It’s been a mixed season for Josh Mckiernon so far, showing some strong early season form including a significant contribution on the first day of the season in a gutsy 2-1 win away at Penistone Church . A persistant knee injury then forced him on to the side lines for over three months. Josh reminded everyone of his abilities with a brilliant cameo in our 1-0 victory over Handsworth earlier this month. Here’s what he has to say on his fellow players…….

Best Mate: Myles Foley – Myles has been my best mate for years in and out of football. We’ve always been at the same club; Guiseley, Albion Sports and now Silsden AFC.

Joker: Chris Wademan – He’s always making jokes, annoying people and making people laugh. He doesn’t shut up!

Teacher’s Pet: Dan Illingworth – He’s always trying to impress and do stuff for Danny, taking charge of warm ups, gym sessions etc. He even offers yoga sessions to the players before training and brings stuff like bananas and juice on game days.

Hardest Worker: Connor Thompson – Connor was close to getting teacher’s pet, whenever you want to find Connor just go to Danny and you’ll find him there following him around but at the same time he works hard on and off the pitch.

Most Skilful: Khurram Shazad – His feet are just too quick and he loves a ball roll too! Can beat anyone on his day.

Best Dancer: Ben Higginson – Ginner has told me about his younger days and his partying. I reckon he can bust a few moves, we’ll be able to see at the end of season do if we ever get one!

Future Gaffer: Mark Everingham – He’s always very focussed and serious when it comes to football. He motivates and helps people out, he’s very professional which would help make him a good manager in future.

Toughest: Me – I just can’t see anyone beating me. I reckon a few lads would fancy their chances for this, especially Liam Hudson and Myles Foley but they’ve got no chance.

Worst Dress Sense: Byron Whalley – This was a tough one but it’s got to be our media man Byron, shocking clobber.

The club have appointed Jacob Mistry as a coach for the U23 team who compete in the West Riding County FA Development League.

Jacob, 22, is currently studying for a Sports Coaching Degree at Liverpool University and has experience of coaching the men’s team at Liverpool Uni, and more recently enjoying success with Liverpool John Moore’s Women’s team sealing an unbeaten BUCS League and BUCS Northern Conference Cup double.

On his return from University in April, Jacob will take up a leading role working alongside current coach Russell Waite.

First Team Manager Danny Forrest is delighted at the appointment of Jacob and had this to say;

“We have taken our time to get the right person in to enhance and support what we already have in place for the U23 set up.

Jacob is a young and hungry coach and brings plenty of different qualities which will help our young players moving forward. He has a strong work ethic, is thorough and organised in his work and enjoys the tactical side of the game. Most of all he enjoys developing players and I know the group we have now will really benefit and blossom through his work.

It’s great to have like minded people on board and I’m looking forward to working closely with Jacob as part of a tight knit group of staff. After spending time meeting and speaking to Jacob it’s clear we share the same values and same vision for the club. I’m proud that we, as a club, put faith in young people on and off the pitch and the future certainly looks bright.”

Jacob was introduced to the squad last week, and you can see his first interview below.

Any young players wanting to be part of our U23 set up can contact silsdenafc@gmail.com – please include information on your previous playing experience.

The Toolstation Northern Counties East F. L. Premier Division 2019-2020

Saturday 29^th February 2020

BRIDLINGTON TOWN FC 2 v 2 SILSDEN AFC                

McFadyen 65(pen) Waudby 86.                  Taylor 34(pen) Sorhaindo 80.

Att. 200

     KAINE SUPREME AS COBBYDLERS HOLD THE SEASIDERS

         Following Wednesday’s victory at League leaders Staveley, the Cobbydalers travelled to fourth placed Bridlington. This was one of only three games in the NECFL Premier Division due to the weather. The pitch was fine and many of the Cobbydalers fans had travelled to the Costa del Yorkshire for the game.

         The Seasiders played with a strong wind behind them in the first half but whether this was an advantage or not was questionable as several through balls and goal efforts caught on the wind.

         Silsden were the first to create an opportunity, Myles Foley driving the ball up the right where Jake Taylor headed for goal but his shot was just off target. James Hitchcock, the Seasiders keeper, denied Taylor another chance, running out of his area to clear a through ball.

