Match Details

Winterton Rangers 3-1 Silsden AFC

NCEL Premier Division

Wednesday 31st August

MKM Stadium

Match Report

Silsden were beaten 3-1 by a strong Winterton Rangers side at the MKM Stadium last night.

Although there were plenty of chances for both sides, the hosts would show a ruthless touch. Goals from Paul Grimes and Josh Walker giving the hosts a 2-0 lead before Lamin Janneh pulled one back for the Cobbydaler’s.

With Sils pushing for an equaliser, Winterton would hit them on the break, adding a third goal to put the game to bed in the second half.

Having made the almost 80 mile trip to the MKM Stadium, the Silsden players were keen to get off to a good start, Talent Ndlovu seeing his shot from range fly over just four minutes in.

Rangers broke the deadlock just 10 minutes later, Walker’s lobbed through pass picking out midfielder Grimes who fired a low finish beyond Paul Day.

The visitors came back fighting however and would almost level things up when winger Arale Mohamed’s cross narrowly evaded the head of Janneh who was lurking in the 6-yard box.

On 21 minutes, the Lincolnshire outfit would double their lead through Walker. He found space in the box and curled a low effort into the corner.

Janneh would pull one back for Sils soon after, a perfectly weighted through ball from Brad Riley allowed the striker one-on-one with Nathan Popple and he delicately lifted the ball beyond the onrushing keeper.

The second half was a continuation of the end-to-end action seen in the first. First, Mohamed’s stinging drive was brilliantly diverted wide by Popple before the hosts went up the other end and hit the post with an effort from Walker.

Mohamed would have another chance just moments later, Ndlovu’s whipped cross flying towards him at the back post, the winger just unable to reach it with an outstretched leg.

Despite the opportunities, Rangers would seal the three points with a second goal from Walker. The tall striker racing in behind before slotting home to make it 3-1.

Whilst late chances would fall to both sides, with Arley Barnes shooting over from inside the box before Winterton’s unmarked winger missed a glaring late opportunity; the score would remain 3-1.

Plenty of positives to take despite the defeat against a good side. Although the result sees Silsden slip down to 10th, a home fixture against Knaresborough this Saturday gives the lads a chance to bounce back.

Match Details

Silsden AFC 5-0 Garstang FC

FA Vase First Qualifying Round

Saturday 27th August

The Office Interiors Stadium – Att: 105

Match Report

A highly impressive Silsden cruised to 5-0 win against Garstang in the FA Vase yesterday, with summer signing Lamin Janneh Gitteh hitting a debut hat-trick.

Janneh Gitteh, only in the starting 11 after an injury to Josi Bradshaw in the warmup, bagged Sils first three goals, before fullback Alex Stewart and winger Arale Mohamed opened their accounts for their new club; Talent Ndlovu also grabbing a hat-trick of assists.

The Cobbydaler’s controlled the action for the most part, and although the visitors created a few chances, stand-in keeper Paul Day and his defence stood firm to hold onto their clean sheet.

Striker Janneh Gitteh got the hosts off to the best possible start. After only four minutes he picked up the ball on the halfway line and used his pace to beat two men before slotting a cool finish into the bottom corner.

Sils would be denied a second soon after with a brilliant stop from Kitchen in the Garstang goal denying Ndlovu from 6-yards.

For the remainder of the half, both sides mostly shot from range, Day being called into action to tip a speculative 30-yard drive over his cross bar on 30 minutes.

The second half would start in identical fashion to the first. Luke Brooksbank ran in behind and his fierce strike was parried into the path of Janneh Gitteh who rifled the ball through a crowd of bodies and into the net. A real poachers finish from the new man.

He would add his and The Cobbydaler’s 3rd goal just three minutes later, finding space on the edge of the penalty area, turning and firing a rocket strike into the top left corner.

Stewart would be next on the score sheet, making a marauding run from left back before being picked out by Ndlovu. The youngster nipped in ahead of the keeper to poke home a first in Sils colours.

A corner routine straight from the training ground would provide the fifth goal. Talent’s cross was dummied by Arley Barnes allowing Mohamed to smash home beyond Kitchen.

A fantastic result and performance from the Yorkshire side, who progress to the second qualifying round of the FA Vase. They make the trip to face Harrogate Railway on the 24th September.

Next up is a midweek trip to Winterton on Wednesday as they look to continue their decent start to the NCEL season.

Match Details

Silsden AFC 2-2 Hemsworth MWFC

NCEL Premier Division

Tuesday 23rd August

The Office Interiors Stadium

Match Report

Silsden and Hemsworth played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at The Office Interiors Stadium last night with a last-gasp Jos Bradshaw equaliser ensuring the points were shared.

Despite a slow start to the first half, finding themselves 1-0 down after just two minutes, The Cobbydaler’s flew out the traps after the break, levelling the scores through Arley Barnes.

Although the visitors would retake the lead with a delightful, lobbed finish midway through the half; Bradshaw’s late header earned the home side a hard-fought point.

