Match Details

Silsden AFC 2-0 Albion Sports

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 15th October

The Office Interiors Stadium – Att: 176

Match Report

Silsden put an end to their three game losing run with an impressive 2-0 victory over local rivals Albion Sports yesterday.

Two first half goals were enough to secure the three points for the hosts, with a Talent Ndlovu screamer opening the scoring before Luke Brooksbank smashed home his seventh goal in all competitions this season.

The Cobbydaler’s defence were threatened on a number of occasions but put in a solid display to ensure they kept the clean sheet.

With just under 15 minutes gone, Ndlovu found himself with space around 25-yards from goal, his precise, curling effort flew beyond the keepers reach and into the top corner, giving Silsden a 1-0 lead.

Only 10 minutes later, a defensive mix-up allowed young full back Alex Stewart to get to the byline and cut the ball back to Brooksbank whose low finish nestled into the far corner for the second.

Ant Brown would almost add a third after the half-hour mark when a miskick from Albion stopper George McMahon allowed the striker space to get his shot away, McMahon did well to recover and push the effort away however.

As the half continued, hard tackles were flying in from both sides, both Brown and Jacob Smith ending up in the book for late challenges.

After the break, chances were few and far between for both sides, until on 60 minutes an Albion corner caused havoc in the penalty area.

Sam Kelly did well to get down to the initial effort before Stewart was on hand to get the ball away from danger.

At the other end, Brooksbank will likely be wondering how he didn’t grab a second, his close-volley pushed away by McMahon when it looked inevitable he would score.

The visitors then looked certain to pull one back on 77 minutes but centre half Smith had other ideas, throwing his body on the line to deny them; a magnificent piece of defending from the 18-year-old.

With the game coming to a close, Brown would see himself sent off for persistent fouling, picking up a second yellow with only seconds of the game to go.

The result sees Silsden climb back up to 8th in the table in what is proving to be a tight season in the NCEL Premier Division.

Next week sees Handsworth visit The Office Interiors Stadium as The Cobbydaler’s look to build on yesterday’s result and continue to push towards the top end of the table.

Match Details

Emley AFC 3-0 Silsden AFC

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 8th October

The Fantastic Media Welfare Ground

Match Report

A huge crowd of over 500 watched on as a travelling Silsden were defeated 3-0 by a high-flying Emley side yesterday.

Goals from Iyrwah Gooden, former Cobbydaler Joe Jagger and Paul Walker were enough to hand the Pewits the three points.

Things could have gone differently on another day with the visitors having their fair share of chances but a second defeat in under a week sees Silsden slip down the table to 12th.

The opening exchanges saw opportunities for both skipper Kyle Hancock, screwing an effort from the edge of the box wide and Luke Brooksbank who made a great run into the six-yard area before mistiming his finish and sending the ball past the upright.

Two quick fire goals from the hosts then completely changed the game.

Gooden opening the scoring, latching onto a cross before poking beyond Sam Kelly for 1-0.

Just moments later, the Silsden defence were caught dallying in possession, allowing the division’s top scorer Jagger to smash home the hosts second.

From then on the Cobbydalers searched for a route back into the game, Ant Brown seeing a huge penalty shout waved away before Talent Ndlovu opened fire from distance only to see his effort fly narrowly wide of the post.

Opportunities weren’t in short supply for both sides, Gooden heading over the top from a corner before Josi Bradshaw had a low shot tipped round the post by a diving Dec Lambton.

The second half would continue in the same manner, Silsden defender Alex Laird putting his body on the line to deny Jagger a second whilst at the other end Lambton would deny both Bradshaw and Brooksbank in quick succession.

Silsden’s best chance would come on 65 minutes, brilliant work down the right from Ellis Hudson set Brown free near the penalty spot but the experienced striker sent the ball well over Lambton’s crossbar.

To sum up the visitors day, Emley would immediately go up the other end and score.

Despite Kelly’s best efforts, saving a powerful Jagger drive, the former Emley man was unable to prevent Walker’s headed rebound from dropping into the back of the net for three.

Kelly would then be called into action soon after, pushing away a long range free kick before recovering brilliantly to smother the rebound.

His determined resilience didn’t stop there either, the young stopper reacting quickly to turn a close range effort over the bar and prevent a fourth for the hosts.

Silsden have the opportunity to put things right on Tuesday in “The Train Station Derby” with Steeton. Kick off for The County West Riding County Cup first round fixture at Marley is 7.45pm.