         Eventually Bridlington settled, Tom Waudby having one effort blocked by Josh Kaine for a corner before heading over a cross from the left. Brid continued to push forwards and it was Kaine twice more who blocked low shots.

         The best chance came on seventeen minutes when Billy Logan headed goalwards but only into the safe hands of Ben Higginson. Silsden were struggling to get anywhere near the slick interplay seen at Staveley and, had Lewis Dennison got any contact on a superb cross from Lewis Taylor, they would have opened their account midway through the half.

         Minutes later Myles Foley blocked a shot from Tom Waudby. Silsden did create a half chance, Kaine driving the ball through the home defence for Sorhaindo to run onto. Once again Hitchcock won the chase to launch the ball up the field where Joe Mitchell broke up an attack down the right.

         Finally, ten minutes before the break, Khurram Shazad found enough space to slip the ball through into the penalty area where Sorhaindo was tripped by the Brid keeper. TAYLOR took the spot kick which hit the back of the net despite Hitchcock getting a hand on it.

         If the Cobbydalers as a unit were struggling to create many openings the skipper was superb. In a five minute spell Kaine twice blocked shots from Billy Logan at the expense of two corners and one effort from McFadyen. Waudby broke through from a throw in on the right before the skipper intervened again!

         The resulting corner was swung over but Illingworth headed clear. A superb through ball put McFadyen clear but he shot wide. The half time whistle went with the Cobbydalers a goal up! The home side had been very profligate, to say the least.

         The wind eased slightly in the second half and Silsden hoped to be able to gain more control but the game was quite scrappy. Barnes blocked a shot from Logan before Sorhaindo was fouled at the other end. The free-kick was wasted. Illingworth was on hand to deny the home-side a deserved equaliser before Sorhaindo, easily the Cobbydalers best outlet, was halted in the act of shooting. Mitchell’s low shot was saved and Foley’s shot, from the edge of the penalty area was just wide.

         Finally the equaliser came. Again it seemed the slightest of touches which brought the whistle but the home support saw the spot kick as justified. McFADYEN levelled the scores.

         With the efforts against the league leaders on Wednesday, a long journey home and a late night, followed by a similar journey on the Saturday morning, fatigue crept in on the Cobbydalers. Mitchell blocked a shot from McFadyen and Foley was fortunate in slicing another shot wide. Chris Jenkinson even tried an overhead kick which cleared the bar.

         Thankfully SORHAINDO still had the energy to latch onto a long ball to burst past Benn Lewis to strike home off the inside of the far post. With five minutes to go Illingworth conceded a free kick on the edge of the box. WAUDBY hit a screamer into the top corner.

         A draw looked on the cards but with the last kick of the game Sorhaindo hit a looping volley over the Brid keeper………………..it hit the crossbar!

         The Cobbydalers’ fans had enjoyed their day out at the seaside, many of whom had stayed on overnight, maybe to have a dip in the sea on Sunday morning!

         Next Saturday the Cobbydalers entertain Goole FC before travelling to Handsworth on Tuesday 10^th March.

BRIDLINGTON TOWN FC. Hitchcock, Dennison, Lewis(Waudby 57), Oliver, Jenkinson, Papprill, Taylor, Wauby, Logan, McFadyen. Adams(Broadley 56). Subs not used. Bulless, Hutchinson.

SILSDEN AFC. Higginson, Foley, Thompson, Kaine, Illingworth, Liam Hudson(Britton 88), Barnes, Mitchell, Shazad(Everingham 63), Sorhaindo Taylor (Wademan 74). Subs not used. Fox, McKiernon.

Referee. Mr. N. Howlett.   Assistants. Mr. T. Maher and Mr. M. Collins

The Toolstation Northern Counties East F. L. Premier Division 2019-2020

Wednesday, 26^th February 2020

STAVELEY MWFC 1 v 3 SILSDEN AFC 

Burke 68                  Shazad 28, 74, Sorhaindo 32.

Att. 132.                                 

COBBYDALERS STUN THE LEAGUE LEADERS

          The Cobbydalers travelled to table-topping Staveley on Wednesday with an unchanged side, following the last (pre-flooding) game, a draw at Yorkshire Amateurs. The “Trojans” lost their last game at Barton one-nil. They still top the table but with teams below them having games in hand, the title is still up for grabs.

