NCEL Premier Division 2021-2022

Saturday, August 14th 2021.

BOTTESFORD TOWN 0-1 SILSDEN AFC

Silsden Goalscorer: Jagger 42.

Attendance: 69

 

COBBYDALERS ARE ON THE MOVE

A wave of relief washed over the Cobbydalers players, management and
fans at the end of this hard-fought away game at Bottesford as the Silsden
outfit gained their first victory of the season. It had been a
the competitive game which either side could have won, but the tenacity of
the Cobbydalers prevailed.

Manager Danny Forrest switched from a back three to a more secure back-four where centre-backs Shaun Airey and Arley Barnes were outstanding. The switch also freed up Kyle Hancock and Joe Mitchell to be more assertive in the middle of the park.

The “Poachers” were quickly out of the blocks but a four-man break ended with Jack Cross shooting wide.  Silsden’s first attack ended with
Khurram Shazad’s shot is being parried by Jordan Quibell. Matty Moses managed to break up another attack at the expense of a corner which was swung in, only for captain Mick Jones to head over the bar.

The home side, who had won their opening two games, were moving the ball about swiftly but gradually Silsden began to create some chances. Jack McEneaney slid the ball down the left to Mo Qasim who played a one-two with Shazad. Quibell saved the winger’s shot. Qasim had another effort saved midway through the half after good work by Joe
Jagger. What was pleasing for the manager was the commitment of the forwards to track back when the Bottesford forwards advanced on the
Silsden goal. They played a more assured and creative game and at a
faster pace.

McEneaney broke up the left and crossed into the goal area. Ryan Farnham cleared at the expense of a corner. Skipper Barnes was superb at the back for the Reds, breaking up the threat of the Poachers’ forwards whilst interplay between the Silsden forwards was excellent. Shazad and
Bradley Riley set up a chance for Hancock, who saw his low drive saved.

With ten minutes to the break, the Cobbydalers created several chances.
The Silsden forwards were moving the ball swiftly but, whenever they lost possession, they worked hard to deny the home side time and space.
Hancock sped up the left to by by-line before crossing into the box. The midfielder was back to his best, whether bursting forwards or spreading the play. Finally, the Cobbydalers took the lead when JAGGER beat the
Poachers keeper with a low drive.

Harry Parsons came on for Matty Moses at halftime after the full-back
was injured. He slotted in well. With Joe Mitchell busy breaking up attacks, the Silsden forwards were able to attack in numbers, moving the ball swiftly. The interplay between Khurram, Jagger and Qasim seemed as though they had played together for more than three games.

There was always an expectation that the home side would have to push forwards and they certainly played with much more urgency in an attempt to equalise, putting more pressure on all over the field.  Substitute
Ryan Moody for Bottesford broke through on Sammy Lee. The Silsden keeper parried his shot and Barnes cleared the ball. The Silsden keeper then denied Mick Jones after the Bottesford skipper had latched on to an under-hit back pass by Mitchell. Airey cleared an effort from substitute
Jordan Spence’s effort, as the ball was swung over the back post.

Four minutes from time Silsden almost made it two! Thomson hit a
a superb ball across to Jagger, who deceived his marker by letting the
ball advance to Qasim, whose wicked volley rattled the crossbar.

In the dying minutes, with the home side pushing for an equaliser,
Airey was immense in the air heading three dangerous crosses clear
before the final whistle went.

The three points pushed Silsden up the league table but more than that it gave them a boost. On Tuesday they are at home to Barton Town and away at Penistone Church on Saturday.

BOTTESFORD TOWN: Quibell, Farnham, Webster (Atkin 62), McCaffery, King,
Bryant, Johnson (Moody 56), Braithwaite, Jones, Ellender, Cross.  Subs.
Not used, Tierney, Spenser,  McCarthy.

SILSDEN AFC: Lee, Moses (Parsons 45), McEneaney (Gardner 83), Hancock,
Airey, Barnes, Qasim, Mitchell, Jagger, Shazad, Riley (Thompson 78).
Subs not used. Billington, Drovi.

Referee: Mr C.Everard | Assistants: Mr W.Norris and Mr S.Kellor.

The Toolstation NCEL Premier Division 2021-2022

Tuesday, 10th August 2021

SILSDEN AFC 0  v 3 THACKLEY AFC

Attendance: 218

 

The Cobbydalers entertained Thackley for their first home league game of the new season. Unfortunately, in the third minute, Shaun Airey was injured when clearing Haigh’s cross into the Silsden box. Airey managed to continue but it was obvious he wasn’t fully recovered. Minutes later the visitors were soon on the attack but Sammy Lee managed to save Paul Whiteley’s low shot. Jake McEneaney blocked another effort on seven minutes from Ben Grech-Brooksbank.