Within two minutes, Silsden would find themselves behind. Well’s winger Nash Connelly drilled in a low cross from the right and centre back Barnes deflected the ball beyond his own keeper for the opener.

Hemsworth would keep up the pressure throughout the first half, Jason Davies seeing an effort fly just wide of the left-hand post.

New Cobbydaler’s keeper Lewis Haley would also be called into action on numerous occasions, first punching a wayward cross over his bar before then making a superb reaction stop with his feet to deny Connelly.

With the score just 1-0 at the break, the hosts got off to a brilliant start in the second half. On 47 minutes, a Talent Ndlovu corner was headed down by Bradshaw into the path of Barnes. The defender made no mistake in atoning for his earlier own goal, burying the ball in the bottom corner.

The Wells were quickly back on the front foot however, Connelly again causing problems with his well-timed runs in behind. One of these runs found him 1-on-1 with Haley but the young shot-stopper stood his ground and did well to deny the winger.

Hemsworth’s lead would soon be restored however. A freekick found Harry Viggars unmarked and his downward header was looped in by a quick-thinking Charlie Barks, much to the delight of the travelling support.

With the game heading towards it’s final moments, Silsden brought on Finn Donovan and Arale Mohamed to provide some fresh legs on the right hand side.

It would be these changes proving instrumental, as the visitors looked to hold the ball in the corner, The Cobbydaler’s stole the ball, with Donovan finding Mohamed on the right wing.

The former Athletico man had acres of space to run into, using his blistering pace to get to the byline and deliver a pin-point cross onto the head of Bradshaw in the six-yard box. The striker notching his first goal of the campaign and levelling the score at 2-2 with essentially the final touch of the game.

While The Wells will be disappointed they couldn’t see out the game, the result sees Silsden move up to 6th in the table, picking up seven points from their opening four games.

There’s another home game for The Cobbydaler’s this weekend, as they take on Garstang FC in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase.

Match Details

Frickley Athletic 2-3 Silsden AFC

NCEL Premier Division

Tuesday 16th August

Westfield Lane

Match Report

On Tuesday night, an action-packed encounter saw Silsden complete a mesmerising comeback to run out 3-2 winners against Frickley thanks to a late Luke Brooksbank double.

Although The Cobbydaler’s found themselves behind early in the first half, Harry Thompson quickly levelled the tie. But two penalties later, one missed and one scored, they went into the break 2-1 down.

Despite Frickley having the majority of the chances, two clinical Brooksbank finishes late in the day secured a snatch-and-grab victory for the visitors.

With Matt Cavanagh away for this one, It was up to Luke Lavery and the coaching staff to prepare for what looked set to be a difficult midweek away trip.

Things didn’t get off to the best of starts when on 15 minutes a slip from Harry Parsons gifted the hosts with a guilt edge opportunity to open the scoring; Keelon Grist the lucky recipient and he made no mistake to put Athletic 1-0 up.

The lead would last just ten minutes however, with winger Brad Riley muscling his way past two defenders before unselfishly pulling the ball back to captain Thompson. His low finish snuck through a crowd of legs and nestled in the bottom right corner.

With the game back level, both sides looked for the next goal. Keepers George Clarke first sprang across his goal to prevent a long range effort sneaking in, before Charlie Preston had his palms stung by a strike from Riley.

Frickley fans must have thought they’d scored when a clearance from 17 year-old Jacob Smith ricocheted of Lee Bennett and towards goal; Clarke again did well to back-pedal and tip the ball out for a corner however.

Then came the first of two contentious spot-kicks, a late challenge from Smith was initially judged to have taken place outside of the Sils penalty area. The linesman disagreed however and encouraged the referee to change his decision. Alhassane Keita stepped up and sent the ball into orbit.

Silsden might have felt that justice had prevailed, that was until two minutes later when a second penalty was given, this time against Parsons. Ben Hall made no mistake from 12-yards, rolling the ball into the bottom left corner.

After the halftime interval, Frickley looked to add to their advantage. The Sils defence being forced to make a number of blocks, with the hosts also spurning a good headed chance over the bar.

Despite not looking dangerous for much of the second half, The Cobbydaler’s would spring into life late on. Quick thinking from Parsons saw his throw in drop at the feet of Brooksbank on the left hand side of the box. The young winger made no mistake with a ruthless low finish beyond Preston to level the game at 2-2.

Looking to restore their lead, Athletic pressed forward and were a whisker of paint away from snatching a winner, initially hitting the bar before volleying the follow-up wide.

From the resulting goal kick, the ball was played long and into the path of Brooksbank once again. The former Oxenhope man produced a near identical finish to his first, completing a hard-fought comeback and securing the three points for the travelling side.

The 3-2 win sees The Cobbydaler’s climb the NCEL Premier Division table to 6th, with two wins from their opening three league fixtures. It’s back on the FA Cup trail this weekend however, with Charnock Richard the latest visitors to The Office Interiors Stadium.

 

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.