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

MATCH DETAILS

Silsden AFC 2-2 Tadcaster Albion

NCEL Premier Division

Tuesday 10th December 2024

Regal Interiors Stadium

TEAM DETAILS

Bradbury, Kilner (Jeffrey, 81’), Clark, Cromack, Billy, Cassidy, Hudson (Greaves, 83’), Maltby, Price, Brooksbank, Stewart.

Subs: Thompson, Miller

MATCH DETAILS

A tough game at the Regal Interiors Stadium yesterday saw a 2-2 draw between Silsden and Tadcaster.

Former Brewer Casey Stewart opened the scoring just three minutes into the game before Elliott Andrew levelled things from the spot on 45 minutes.

Luke Brooksbank then put us back in front soon into the second half but Junayd Cassius-Gill’s 80th minute header meant the game ended level.

Whilst it ends our 14 game winning run, we still remain unbeaten in 15 and atop the NCEL Premier Division table.

Stewart got things off to the perfect start, collecting a perfectly weighted long ball from Jake Cassidy and slotting home right-footed into the bottom corner.

We had further chances to extend the lead in the first half, Kayle Price firing a 25-yard freekick whilst Ellis Hudson’s powerful drive forced a good save from the keeper.

Having controlled much of the first half, we gave away a spot kick just before the interval after a trip on Oli Norman inside the area.

As he did in the reverse fixture, Andrew stepped up to slot beyond Callum Bradbury and level the scores.

The game almost turned on its head early in the second half, with a number of great chances for the visitors, Norman and Andrew shooting wide from outside the area on both occasions.

Despite Taddy starting the half the brighter, we retook the lead after Jake Maltby’s through ball found Brooksbank one v one and he made no mistake firing the ball into the corner.

There would be limited chances before Taddy’s eventual leveller on 80 minutes.

With the pressure mounting, a cross to the back post found Cassius-Gill who headed home for 2-2.

Although we looked to push forward for a winner, the Taddy defence stood firm to hold on for a point.

Speaking after the game, Sils gaffer Matt Cavanagh said:

“I thought first half we nullified their threat, our pressing and shape were good, we stopped them from playing their game which is playing out from the back and they are good at it.

We just weren’t clinical enough in that first half and we’ve let them back into the game, it’s always a bad time to concede a goal right on the stroke of halftime especially with individual errors.

Overall I was pleased with the first half but we just didn’t put the game to bed.

We probably started the second half a bit sloppy and the momentum swung with them on top. But yeah we got the goal and should see the game out.

We got caught a little bit for their goal, we should be clearing our lines, stopping the cross and defending the back stick better.

At the end of the day they’ve scored from it an end a really great run that the lads have been on and their really disappointed to concede in that manner but as you say it’s 15 games unbeaten now and would we take that, of course we would.

It’s been really, really positive these past few months and we’ll take that and go into Saturday with West Didsbury.

If you look at the lads in the dressing room they’re a little bit disappointed with the draw but I’ve just said you park it, you take that over the course of a season and you bounce and go again.

In the past we’ve drawn or lost a game then followed it up with another but this season it’s about having that mentality to break it, go on and win the next match and the lads know that that’s what we expect as a management team.

There’s no reason why the lads can’t do that on Saturday, we’ve got a tough run coming up in the league in December, we’re missing some bodies, some talented footballers but hopefully they’ll be back in a couple of weeks”.

 

MATCH DETAILS

Thackley AFC 2-3 Silsden AFC

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 30th November 2024

Dennyfield

TEAM DETAILS

Bradbury, Cromack, Clark, Daly, Billy, Cassidy, Hudson (Kilner, 85), Stockdill (Maltby, 20), Price (Greaves, 85), Stewart

Subs: Jeffrey, Conteh

MATCH REPORT

A completely different set of conditions faced the Sils players today after the freezing cold win at Horbury in Tuesday’s 2-1 league cup win.

Corey Billy remained at the back today after Harry Coates ankle injury. With Tom Greaves returning to Dennyfield after being player/asst. manager last season for Thackley.

In our early season home game Sils superb first half performance gave us a 3-0 win in front of a big Friday night crowd.

Thackley hoped to back up an impressive win over Albion Sports during the week. To maintain their play off push. With Sils of course on a crazy 13 game winning run that has propelled us to top spot.

Thackley started the better in the first half, pressing the ball well and forcing Sils to move the ball quicker than they’d have liked to out of deep defensive positions.

A very early yellow for Jack Stockdill for a late one in the 3rd minute started proceedings.

Then in the 8th minute Thackley broke down the left, the pass should’ve been tapped in but somehow the shot was blazed over from a few yards.

A few minutes later Casey Stewart cut in from a left wing run on to his right foot but the shot was well over.

Soon after Luke Brooksbank took an identical route and again the shot went over the bar but was alot closer whilst in the 17th minute Thackley had a shot well saved by Callum Bradbury at near post.

Just 10 secs later home side pulled a shot on the break wide. At this point it looked like the Dennyboys may well take the lead with one of their attacks. Jake Maltby then replaced Jack Stockdill off the bench but Thackley continued to press Sils high up the pitch although a few longer passes almost broke the high home offside trap.

Brooksbank was working hard to break the stalemate and had a shot blocked on the half hour. Ellis Hudson was then subject to a heavy tackle but no yellow card this time.

In the 33rd minute, as I exclaimed my displeasure at a long ball up to Kayle Price, he brilliantly held it up and slid across to Ellis Hudson who hit it into the top corner with a bulging net. 1-0 Sils. The Chocolate Brigade weren’t letting me forget that one!

Silsden came more into the game in the last 15 of the half but there was still time for Ant Brown to go clean through on goal only for Bradbury to make a great stop with his legs. Sils leading 1-0 HT, but Thackley definitely shading the half.

The second half started slower than the first ended but in the 52nd minute Price picked up the ball on the left hand side close to the dead ball line and worked past 2 Thackley players, the second deflecting the ball against his chest before it dropped to his feet to slot in the second. Great solo goal.

The joy was shortlived as in the 55′ minute a cracking save by Bradbury cannoned onto the bar to only drop down and roll over the line despite our best efforts to keep it out. 2-1. Thackley stepped up the pressure for a few minutes, Bradbury again getting a block in at his near post with the resulting corner coming to nothing.

Silsden came back into the game again with Brooksbank, busy all game, having a shot blaze over. A few offsides went against us as we tried to find a way through.

A few minutes later though Silsden extended their lead once more. As Price again turned provider as his cross went over everyone’s head and dropped to Ellis Hudson who hit it as sweet as you like to skim across the ground and make it 3-1.

A mistake by Thackley was seized upon in the 74th minute, again by Price who this time couldn’t keep it down.

In the 79th minute Corey Billy tried to guide the ball back to Bradbury but it didn’t get there and luckily deflected away for a goal kick. Thackley then won a corner from the right and Liam Hudson rose unchallenged to head home their second. Here we go again.

Sam Kilner and Tom Greaves replaced Kayle Price and Ellis Hudson from the bench and the team held firm into injury time. There was still time for a Finn Donovan sin binning, before the referee blew up for win number 14 in a row.

Not much between these two sides this time. Callum Bradbury making some vital saves today and Sils taking their chances when they did probably the difference. Could’ve been alot different story had Thackley converted their early shots in the first half.  But again the team find a way to win and the run continues.

A week off now before we face 3 games in 6 days. Starting with West Didsbury in a huge fa vase rerun of our fa cup encounter earlier in the season.

Up the Sils. Nige.