Match Details

Ollerton Town 3-2 Silsden AFC

NCEL League Cup Second Round

Wednesday 5th October

The Fast Frame Stadium

Match Report

A late goal sent Silsden crashing out of the NCEL League Cup on Wednesday, as they fell to a 3-2 defeat away to Ollerton Town.

Despite starting slow and finding themselves 2-0 down, the Cobbydalers fought back with goals from Luke Brooksbank and Talent Ndlovu.

Just as the game looked to be heading to penalties, Town snatched a last-gasp winner to secure their place in the next round.

Silsden would get off to the worst possible start, Sam Kelly giving away a penalty after only seven minutes. The admittedly talented Alfie Dodsworth stepped up and opened the scoring.

The hosts continued to dominate the early exchanges, Dodsworth first curling narrowly wide before Kelly was forced into a stunning save, tipping over what looked a certain second goal.

Carlton Pownall and Finn Donovan would then both have opportunities just moments apart, the former seeing his stinging effort pushed clear then Donovan sending over after getting behind on the left.

Kelly would be called into action again before half-time, proving his quality with a brilliant diving save down to his left.

Just two minutes after the break, Ollerton and Dodsworth grabbed a second, curling a low freekick around the wall and into the bottom corner.

There was a glimmer of hope on 61 minutes, Ndlovu floated in a free kick that was spillled by the keeper, leaving young winger Brooksbank to smash home his seventh goal of the campaign.

With 15 minutes to go, Brooksbank came inches away from scoring with a flicked header cleared upwards towards the goal line, only for a defender to get back and head away from danger.

The equaliser would come just two minutes from time, Lamin Janneh’s low cross was swiped at by Brooksbank, but fell to Ndlovu unmarked at the back post to slot the ball home and make it 2-2.

Silsden would have been forgiven for thinking the game was set for spot kicks, but a lapse of concentration allowed Nathan Murr to smash home a winner and send the Nottinghamshire side through to the next round.

There’s a chance for the Cobbydalers to make amends this weekend with a league trip to face second-placed Emley on Saturday.

 

Match Details

Silsden AFC 2-0 Golcar United

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 1st October

The Office Interiors Stadium

Match Report

Silsden returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory at home to Golcar United yesterday.

A goal in each half for striker Josi Bradshaw gave The Cobbydaler’s the three points and sees them climb to 8th in the NCEL Premier Division table.

Golcar would create two chances early on, first sending a volley just wide from a corner before a shot at the back post could only find the side netting.

These opportunities were a wake up call for Silsden who began to push forward themselves. Bradshaw seeing a low effort turned round the post by Harry Stead.

Luke Brooksbank then almost opened the scoring after a low cross from Finn Donovan came towards him in the centre, but the young winger just couldn’t make contact with the ball.

Another opportunity fell his way from a corner with Stead being forced into a great reflex save before Jake Maltby was denied his first Silsden goal by a smart goal line clearance.

The deadlock would be broken on 22 minutes when Bradshaw raced onto a sloppy back pass, took the ball beyond the keeper and slotted into the empty net for his 5th goal of the campaign.

After the goal the game began to slow down, Brooksbank would have another chance before the break; Bradshaw this time looking to turn provider with a perfectly weighted through ball, only for the young winger to have his shot saved by Stead.

The second half took almost 15 minutes to provide any action of note, skipper Kyle Hancock curling a 25-yard freekick goalwards, Golcar’s keeper was there to tip it over however.

At the other end, the visitors would miss a gilt edge opportunity to level the scores when Leon Henry found himself unmarked at the back post, but he would somehow send his effort wide, much to the relief of the Silsden defence.

Sam Kelly would be called into action on 71 minutes, denying a wonderful overhead kick attempt, then just minutes later Kayle Price fizzed an effort narrowly wide of the right hand post.

Despite these chances, it would be The Cobbydalers who grabbed their second goal and secured the victory.

A moment of magic from Bradshaw as he picked up the ball in his own half, dribbled past a defender before firing a 25-yard looping effort over Stead and into the top corner: a goal worthy of winning any game.

The win sees Sils climb the table once again and they are beginning to establish themselves as part of the chasing pack in the league.

There’s a break from league action once again however, with a long midweek trip to Ollerton for the League Cup next on the fixture list.

Match Details

Harrogate Railway 1-1 Silsden AFC (5-3 Penalties)

FA Vase Second Qualifying Round

Saturday 24th September

Station View

Match Report

Silsden’s FA Vase campaign ended in a 5-3 penalty shootout defeat to Harrogate Railway yesterday afternoon.