          The Trojans were on the attack from the kick-off with leading-scorer Michael Burke crossing from the right. Josh Kaine managed to clear for a corner which was headed out by Dan Illingworth. The initial pressure was intense, Connor Thompson clearing up Staveley’s next sortie forwards.

          Silsden broke out of defence after five minutes but Myles Wright, in the Trojans’ goal, managed to save Jake Taylor’s shot, after the winger had cut across the Staveley penalty area. Illingworth was then forced to concede a corner which was cleared. The Trojans were forcing the play with long balls up the flanks but the Cobbydalers were tight at the back.

          In contrast Silsden were trying to move the ball swiftly on the floor. A foul on Lawrence Sorhaindo led to a free kick. Myles Wright managed to parry Khurram Shazad’s effort for a corner.  Back came Staveley, Doolan Robson’s pace creating space for him to get in a shot which was cleared, as was Burke’s follow-up.

          Gradually the Cobbydalers began to take some control with the forwards slick control and short passing creating chances. Sorhaindo and Taylor both had headers cleared before the two combined to release Shazad. Unfortunately his shot was wide. After Thomson had broken up another attack, Taylor set up Shazad again. He cut inside his marker but his effort was wide of the far post.

Again Burke was the main threat at the other end, flicking a cross just over the bar. Shazad and Taylor combined to open the path for Hudson, who burst through the defence but left the angle too tight to beat the keeper.

          Kaine was injured after Burke had set up another chance but the skipper recovered, encapsulating Silsden’s resolve, to deny both Robson and Froggatt. It looked certain that the latter would open the scoring but there was Mitchell, on the goal line, to block the shot.

          With the defence holding the league leaders at bay, Silsden gained in confidence. Sorhaindo hit a left-footer from twenty-five yards out which Wright parried, before Mitchell, on the half-way line, spotted the Trojan’s keeper off his line and hit a speculative volley, which was narrowly wide.

          The home crowd began became uneasy, urging their players to be more accurate but it was the Cobbydalers who took the lead with a superb goal. SHAZAD ran onto the defence-splitting pass from Sorhaindo.  Although tracked by a defender, he cut across the goal, dragged the ball back, cut inside and slid the ball home.

          Four minutes later the Cobbydalers made it two. Taylor and Shazad combined to open up the defence again and SORHAINDO capitalised on some confusion between Staveley’s goalkeeper and defenders to roll the ball in to an empty net. The Cobbydalers managed to withstand an onslaught from the Trojans, clearing three efforts before Shazad had a shot blocked at the other end and Luke Foley went close after a strong run from the back. Phew!

          With the wind in their favour, Staveley put pressure on the Cobbydalers defence from the restart. Kaine eventually cleared upfield where Taylor’s pace was posing a threat. Illingworth conceded a corner and Adam Lund rose above everyone else, but his header was wide.

          The Cobbydalers’ exchanges with the Trojan were like heavy-weights slugging it out, albeit with more finesse. Once again Mitchell, as the last line of defence, cleared up before Froggatt’s effort was comfortably saved by Higginson. Wright did just as well at the other end, saving Barnes’s shot. Minutes later he was at full stretch to parry Barnes’s screamer.

          Chances came at both ends. Kaine blocked one effort and Wright denied Taylor in a one-on-one situation.  On sixty-eight minutes BURKE pulled one back from a narrow angle. A minute later Burke fired over the bar as the pressure intensified.

          Superb defending from Connor denied an equaliser before Silsden broke away. Encapsulating all that was good, Taylor and Sorhaindo broke forwards to set up SHAZAD, to make it three. Burke did his best to rally the Trojans but the Cobbydalers were not to be denied.

          Kaine and Illingworth were superb at the back. Mitchell, the midfield dynamo, was outstanding and the touch, pace and inter-action of the front three was a joy to watch.  But in reality this was a fantastic team effort.

          On Saturday, Silsden travel to fourth-place Bridlington Town.

STAVELEY M. W.  Wright, Parkin, Dudley (Jones 61), Finlaw (Mundy 61), Emery, Lund, Lindley (Kay 86), Doolan,  Frogatt, Burke, Worral.        Subs. not used. Pugh, Claxton.

