Match Details

Silsden 0-2 Penistone Church

NCEL Premier Division

Tuesday 9th August

The Office Interiors Stadium – Att: 162

Match Report

Silsden fell to their first defeat of the 22/23 season against a well organised Penistone Church side on Tuesday. Goals from Ryan Johnson and Reece High handing the visitors the three points.

Whilst both sides created a number of decent chances, It would be Church who showed a more ruthless side in front of goal, with Sils keeper George Clarke being called into action numerous times throughout the match.

The visitors would be on the front foot from the first whistle, putting the Cobbydaler’s defence under pressure in the games early exchanges. Despite an intuitive goal line clearance from Arley Barnes followed by a good save from Clarke, Church opened the scoring after just 6 minutes.

A Church corner was cleared back out wide to fullback Ash Ellis, his floated cross found Johnson unmarked at the back stick who had the simple task of heading in the opener.

Throughout the remainder of the first half Silsden would go in search of an equaliser with good chances for both Finn Donovan and Jos Bradshaw being beaten away by keeper Chris Snaith.

Church also created a number of chances on the counter and were it not for the efforts of the Sils defence throwing their bodies in front of the ball, the game could have been over before half time.

After the break it would be the visitors who looked to double their advantage, Nathan Keightley looking dangerous as he fired a low drive wide of Clarke’s post.

Silsden made a number of changes as they looked to shift the tide of the game, although this did little to prevent Penistone coming forward and creating chances. On 73 minutes a fine block from Carlton Pownall denied the visitors what looked like a certain second goal.

The Cobbydaler’s best chance came on 81 minutes when winger Luke Brooksbank curled a freekick narrowly wide of the top left corner. Church would secure the points just moments later however; Reece High pouncing on a loose ball in the penalty area to rifle home beyond Clarke.

The 2-0 defeat sees Silsden slip to 8th, but with only two games played, there’s plenty of room for improvement for a new look Sils side.

Next up for The Cobbydaler’s is a trip to Frickley on Tuesday before the FA Cup journey continues as Charnock Richard travel to The Office Interiors Stadium for the Preliminary Round.

Match Details

Silsden AFC 1-0 Burscough FC

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

Saturday 6th August 2022

The Office Interiors Stadium

Match Report

Silsden began their FA Cup journey with a 1-0 win over ten-man Burscough thanks to a late own goal.

Although the visitors were down to 10 men for almost 65 minutes, it looked as though the North West Counties Premier League side might force a replay.

However a late Antony Brown shot was turned in by a defender, giving The Cobbydaler’s their second consecutive 1-0 win and seeing them through to the Preliminary Round where they will take on either Yorkshire Amateur or Charnock Richard.

In a back-and-forth first half, Silsden survived an early scare when Brad Elms fired over from 6 yards. They would quickly grow into the game however, Luke Brooksbank found himself in behind on the right hand side and looked to cross when he perhaps should have taken the shot on himself.

New midfielder Talent Ndlovu looked a real handful for the hosts and would carve out their best chance in the opening 45 minutes. Determined tackling from the Zimbabwean followed by a neat pass sent in Jos Bradshaw but he could only dink his effort wide of the right hand post.

The tie changed dynamic when Linnet’s midfielder Louis Sharp dove in recklessly on Jacob Smith, leaving the referee little choice but to dismiss him. Smith was able to continue for the full remainder of the game, much to the relief of the Silsden Fans who witnessed injuries to centre halves Alex Laird and Sam Bradley in last week’s league opener.

Despite the man advantage, The Cobbydaler’s struggled to forge clear cut chances. On 68 minutes a cross from the left found an unmarked Arale Mohamed but he could only volley wide from a tight angle.

This was followed by Bradshaw using his strength well to create some space in the box, but seeing his half-volleyed effort deflect wide for a corner.

A breakthrough would be found by the hosts on 85 minutes. Brown was allowed space in the penalty area and his low drive was turned in by Burscough defender Brad Elms, sparking big celebrations from the 140 strong crowd.