Railway took an early lead through Keiran Greenway before substitute Josi Bradshaw hit a late leveller to send the game to penalties.

With the first set of kicks both converted, Luke Brooksbank then sent his shot over the bar, leading the hosts to convert all five of their penalties to progress through to the first round.

Things didn’t get off to the best start for the Cobbydalers when a cross from the right could only be headed as far as Greenway who smashed home a left footed volley to open the scoring.

After the goal, both sides struggled to break down the oppositions defences, being forced to shoot from range, with the majority of shots failing to hit the target.

There was a tense moment at the back for Silsden on the verge of half time, a long through ball forced goalkeeper Sam Kelly to sweep and head the ball, only to lose the aerial challenge, forcing Jacob Smith to loop a clearance high above his own crossbar.

The second half saw the hosts look to press for a second, a scramble in the box looked promising for Railway but the visitors were eventually able to clear out the danger.

An audacious attempt from the half way line from midfielder Jack Lazenby almost caught Kelly of his line but the former Emley man was able to get back just in time to prevent what would have been a great goal.

The Cobbydaler’s were being forced to defend under intense Harrogate pressure, Smith first making a brilliant goal line clearance after an acrobatic effort before captain Liam Hudson make a huge block with his face to keep the visitors in with a chance.

That chance would come on 92 minutes, Finn Donovan bringing the ball down in the box before laying it across to Bradshaw who rifled home a low and accurate finish to send the game to a shootout.

After the opening spot kicks were converted by Daniel Thirkhill and Bradshaw respectively, Lazenby placed home the second before Brooksbank sent his penalty over the bar to give the hosts the advantage.

Despite Silsden scoring both of their next two penalties, Kelly was unable to prevent Albert Ibraa smashing home the winning kick and sending the Division One side through to the next round.

It’s back to the training ground for Silsden this week who have much to do ahead of next Saturday’s NCEL Premier Division fixture with Golcar United.

Match Details

Thackley AFC 3-2 Silsden AFC

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 17th September

Dennyfield

Match Report

It was derby day disappointment for Silsden yesterday afternoon as they fell to a 3-2 defeat to local rivals Thackley.

Although The Cobbydaler’s head led 2-1 early on with goals from Brad Riley and top scorer Luke Brooksbank, a quickfire double from the Dennyboys handed them the lead and the three points.

The visitors got off to the perfect start with Riley opening the scoring after just a minute.

Finn Donovan’s throughball was miscontrolled by a Thackley defender, allowing the winger one-on-one with Luke Wilson and he made no mistake in placing the ball into the bottom corner.

Silsden’s lead would last just two minutes however as a corner from the left ricocheted around the penalty area before being smashed home by Kris Hargreaves.

Brooksbank would put Sils back in front on 23 minutes with his 6th goal of the season. His shot from range took a huge deflection, catching Wilson out and giving the visitors a 2-1 lead.

Once again the hosts hit back quickly, winger Amir Birchill seeing his effort loop over Sam Kelly for the leveller.

They would take the lead just four minutes later when in-form striker Thomas Greaves powered home a header following a deep freekick.

After a five-goal first half, The Dennyboys looked to add to that tally in the second, forcing the Silsden defence to make a number of crucial blocks and clearances inside their own penalty area.

With the game nearing its end, Lamin Janneh would have two great opportunities to level the tie.

For his first chance, the pacy striker sprinted in behind, only to be met by the onrushing Wilson who did well to narrow the angle.

The second opportunity came just a minute later, left back Lewis Gardner powering into the box before drilling a low ball across the 6-yard box, Janneh sending his effort high over the cross bar.

That would prove to be the final chance for both sides, the hosts holding on to claim the three points. For Silsden, the result sees them slip to 8th, still one place above yesterday’s opponents.

There’s a break from league action for The Cobbydaler’s next weekend as they travel to Harrogate Railway in the FA Vase second qualifying round.

Match Details

Thackley AFC v Silsden AFC

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 17th September

3pm Kickoff

Dennyfield

Ainsbury Avenue, Thackley, Bradford, BD10 0TL.

£6 adults/£3 concessions/Free for u16’s.

Match Preview

Tomorrow see’s our first local derby of the campaign as we make the short trip to Dennyfield to take on Thackley.