Silsden were playing with a back three, with two wing-backs but might have been better with a flat back four, especially after Airey’s early knock. As it was, the visitors almost opened the scoring on twelve minutes when Grech-Brooksbank got the better of Lee but McEneaney cleared off the goal line.

Gradually Silsden began to create some chances with Matty Moses breaking up the right. He hit a superb cross into Thackley’s penalty area to Joe Jagger who, unfortunately, had strayed offside. Kyle Hancock then threaded a ball to Lewis Gardner but the Thackley keeper managed to beat him to the ball. On seventeen minutes Mo Qasim broke up the left but was upended by former Cobbydaler, Kristian Hargreaves. Khurram Shazad curled the ball into the visitor’s box but Hargreaves headed it clear. The ball was swiftly moved up the park, Lee dropped the initial shot and Chris LEVER slotted it home for Thackley on fifteen minutes.

            The Cobbydalers’ response was quick with Gardner exchanging passes with Qasim.  Gardner’s shot was blocked before Silsden were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, Shazad’s free-kick being saved by the keeper. Silsden continued to press with good interplay between Jagger and Qasim before Shazad’s shot was headed clear. Qasim then broke down the left and sent Shazad forwards but he delayed slightly and his curling shot went wide of the far post.

            The game then swung from end to end, although Thackley remained dominant. Waddington shot over the Silsden bar before Lee saved a low shot. Moses broke up the right feeding Jagger whose low effort was saved at the near post. At the other end, Airey was put under pressure by Lever. He managed to pass the ball back to Lee who was lucky his miss-kick didn’t fall to a Thackley player.

Moses was playing as a wing-back and, latching onto a through ball from Hancock, volleyed wide. But, with a back three, Silsden was stretched. They still created chances with Gardner setting up Jagger but his shot was just off target. Immediately the visitors broke away and Lever rattled the Silsden crossbar.

At the other end, McEneaney was dispossessed. Grech-Brooksbank broke to the by-line and crossed for WADDINGTON to tap it home. 2-0.

Five minutes into the second half, the game was virtually over. Owen MURPHY broke between Airey and McEneaney on the halfway line and outpaced the defenders to make it three to the visitors. Immediately McEneaney was beaten for pace again but Airey cleared up.

            Ten minutes into the half Thompson threaded a ball through the Thackley defence, only for Gardner to fire the ball over the bar. In sixty minutes Bradley Riley and Craig Billington replaced McEneaney and Airey. Barnes took over at the back and Moses dropped into his regular spot at right-back. Gardner pulled back too. Immediately the defence looked more secure. Qasim broke down the wing and crossed. Billington’s downward header bounced over the bar. Moses then curled over a glorious cross which Qasim headed over. Silsden looked a bit more lively in the last quarter of the game with a lot of good interplays, particularly between Barnes and Moses and between Hancock and Mitchell, serving good balls to Qasim and Jagger. They played with more speed and accuracy, but they needed to be more clinical in front of the goal.

The dilemma for Danny Forrest now is to get the balance right between attack and defence. The defence looks rather fragile at the moment with a back three and wing-backs. Moses looked good in both positions and Barnes was excellent at the back but a back four would give more stability to the team and protection for the keeper. Sadly, the manager is without Kaine for the season and Everingham for a month or two. Hopefully, Dan Illingworth will be fit sooner rather than later. On the other end, the forwards need to be sharper and more accurate when moving towards the goal.

            On Saturday the Cobbydalers travel to Bottesford Town before entertaining Barton Town at home on Tuesday 17 August.

SILSDEN AFC.  Lee, Moses, McEneaney (Billington 60), Hancock, Airey (Riley 60), Barnes(c), Qasim, Thompson (Mitchell 71), Jagger, Shazad, Garner. Subs not used. Drovi, Gartland.

THACKLEY AFC. Stevens-Neale, Haigh, Hunter, Whiteley, Hargreaves, Rothel, Waddington (King 75), Jones (Jackson 62), Lever, Grech-Brooksbank (Muller 67), Murphy. Subs not used. Khan, King.

Referee: Mr M.Trevethan | Assistants: Mr S.Bragg and Mr J.Barker.  