Whilst Brown would have two more chances late on, both would be denied by visiting keeper Abidan Edwards, leaving the final score as 1-0.

The result means Silsden have won back to back competitive games for the first time since February, giving the side plenty of confidence heading into Tuesday’s home league fixture with Penistone Church.

Match Details

Bottesford Town 0-1 Silsden AFC

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 30th July 2022

Barrett Steel Stadium

Match Report

Silsden began their 22/23 with a 1-0 win away to Bottesford Town on Saturday afternoon.

In a very end-to-end game, it would be a first half own goal from Poacher’s defender Hashlee Cranidge that settled the game.

Despite the game turning a little feisty in the second half, The Cobbydaler’s defence stood firm, giving them the three points.

It would be the visiting Silsden who started the better in Lincolnshire. On ten minutes, new man Talent Ndlovu let a speculative effort go from 30 yards but it flew well over.

Just six minutes later, Sils would take the lead when winger Brad Riley found space on the left hand side of the box. His initial effort was parried by the Bottesford keeper, but the ball inadvertently rebounded off Cranidge and into the hosts net.

As the half continued, The Poachers would begin to find their groove, creating a number of chances that had to be dealt with by the defence, Clarke making a number of saves.

The back and forth action was summed up when full back Carlton Pownall was forced to make a superb acrobatic goal line clearance, before just seconds later Riley would go up the other end and find himself bearing down on goal, only to fire his shot too high.

With the hosts looking for a way back into the match and Silsden looking to hold on, the game quickly began to turn nasty, with many late tackles flying in. Bottesford’s number 8 was even sent to the sinbin for dissent on 52 minutes.

Silsden’s defensive partnership of Alex Laird and Jacob Smith (who had replaced the injured Sam Bradley) looked mostly comfortable against a rather blunt Poacher’s attack, facing little second half danger and allowing the midfield and attack to keep fashioning chances.

Liam Hudson, who started at right back was unlucky to see his curling effort fly just wide and late on Arale Mohamed’s lightning pace almost allowed him in behind but the keeper did well to smother the ball.

All in all, The Cobbydaler’s will be pleased to pick up the three points on the opening day with a solid team performance. The new lads looking to have gelled quickly.

Another big test awaits Silsden this Saturday as they take on Burscough in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Qualifying Round before hosting Penistone Church on Tuesday.

Match Details

Bottesford Town v Silsden AFC

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 30th July 2022

3pm KO

Barrett Steel Stadium

Birch Park, Ontario Road, Scunthorpe, DN17 2TQ

Match Preview

Competitive football finally returns after a long and busy summer. Plenty of action on and off the field in pre-season but the real test starts here as we make the trip down to Scunthorpe to take on Bottesford Town.

New management duo Matt Cavanagh and Luke Lavery will oversee their first league fixture since taking on the role in May. Over the summer 10 new players have been brought to the club and you can expect many to feature in Saturday’s fixture with The Poachers.

Pre-season saw both sides come up against a number of tough sides, our record standing at three wins, two draws and two defeats, including impressive victories over both Bradford (Park Avenue), Ilkley Town and local rivals Steeton. Bottesford picked up two wins against Cleethorpes and Appleby but also suffered defeats to a Scunthorpe United XI, Brigg Town and Beverley.

Last season in the NCEL both sides finished level on points but our superior goal difference meant we finished in 13th, one place above our hosts on Saturday. Both matches between us last year finished were tight affairs, resulting in a 1-0 away win for Silsden early in the season before the return fixture ended in a 4-3 victory for The Cobbydalers; Jos Bradshaw amongst the goalscorers in that one.

Bradshaw was our top scorer in pre-season, finding the net on four occasions with a neat penalty against BPA and a hat-trick when we took on Ilkley. New signing Lamin Janneh also provided three goals, the former Albion man adding some real firepower to our attack this season.