In terms of league position, the Bradford outfit sit in 9th with three wins, two draws and two defeats to start the season. This puts them on nine points, four behind 6th placed Silsden who will be looking to continue the bright start.

Both sides come into the tie in good form, with The Dennyboys and The Cobbydalers putting up back-to-back league wins. A 6-2 thumping of Maltby Main followed by a 3-2 away win at Bottesford have seen our hosts climb the table. Whilst our 2-1 win over Yorkshire Amateur and our impressive 4-1 display over North Ferriby mean both teams will be full of confidence ahead of Saturday’s clash.

Thackley and ourselves boast two of the top ten highest scorers in the division in the form of Thomas Greaves and Luke Brooksbank respectively. Both men on five league goals, with the former also bagging a goal in the FA Vase. Having scored 33 goals last year for Silsden’s West Yorkshire League side, young winger Brooksbank looks to have settled into NCEL football very quickly, scoring a brilliant hat trick midweek and he will be hoping to add to his tally this weekend.

Last seasons fixtures between the two sides were ones to quickly forget for Silsden fans. A 3-0 defeat at Keighley Road before a 4-0 away defeat to The Dennyboys who must be hoping for a repeat performance this time out.

A West Yorkshire derby win for Sils would no doubt be a sign of the great progress being made on the pitch. With both sides in good form and a big incentive for victory, we are no doubt in for an exciting and tough battle at Dennyfield tomorrow.

 

 

Match Details

Silsden AFC 4-1 North Ferriby FC

NCEL Premier Division

Tuesday 13th September

The Office Interiors Stadium – Att: 108

Match Report

A stunning Silsden performance saw them run out 4-1 winners against a high-flying North Ferriby side at The Office Interiors Stadium last night.

Luke Brooksbank’s magnificent hat-trick alongside a Josi Bradshaw penalty gave the West Yorkshire side a sizeable lead before a late Danny East header gave the visitors a consolation goal.

In a fairly even affair, The Cobbydaler’s ruthlessness in front of goal, as well as their valiant defensive resistance proved to be the difference, making it back-to-back victories for the hosts.

Whilst The Villager’s did start the brighter, hitting the post when Joel Shortland’s volley deflected off the leg of Liam Hudson, it would be Silsden who took the lead.

A neat throughball from Brad Riley left Brooksbank bearing down on goal, and despite the defenders best efforts, the young winger cut the ball onto his supposedly weaker right foot before curling a wonderful strike into the top right corner of the goal.

The next 15 minutes saw chances fall to both sides, Hudson again on hand to make a crucial defensive block, then at the other end Jordan Douglas used his leg to deny Bradshaw the second goal of the evening.

Controversy struck just before half time when the visitors thought they had levelled the game following a corner.

Oli Donald looked to have forced the ball home on the goal line, only for the linesman to cut the celebrations short by claiming the whole ball hadn’t crossed; a huge let off for Silsden.

The Cobbydaler’s flew out of the blocks in the second half however, quickly doubling their lead after a mistake from Douglas.

Brooksbank receiving the ball following the North Ferriby stopper’s miss kick, taking aim and rifling in an absolute rocket from all of 25 yards.

Two goal of the season contenders from the clubs leading goalscorer.

Silsden weren’t finished there however; just minutes later Bradshaw was tripped in the penalty area, leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot.

Last season’s Manager’s Player of the Year stepped up himself and converted the spot kick, placing the ball straight down the centre of the goal.

North Ferriby pressed forward in search of a way back into the game, a goalmouth scramble was somehow forced clear by the hosts defence, despite a number of Villager’s players looking odds-on to poke home the ball.

Silsden put the gloss on the performance with a superbly worked fourth goal.

Lennon O’Grady and Jake Maltby combined before the latter slipped an inch-perfect pass through to Brooksbank who did well to keep his composure and slot a calm finish into the bottom left corner for his first ever hat trick in Semi-Professional football.

A late goal for the visitors from a corner wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits at The Office Interiors Stadium, with The Cobbydaler’s claiming their biggest league win of the season so far.

The 4-1 victory sees Silsden remain 6th in the NCEL Premier Division, and with a local derby against Thackley this Saturday, there’s still plenty to build on for Matt Cavanagh and Luke Lavery’s side.

 

Match Details

Silsden 2-1 Yorkshire Amateur

NCEL Premier Division

Wednesday 7th September

The Office Interiors Stadium – Att: 161

Match Report

A confident Silsden performance saw them end a 3 game winless run in the league with a 2-1 victory over a ten-man Yorkshire Amateur side.