The Emirates FA Cup 2021-2022 – Extra Preliminary Round
Saturday, 7th August 2021
SILSDEN AFC 0 V 4 ECCLESHILL UNITED

Attendance: 192

 

The Cobbydalers entertained local rivals Eccleshill United in this seasons FA Cup (Extra Preliminary Round), having beaten the visitors 3-1 at the same stage last season. The visitors started confidently, keeping possession, before driving a long ball out of play. On two minutes Lewis Gardner managed to get across in from the by-line but United’s keeper, Brad Emmerson, gathered Khurram Shazad’s low shot.

United broke forwards but Luke Aldridge had strayed marginally offside. Joe Jagger latched onto a weak back-pass but the visitors’ keeper managed to gather the ball at the forward’s feet.  Mohammad Qasim then weaved his way past three defenders but was denied by Emmerson. Arley Barnes hit a long ball to Lewis Gardner but Ben Bodle managed to head it back for a corner.

Silsden, who was playing with a back-three, were then indebted to Barnes, who denied the visitors a clear opening. Eccleshill were beginning to take control of the midfield and only a magnificent save by Sammy Lee stopped them from taking the lead on thirteen minutes. The Cobbydalers response was another effort from Qasim but his shot was wide of the target. Silsden began to move the ball quickly but their next three attacks were halted by the assistant’s flag for offside. Jagger, who had been instrumental in all three, then cut in from the left. Managing to beat the United’s keeper, his shot was deflected for a corner.

Eccleshill dominated the next ten minutes, with Lee forced to make a low save from Zackary Sangster who, along with Emmerson Cox, were stretching the home defence. Thanks to the dependable Barnes, Airey and Lee, the Cobbydalers managed to deny the visitors the lead.  At the other end, Qasim and Jagger were Silsden’s best outlets, the former making a powerful run down the right, before being fouled and then having a shot blocked after some neat footwork by Jagger, who himself was denied by Emmerson.
The second half began with Silsden on the offensive. Shazad’s incisive pass found Jagger who netted the opener…..unfortunately the goal was ruled out for offside. Gradually the visitors took control of the game. Again Barnes and Airey came to the rescue to block efforts on target and Qasim went close to scoring before Emmerson saved from Jagger.

Finally, the deadlock was broken. United managed to break up the right but Silsden cleared at the expense of a corner. The ball was swung in but the unsighted Barnes headed into his own net. Khurram then set up another half-chance at the other end which was eventually cleared. On sixty-three minutes Dylan Drovi came on for Mitchell and Matty Moses replaced Harry Parsons, who had made a solid start to the season. Moses, who has been sidelined with injuries for two years, received rapturous applause from the Cobbydalers fans. Immediately Silsden gave the ball away cheaply in midfield and SANGSTER headed after the ball had hit the Silsden crossbar.

The visitors continued to pressurise and, from another corner, Sam Auty headed to ALDRICH who nodded it home with fifteen minutes left. Three-nil. Silsden was visibly tired, with the midfield unable to feed the forwards, whilst the Blues had bundles of energy. On eighty–seven minutes a through ball was unfortunately deflected by Moses and CISSA netted a fourth. Eccleshill had been tight, well-organised, fast and skilful and deserving of the victory. Cobbydaler’s manager Danny Forrest wasn’t best pleased with the Cobbydalers performance but there were some positives from the game; the return of Moses and the promise of Lewis Gardner. Qasim was inventive and Jagger was always a threat. Bradley Riley’s distribution was sound and Airey, Barnes and Parson’s were dependable. More must be expected from the experienced Mitchell and Hancock.

 

The Cobbydalers entertain Thackley on Tuesday and travel to Bottesford on Saturday 14th August.

SILSDEN AFC: Lee, Barnes, Parsons (Moses 63), Hancock, Airey, Mitchell, Qasim, Riley (Drovi 63), Jagger (Billington64), Shazad, Gardener. Subs not used. McEneany, Thompson, Gartland.

ECCLESHILL UNITED: Emmerson, Bleau, Bodle, Wade, Bradley, Laird, Cox, Day, Aldridge (Sykes 88), Carr (Cissa 34), Sangster(Auty 65), Subs not used. Aliya, Irvine, Cusack, Wilkinson.

Referee: Mr G.Greaves | Assistants: Mr F.Skootas and Mr J.Farnsworth.