In defence, the signings of Alex Laird, Jacob Smith, George Skocki and Sam Bradley provide plenty of depth at centre half whilst young fullback Jake Hemmingway joins us from Halifax Town. Our midfield also looks to be well stacked with the signings of Talent Ndlovu, Lennon O’Grady and Raeece Ellington. Winger Arale Mohamed also provides pace and end product in the attacking third.

With the season kicking off tomorrow, we know everyone involved with the club including fans, players and staff can’t wait to get started for what will be a new era for Silsden!

Safe journey to everyone making the trip tomorrow!

 

Match Details

Silsden AFC v Ilkley Town

Friendly

Thursday 21st July

The Office Interiors Stadium – 78

Match Report

There were goals galore at The Office Interiors Stadium on Thursday night as Silsden ran riot over local rivals Ilkley with a highly impressive 7-2 victory.

Despite going behind early on, the Cobbydalers would be 3-1 up by half time with goals from Arale Mohamed and a brace from Jos Bradshaw.

In the second half, Bradshaw would complete his hat-trick and further goals would be added by skipper Kyle Hancock, Finn Donovan and Trialist D.

As often the case this pre-season, Silsden would find themselves behind early on. An Ilkley corner was missed by everyone in a red shirt leaving Blake Wood to head home at the far post.

The hosts would quickly pull themselves together and press for an equaliser. It would be new man Mohamed who grabbed his first Sils goal on 26 minutes when an error from the visiting defence left him a simple tap in to level the scores.

Bradshaw then turned the game on its head just 5 minutes later, good work down the right allowing him space on the edge of the area where he beat his man and poked a low finish beyond Wade in the Ilkley goal.

He would add his second on 38 minutes. A dinked through pass sent the towering number 9 one on one and he kept his composure to bury the chance on the half-volley. Last season’s Player of the Season proving why he’s valued so highly at The Office Interiors Stadium.

Halftime did little to halt Silsden’s momentum and on 53 minutes when captain Hancock stepped up to curl a 30-yard free kick into the bottom corner, the game looked all but over.

Sils fans had barley finished celebrating that goal when Bradshaw grabbed the fifth and his third just a minute later. A goalmouth scramble saw the ball drop at the number 9’s feet half a yard out; possibly his easiest goal in a Silsden shirt.

The Baht’atters players might be forgiven for giving up at this point but would hit back almost instantly through a James Hudson strike. For those who might have lost count, the score stood at 5-2 at this point, with 35 minutes still to play!

Any hopes of a miraculous Ilkley comeback were quickly squashed by Sils winger Donovan. His neat footwork allowed him space in the area and his cool finish summed up a ruthless afternoon for the hosts.

There was even time to add a seventh goal. Two trialists combining well, with B crossing for D to tap home and complete the rout.

All in all an impressive result for Silsden and manager Matt Cavanagh was keen to praise his players following the result:

“After 20 minutes they got their head around the shape I’ve been looking for. It’s something we worked on in training Tuesday and we’ve been developing a structure of how we want to go about things and the lads did really well in that regard and dominated the remainder of the game”

The Cobbydaler’s head to Stockport Town on Saturday for their final friendly before the season kicks off on 30th July. Silsden’s first league game sees them make the away trip to Bottesford Town and a positive pre-season can give fans plenty to be hopeful of come next Saturday.

 

Match Details

Silsden v Bradford Park Avenue

Friendly

Saturday 9th July

The Office Interiors Stadium

Match Report

On a bright and sunny afternoon at The Office Interiors Stadium, Silsden earned a hard fought 2-1 victory over National League North side Bradford Park Avenue as we continue our pre-season preparations ahead of the 22/23 campaign.

Despite falling behind just 10 minutes in, a composed, first-half penalty from Josi Bradshaw brought the scores level before new striker Lamin Jaddeh opened his Sils account with a neat finish on 52 minutes. Winger Arale Mohamed also saw a late penalty well saved.

A strong and organised performance from Silsden against an admittedly experimental Park Avenue side, but it can certainly provide a confidence boost to both players and fans alike.

It would be the visitors who started the brighter, Cobbydaler’s keeper Matty Keen was forced into action just five minutes in, using his agility to tip over a close range effort following a corner.

