the first half with two headers from Jake Cassidy cancelled out by a quickfire Rossington double from Ross Hannah and Paul Sherburn.

The visitors looked dangerous from the offset as they tested Edd Hall on a number of occasions early on as well as smashing an effort off the outside of the post.

Hall then produced a stunning stop to keep the scores even, diving high to tip a quality effort from range onto the crossbar before recovering quickly to pick up the loose ball.

We took the lead somewhat against the run off play just moments later, a good save at the other end denied Kayle Price but the resulting corner was met by Cassidy who powered his header into the top corner.

Just after the half hour mark another corner produced the same outcome, Stewart’s pinpoint delivery finding the stooping centre half to grab his second of the game.

Another brilliant header grabbed a goal back for the visitors on 36 minutes as Hannah peeled off his man and lofted the ball over Hall.

Only two minutes later and Rossington pulled level, a dangerous corner met at the backpost by Sherburn and suddenly momentum had swung in the visitors favour.

Sils had to adapt when Cassidy was forced off through injury just before the break, Cam Clark coming into central defence with Danny Hunt at left back.

As both sides settled into the second period, the end to end action continued.

Robbie Fox fired a powerful effort into Shay Buxton’s gloves before a diving header brought another top stop from Hall.

More changes followed for Sils as Tom Greaves and George Thewlis were brought on to add further threat on the front foot.

Hunt and Greaves were combining well late on with the best opportunity falling to the latter who brought down a looped ball forward well and drilling a snap shot inches wide of the post.

Despite a few dangerous moments in the closing stages, we held out to secure a point in a game that could have quite easily ended in defeat on another day.

Taking positives from the game, the result sees us stretch our unbeaten league run to 20 games whilst maintaining a 9 point gap at the top of the table.

All eyes on the visit of Winterton this Saturday as we look to return to winning ways, see you there!

MATCH DETAILS

Knaresborough Town 0-0 Silsden AFC

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 15th February 2025

Manse Lane

TEAM DETAILS

Hall, Hunt, Clark, Daly, Billy, Cassidy, Fox (Greaves, 87′), Maltby, Price, Brooksbank (Conteh, 90′), Stewart.

Subs: Kilner, Thewlis, Thompson

MATCH REPORT

A 0-0 draw away to Knaresborough yesterday saw us extend our unbeaten league run to 19 games, a new club record.

With the absence of Harry Coates from suspension, Corey Billy started in the heart of defence helping us to keep our 12th clean sheet of the campaign.

Both sides created chances but neither could capitalise and find an opening goal, the draw probably a fair result in the end.

Having officially joined the club the morning of the game, Robbie Fox went straight into the XI and almost got off to a dream start when his low shot from the edge of the area hit the side netting.

Knaresborough began to fashion some great opportunities late into the first half.

Brad Walker was causing problems down the left and two of his passes found Ben Parkes and Theo Hudson respectively who both lashed efforts wide of the target.

We came out of the blocks quickly in the second half, Casey Stewart shooting over from range before sending a controlled volley wide.

On 67 minutes Stewart saw a powerful drive initially spilled by Tom Brown however he got up quickly to smother the ball before Fox could force home.

Our best opportunity cam on 73 minutes as we broke with pace following a Town corner.

Fox led the charge up the field and broke into the penalty area with his shot being fired at Brown who did well to save and hold on.

With neither team breaking the deadlock, the points were shared seeing us maintain our 10 point gap at the summit of the NCEL Prem table with a short turnaround as we welcome Rossington to the Regal Interiors this Tuesday.

MATCH DETAILS

Silsden AFC 4-0 Frickley Athletic

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 25th January 2025

The Regal Interiors Stadium – Att: 268

TEAM DETAILS

Bradbury, Hunt (Billy, 85′), Clark, Daly (Thewlis, 80′), Coates, Cassidy, Brooksbank, Cromack, Price, Maltby (Jeffrey, 38′ (Conteh, 69′), Stewart (Greaves, 77′)

MATCH REPORT

Silsden made it 16 games unbeaten with a convincing 4-0 win over NCEL Prem strugglers Frickley Athletic at the Regal Interiors Stadium this afternoon.

In an action packed first half Casey Stewart grabbed himself two goals but there we’re plenty of chances for both sides.

Despite a period of pressure from the visitors, two Kayle Price strikes put a comfortable shine to the scoreline and gave us a crucial three points.

Stewart got us off to the perfect start within the opening minute.

After picking up the ball on the left wing around 25 yards from goal, the winger cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable curling shot into the top right hand corner of the net.

Further chances followed as Stewart and Luke Brooksbank both sent some clear-cut opportunities wide of the target whilst Price’s flicked header forced a good save from Will Sykes in the Frickley goal.

It would be Price’s persistence that found us our second goal, winning a foot race against Sykes before squaring to Stewart to tap home his second in much simpler fashion than his opener.

Brooksbank was inches from adding a third as his shot on the half hour mark ricocheted back off the upright.

Frickley weren’t without their moments in the opening 45 however as a loose back pass allowed Thomas Alngohuro through 1v1 with Callum Bradbury making a big save with his legs before Harry Coates cleared the rebound off the line brilliantly.

Controversy struck on 42 minutes as KP thought he’d added a third with an instinctive close range overhead kick, only for the linesman to overrule the goal for offside, despite the fact Frickley had a man stood on the goaline.

After the interval the visitors grew into the game, Luke Hinsley forcing Bradbury into a smart low stop from close range.