The Toolstation NCEL Premier Division 2021-2022

Saturday, July 31^st 2021

HANDSWORTH FC  4  v  2  SILSDEN AFC

Silsden AFC Goalscorers: Normanton 59, Jagger 79 (pen).

Attendance: 162     

         After a disrupted period in the football calendar everyone hopes that the 2021-22 season will go ahead without any cancellations. The Cobbydalers travelled to Oliver’s Mount in Sheffield for their opening game against Handsworth. Unfortunately, a positive Covid test on Sammy Lee resulted in Danny Forrest having to bring in Hagie Damba, just recently signed. The Cobbydalers were still without several players through injury so the team was a mixture of old and new.

         The artificial surface at the Express Worktops Stadium did give the Ambers an advantage and they were soon on the attack. A free-kick on five minutes was blocked by the Silsden defensive wall and then a corner was cleared.

         A break forward by Silsden’s Joe Jagger was halted and the Ambers moved the ball quickly to Leon Howarth who was denied by Damba. Silsden’s first threat came when Harry Parson sent Khurram Shazad away down the left. His superb diagonal cross was cleared for a corner which was headed goalwards by Jagger. The home keeper saved and launched the ball forwards.  On twenty minutes the Silsden keeper brought down a Handsworth forward in the area and Mitch DUNNE netted from the penalty spot. Arley Barnes blocked another effort.

         Eventually, the Cobbydalers settled with Joe Jagger flicking Jack Normanton’s cross just over the bar. Bradley Riley then cut across the box but he was crowded out.   Riley then fed Hancock but his shot lacked venom.

         Midway through the half, Handsworth’s  Howarth cut across the penalty box but shot wide from a promising position…a let-off for the Cobbydalers. At the other end, Jagger broke through to the edge of the Ambers’ area. He was upended by left-back Richard Toothill.  Penalty or free-kick on the edge of the area? The latter! Normanton’s low shot was agonisingly wide.

         Handsworth broke forwards and Jagger rose above the defence to head goalwards.  Damba tipped it over the bar and then punched the resulting corner clear. Silsden were holding their own although, with so many new players in the team, there were some misunderstandings. However, on 36 minutes Handsworth’s skipper Tom ROEBUCK headed home a corner. Two minutes later the Silsden keeper managed to flick the scorer’s next effort over the bar.

         With five minutes of the half left the Cobbydalers began to enjoy some possession. Mohammed Qasim broke down the right and crossed to Jagger. His shot was flicked over by Townsend. Again the winger broke down the flank but this time his cross was just behind Jagger who managed to get a shot on target but without the power to beat the home keeper. Khurram Shazad then hit a shot over the bar before Handsworth broke forwards but Dunne’s shot was well saved by the Silsden keeper.

         The half-time team talk looked to have worked well as the Cobbydalers began the half on the front foot. Qasim came into his own this half and immediately tested the home keeper with slick build-up play. Then Bradley Riley had a  cross cleared after he had been heavily challenged by Ethan Hobson, who was fortunate not to be cautioned at the least.  Jack Normanton then whipped in the free kick which Airey just failed to reach. Normanton was then harshly dismissed for an accidental collision with the keeper.  Immediately the home side broke away and HOWARTH netted a third. Dyllan Drovi came on for Mitchell.

         The Cobbydalers were awarded a penalty with ten minutes to go. Joe JAGGER slotted it home  3-2!. The ten men of Silsden pushed forward, with Qasim causing panic in the home defence. Damba made two superb saves at the other end and Barnes blocked another effort as Silsden were stretched. Drovi rounded Handsworth’s left-back, got to the bye-line and cut the ball back inside. Handsworth managed to clear. A minute later there was the superb link-up play which saw Qasim round Hobson, on the edge of the area. Jagger was looking for a  through-ball to give him a one-on-one with the keeper, but the ball was fractionally behind him. The shot was blocked and the home side broke away and netted a fourth out of nothing, DUNNE being the scorer.

Manager, Danny Forrest`s views after the game, “I was pleased with the second-half performance where we showed fight and played good football, but you can’t start the way we did at this level. We gave ourselves too much to do”

 

Next Saturday the Cobbydalers entertain Eccleshill in the FA CUP extra-preliminary round.

HANDSWORTH FC: Townsend, Bell, Tootle (Eagle 64), Harrison, Hobson, Roebuck, Teasdale (Nyarko), Baldwin (Gascoigne 70), Howarth, Dunne, Oliver.

SILSDEN AFC: Damba, Barnes, Parsons, Hancock, Airey, Mitchell (Drovi 73), Qasim, Riley (Thompson 67), Jagger, Shazad, Normanton, Gardner.