Bradford would lead just a few minutes later when two unnamed trialists combined. Good work by the winger down the left allowed him space for the cross, which was simply tapped home at the back post.

Sils however, quickly looked for a way back into the game. Luke Brooksbank fired a shot narrowly wide of the post before Bradshaw used his strength to break into the area before being brought to the ground by the BPA defender.

Bradshaw, last seasons Player of the Year, stepped up and rolled his spot kick calmly into the right hand corner of the goal.

For the remainder of the half, chances were few and far between with visiting defender Luke Havern coming closest, heading just over from a freekick.

Silsden would make two changes at the break and it would be the introduction of striker Jaddeh proving instrumental as he latched on to a perfectly weighted through ball from stand-in captain Kyle Hancock. The new man kept his composure to round  keeper George Sykes-Kenworthy before slotting the ball into an empty net.

Over the next 20 minutes, both sides would go in search of the next goal. The visitors fired a number of half-chances over Keen’s crossbar, before tricky winger Mohamed also curled a decent chance over the top of the goal.

With the game in its dying minutes, Mohamed would again cause problems for the Bradford defence, his pace allowed him to latch onto a loose ball in the box before he was tripped, leaving the ref with no choice but to point to the spot for a second time.

The former Athletico man took on the responsibility himself but was unfortunate to see his penalty saved by Sykes-Kenworthy.

Despite the miss, Silsden would hold on to claim a brilliant 2-1 win and they will want to keep the winning momentum heading into Wednesday’s friendly with Nostell MW.

We can confirm our retained list ahead of the 2022/2023 season.

Arley Barnes – Centre Back/Centre Midfielder – Captain

Kyle Hancock – Centre Midfielder

Harry Thompson – Centre Midfielder

Carlton Pownall – Fullback

Finn Donovan – Winger/Attacker

Josi Bradshaw – Striker – Manager’s POTY

Antony Brown – Striker

Liam Hudson – Centre Back/Centre Midfielder

Lewis Gartland – Winger

Harry Parsons – Centre/Left Back

Delighted to have all these lads back for the new campaign!

 

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Matt Cavanagh and Luke Lavery as the new Joint Managers of the First Team.

Matt and Luke previously managed our West Yorkshire League side to both a league title and a cup final in their debut season. During this time they recruited and developed a number of young players whilst playing exciting football and ensuring the group performed at a consistently high level.

Alongside them, defender Shaun Airey will take up a role as Assistant Coach and we plan to announce a new First Team Coach in addition to these fantastic appointments shortly.

We hope you will join us in wishing our new managerial team well, starting with some exciting plans to progress our team recruitment and get the side ready ahead of the new season.

A big thank you to everyone who attended the Awards Night on Saturday, it was a brilliant way to sign off on a season of great progress for the club. A special mention to Lee Duxbury for his role in the presentation and to singer Lianne King for providing fantastic entertainment for the night!

Another big shout out to the players, staff and supporters of all of our sides this year, as a club we are extremely proud of your hard work and dedication to Silsden AFC and grateful for you all.

Here’s the full list of all award winners from Saturday!

Ladies:

Manager’s Player – Rebecca Seward

Player’s Player – Becca Brown

Away Managers Match Point – Poppy Best

WYL:

West Yorkshire League Division 1 Champions

Golden Boot – Luke Brooksbank

Manager’s Player – Luke Brooksbank

Player’s Player – Luke Brooksbank

First Team:

Golden Boot – Jack Normanton

Young Player of the Season – Lewis Gardner

Manager’s Player – Josi Bradshaw

Player’s Player – Arley Barnes

The John McNulty Memorial Trophy – Lewis Gardner

A massive congratulations to all award winners, you all deserve it!

Full Gallery by Linda Gartland:

Silsden AFC are now inviting applications for the role of First Team Manager.

Applicants should forward their CV including qualifications, experience and any other information they feel will assist us with the decision process.

Please contact Vice Chairman John Lohan:

john.silsdenfc@hotmail.co.uk