Hinsley should have done better with a volleyed opportunity that he sent over the bar on 59 minutes whilst Al Keita also should have perhaps hit the target with a curling effort soon after.

Their positive spell would soon be put to bed though as some ruthless finishing from Price gave us a three goal advantage.

Stewart this time turning provider for his teammate as he lofted a ball over the defence, KP brought it down wonderfully before rocketing the ball beyond a helpless Sykes into the roof of the net.

It had been a difficult evening for the new Frickley stopper but he showed moments of quality soon after to deny Stewart his hat-trick before another diving save prevented Cassidy from adding to his two goals this campaign.

The resistance wouldn’t last as the introduction of sub Tom Greaves brought about our fourth of the afternoon.

After holding up the ball on the right wing, his cross forced a poor clearance from Frickley, Brooky picked it up before picking out the overlapping Cam Clark whose low cross was expertly finished by Price for his 22nd goal of the season.

With results around us going our way, we have opened up a 9 point gap over 2nd placed Golcar heading into a tough Bradford District derby fixture against Albion this coming Monday.

Up The Sils!

MATCH DETAILS

Silsden AFC 4-3 Handsworth

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 18th January 2025

Regal Interiors Stadium

TEAM DETAILS

Bradbury, Hunt (Kilner, 82′), Clark, Daly (Thewlis, 73′), Coates (Billy, 82′), Cassidy, Brooksbank (Jeffrey, 82′), Cromack, Price (Greaves, 82′), Maltby, Stewart.

MATCH REPORT

Two of the North East Counties in-form sides in Silsden and Handsworth played out a seven goal thriller at the Regal Interiors Stadium today with the hosts coming out 4-3 winners.

The Cobbydaler’s looked to be in complete control heading into the final five minutes as two goals from Luke Brooksbank alongside Jake Maltby and Casey Stewart strikes had given them a handsome 4-0 lead.

A determined Amber’s side hit back late on however with a Scott Ruthven double and a Brandon Bagley finish giving the scoreline a much less healthy complexion come fulltime.

Both sides had their opportunities in the opening 45 minutes, Stewart forcing Handsworth stopper Dylan Parkin into two good saves early on.

On 24 minutes Callum Bradbury was at full stretch to tip away Fernando Taveres’ long range strike.

With the half coming towards its end, Maltby went inches from opening the scoring with a low shot from the edge of the box before Amber’s striker Mitch Dunne nodded wide a perfect cross from the right.

That miss would prove costly for the visitors as Ross Daly slipped in Stewart just before the break, the winger crossed to the back post where Brooksbank arrived to volley goalwards.

Despite a strong hand from Parkin, the ball somehow crept over the line to give the hosts a 1-0 lead heading into the break.

A ten minute spell in the second half proved decisive for the Cobbydalers.

More good work from Stewart down the left allowed him to cut back to Maltby, the midfielder composed himself inside the box before placing the ball into the corner for his first goal since returning to the club from Hyde last month.

Just minutes later and a set-piece would undo the previously stubborn Handsworth defence, Brooksbank forcing home from practically on the goalline for his second of the afternoon.

Stewart had been instrumental in two of the goals and grabbed himself a deserved 17th goal of the season on 79 minutes.

Maltby returning the favour for Casey’s earlier assist as his through ball found Stewart 1v1 with Parkin, a swift turn took the keeper out of the equation before he slotted into an empty net.

Silsden fans would have been forgiven for thinking the game was over, Matt Cavanagh rang the changes on 82 minutes but Handsworth had other ideas as Bagley pulled a goal back on 88 minutes.

A freekick then found Ruthven who headed home a second for the visitors to create a nervy end heading into added time.

Jake Cassidy found himself sent to the sinbin on 93 minutes which allowed Ruthven to add another goal late on.

Thankfully for Silsden the referee called time on the game before the Amber’s had another opportunity to attack.

Two wins from two start 2025 for the current NCEL Premier Division leaders, with the win and results elsewhere meaning they sit 6 points clear as things stand.

Another home fixture next for Sils, with Frickley Athletic the visitors to the Regal Interiors Stadium next Saturday, followed by a Bradford derby with Albion Sports on Monday 27th January.

Happy New Year to everyone from myself and the committee, a new year brings continued optimism with our league campaign as we enter the second half of the season, following a great start.

Our junior sections continue to thrive, as does the growing ladies team. It is our goal in the coming months/years to bridge the gap between our junior section and the first team to provide a genuine progression to semi pro football, with the help of Silsden whitestar and other avenues this is more than achievable.

Sadly we lost Jack Stockdill who went back to Liversedge last week but plans are in place to make a couple if not three signings to strengthen our squad and give Cav the depth he needs moving towards the business end of the season.

A strong Beverley side held us to a 1-1 draw last week, they are definitely one of the best sides we’ve come up against this year and I’m sure will be in the play offs come the end.

We hope to announce a few events in the club in the coming weeks, a perfect way to socialise while giving back to the club.

A big welcome to Martin Bland who has recently been co-opted onto the committee, a familiar face around the club and an ex player, who will be concentrating on improving our commercial avenues, sponsorship and engagement with the local community.

As ever, the club doesn’t run itself, we are always looking for willing volunteers who can spare even just an hour to help with tasks around the club.

If you haven’t visited us yet, pencil a home game in your diary, join us for a drink and some food or consider one of our numerous match day hospitality packages on offer.

Here’s to a great 2025!

Up the Sils
Will Twigg
Chairman