Silsden AFC kick off the NCEL season with a trip to Sheffield as we take on Handsworth FC (3pm kick off).

 

NCEL Premier Division (Fixtures – 31/07/21)

Albion Sports vs Grimsby Borough

Barton Town vs Knaresborough Town

Bottesford Town vs Hemsworth MW

Eccleshill United vs Penistone Church

Garforth Town vs Maltby Main

Sherwood Colliery vs Athersley Rec

Staveley MW vs AFC Mansfield

Thackley vs Goole AFC

Winterton Rangers vs Emley AFC

* All games kick off at 3pm.

 

We will bring you a round-up of the weekend’s games early next week.

Silsden AFC can now publish our retained list ahead of the 2021/22 season.

The following players from last season’s squad will remain at Silsden AFC as part of Danny Forrest’s squad for the upcoming campaign.

Those players are:

• Matty Moses
• Connor Thompson
• Josh Kaine
• Dan Illingworth
• Shaun Airey
• Arley Barnes
• Joe Mitchell
• Chris Wademan
• Mark Everingham
• Mark Simpson
• Liam Hudson
• Craig Billington
• Harry Thompson
• Carlton Pownall
• Harry Parsons
• Paul Day

We are delighted to welcome Matty Moses back in to the fold after almost 24 months out with a serious knee injury.

It is anticipated that Mark Everingham will be out for a further 6-8 weeks after ankle surgery. Liam Hudson also faces around 6 weeks on the sidelines after a procedure on his knee. After dislocating his shoulder in training recently, Dan Illingworth is also working towards a comeback in around 4 weeks. Connor Thompson has entered the latter part of his rehab programme after suffering a double leg fracture 12 months ago.

Unfortunately Captain Josh Kaine and Carlton Pownall will have an extended spell on the sidelines due to long term leg and achilles injuries respectively.

The club would like to place on record our thanks to all players who represented the club during the 2020/21 season and have since moved on.

Silsden AFC Ladies are recruiting!

Our Ladies section is recruiting ahead of the 2021/22 season. Silsden AFC Ladies compete in the Premier Division of the West Riding County Womens Football League. Training is on Wednesday evenings with matches on Sundays, all home games are played at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium.

All enquiries please contact – recruitment@silsdenafcjuniors.co.uk or call Liam Marsh on 07767 630851..

Up The Sils!

Silsden AFC Juniors are recruiting!

Following on from another successful season our Junior teams are recruiting ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Our U16/U18 squad are looking for players ahead of the new season with the prospect of playing in the FA Youth Cup. Please email recruitment@silsdenafcjuniors.co.uk or call James on 07538 418992 to discuss further.

The U17 Girls are looking to expand their successful team for the new season. All enquiries please contact – recruitment@silsdenafcjuniors.co.uk or call Liam on 07939 505509.

The U11’s are also looking for new players to join their friendly squad ahead of the new season. All enquiries please contact – recruitment@silsdenafcjuniors.co.uk

Our U9’s are looking to expand ahead of next season, if your child is currently in year 4 and is interested in football then please email – recruitment@silsdenafcjuniors.co.uk

Up The Sils!

Silsden AFC vs Prestwich Heys

This Saturday (3rd July) we welcome Prestwich Heys to the Cobbydale Construction Stadium for our opening pre-season friendly. Come on down and see the Sils in action as we kick-off pre-season against our friends from Manchester.

Prices are: £4 for adults, £2 for concessions, free for U5’s.

Kick-off: 3pm

* Season ticket holders from the 2020/21 season will receive free entry on showing their season ticket.

 

 

Silsden AFC Pre Season Friendlies Announced

Following on from the return to pre-season training the club has been working hard behind the scenes to arrange an exciting schedule of pre-season friendlies. Full details are below, please note these are subject to change.

• Prestwich Heys (H), Saturday 3rd July 2021, 3pm kick off
• Ilkley Town (H), Tuesday 6th July 2021, 7:45pm kick off
• Bradford Park Avenue (H), Saturday 10th July 2021, 3pm kick off
• Ramsbottom United (H), Tuesday 13th July 2021, 7:45pm kick off
• Steeton AFC (A), Saturday 17th July 2021, 3pm kick off
• Charnock Richard (A), Tuesday 20th July 2021, 7:45pm kick off
• Campion AFC (A), Friday 23rd July 2021, 7:45pm kick off