Striker Josi Bradshaw proved instrumental for The Cobbydaler’s, providing the assist for Finn Donovan’s opener, before rifling home what proved to be the winner on the half hour mark.

Louis Fialdini notching the equaliser for the visitors in between.

Fialdini would see him self sent off in the second half after an off-the-ball incident with former Farsley teammate Jacob Smith, leaving Ammers to finish the game with ten men.

After last week’s disappointing defeat to Knaresborough, Silsden were keen to get off to a good start. Just five minutes in, Donovan found himself in on goal, only for keeper Aiden Smith to narrow the angle and make a fine save.

Lewis Gardner, returning on a dual registration deal from Guiseley, was proving a real handful down the left hand side; his cross finding the head of Bradshaw who could only head wide of the target.

With the early pressure mounting, Silsden would find themselves ahead on 14 minutes. A smart one-two between Donovan and Bradshaw allowed the latter to swing in a pinpoint cross to the back post where Donovan was able to head home his first of the campaign.

Yorkshire Amateur would level soon after however, good play down the left saw the ball drop out to the in-form Fialdini who made no mistake in smashing a powerful shot beyond Sam Kelly.

A goal against the run of play, but the quality of the strike can’t be denied.

The hosts were quickly back on the front foot, Donovan again racing in behind before seeing his shot saved by the leg of Smith.

Ammers couldn’t hold on for long though. Talent Ndlovu’s whipped freekick was met by Donovan whose goal bound header was parried into the path of Bradshaw; the number 9 placing the ball beyond a helpless Smith for Silsden’s second.

At the other end, Kelly was called into action to deny Jamal Stewart. The visitor’s striker battling his way into the box before seeing his powerful drive brilliantly diverted over the crossbar by the new Silsden stopper.

If the first half was all action in the final third, the second saw a feisty battle between the two sides that threatened to boil over on numerous occasions.

In terms of chances, Ndlovu saw a low effort from distance held by Smith, before Bradshaw smashed a half-volley over from inside the penalty area.

A foul in midfield evolved into yellow cards for both Smith and Fialdini before the latter lost his head, lashing out at Smith just minutes later, earning him a second yellow and a one match ban for his troubles.

All that was left for The Cobbydaler’s was to hold onto the three points, a curling effort from Wilfred Frimpong the only real effort of note, that one easily held onto by Kelly.

The final score 2-1 to Silsden, a result that sees them climb the Northern Counties East Premier Division table to 6th.

A long away trip to face early high flyers Barton Town on Saturday will prove a tough test for The Cobbydaler’s as they look to continue their promising start to the season.

 

 

Match Details

Silsden AFC 0-1 Knaresborough Town

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 3rd September

The Office Interior Stadium: Att: 151

Match Report

An early Knaresborough Town goal handed them a 1-0 win against a ten-man Silsden yesterday.

Having gone behind after just one minute, The Cobbydaler’s were left chasing the game for a full 90 minutes, but a number of saves from Tommy Brown as well as the woodwork denied them an equaliser

An 81st minute sending off for captain Kyle Hancock saw Silsden finish the game a man down, with the defeat seeing the Yorkshire side slip to 13th in the Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division.

Bradley Walker opened the scoring for the visitors with the first opportunity of the game, tapping in when a miss hit shot dropped to him at the back post.

Silsden looked for a way back into the game, Lamin Janneh forcing Brown into a good stop on 26 minutes, before Talent Ndlovu’s low cross also had to be pushed clear by the Town stopper.

Janneh and Luke Brooksbank would both try their luck from range just before the break, however the flew wide and over respectively.

Brown was again called into action early in the second half, making a magnificent low save when a cross was deflected goalwards by his own defender.

As the half progressed, chances would continue to fall for young winger Brooksbank, initially getting one on one with Brown who stood up big to make the save.

His second effort saw him cut in from the right wing before bending a low shot wide of the post.

With 81 minutes gone, Hancock went in two footed on Phillip Milsom, leaving the referee with little choice but to send The Cobbydaler’s skipper off.

The sending off wouldn’t stop the hosts pushing forward however, attacking fullback Alex Stewart was a coat of paint from levelling the scores, running at his man before smashing a low drive of the post.

Just a minute later, Stewart would go close again, curling his effort wide with what would prove to be the last chance of the game.

A disappointing result for Silsden who make it two losses in a week, they’ll look to make amends on Tuesday night when they take on Yorkshire Amateur in another league fixture.