SILSDEN AFC. Higginson, Foley, Thompson, Kaine, Illingworth, Liam Hudson, Barnes, Mitchell, Sorhaindo (Wademan 82), Taylor (Britton 82). Subs not used. Everingham, Mckiernon, Fox.           

Referee. Mr. D. Constable.                                 Assistants.  Mr. D. Chambers and  Mr. M. Atherton. 

MATCH PREVIEW: The Cobbydalers travel to Staveley

The Cobbydalers are back in action this Wednesday evening as we take a trip
across to Derbyshire, to face Staveley Miners Welfare FC.

The Sils will be hoping to continue the fine form that they put together before the
weather conditions halted their progress. Here is everything you need to know ahead of
the encounter between the two sides.

LEAGUE POSITION AND FORM

The Cobbydalers currently sit 13th in the league table and have picked up 29 points (
W8 D5 L11)from their 24 games played. Staveley Miners Welfare FC currently sit at the
top of the NCEL Premier Division having picked up 52 points(W16 D4 L3) from their 23
games played, they also have a 3 point cushion to 2nd placed Penistone Church and
also 3 games in hand on them.
The home side come into this Wednesday’s encounter on the back of a 1-0 defeat at the
hands of 11th placed Barton Town, the goal came in the 37th minute through Matthew
Plummer and Staveley were unable to turn the game around. The Cobbydalers haven’t
tasted any action since their 1-1 draw against Yorkshire Amateurs which was almost 3
weeks ago, no doubt Manager Danny Forrest will be hoping for a similar performance
from his men, and travel back to West Yorkshire with all 3 points.
Staveley currently have the best defensive record in the league, in their 23 games
played they have conceded only 19 goals, on average they concede 0.83 goals per
game,where as the Cobbydalers have conceded 48 goals in their 24 games played and
on average concede 2.00 goals per game. Although the Sils are the second inform side
in the league after going 3 games unbeaten before the break in matches, to ensure they
come away from Derbyshire with something they will need to tighten up and be solid at
the back.

ONE TO WATCH

This week’s one to watch player for the opponents is Michael Burke. The Staveley
MWFC striker has notched 16 goals in 14 league and is currently 5th in the top scorers
chart, the striker clearly knows where the goal is and with the Sils only keeping 2 clean
sheets all season in the league, the inform striker may fancy his chances here when
they come to him.

THE MANAGER’S THOUGHTS

Here are Danny Forrest’s thoughts ahead of the tie against the league leaders.
“We’re travelling to the league leaders who are having a brilliant season. They’ve only
lost three games all season so we know well be up against it.

We’ve had some decent results against some of the top sides this season so we’ve
just got to go there with belief because I’m confident we have the ability to cause them
problems.”

TEAM NEWS

As far as team news is concerned, Josh Brown may have to miss out through injury.
The Sils will be hoping to have Chris Wademan back fit after a minor knee problem.
Goalkeeper Alfie Darke is in the later stages of his rehab and he will hopefully return to
the fold in a few weeks. Danny Riley is out with a shoulder injury and Matty Moses is
still ruled out after a serious knee injury earlier in the season.

BIG MATCH PREVIEW: THE COBBYDALERS VS AFC MANSFIELD 

The Cobbydalers are back in league action this Saturday at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium as we play hosts to AFC Mansfield. 

Danny Forrest’s men will be looking to kick on from their recent run of form, which has seen them pick up 7 points from their last 3 games which included two home wins and a “well deserved” point away from home against high flying Yorkshire Amateurs and keep moving up the league table. 

LEAGUE POSITION AND FORM 

The Cobbydalers currently sit 13th in the league table and have picked up 29 points ( W8 D5 L11)from their 24 games played. The Visitors AFC Mansfield currently sit Two places below the Sils in 15th place and have picked up 24 points in their 23 games played and a win here would mean they gain ground on the Cobbydalers, they also sit One point outside of the bottom Three and have a game in hand on 18th placed Bottesford Town. 

Last time out the Cobbydalers drew 1-1 away from home to high flying Yorkshire Amateurs after a late Chris Wademan equaliser,meant that both sides came away with a point. AFC Mansfield picked up a 2-0 home win against bottom of the table Athersley Recreation. On paper the tie seems to be a very closely contested game, with both teams trying to pick up the eagerly anticipated three points and gain ground on the teams below them and move up the league table. 

ONE TO WATCH

AFC Mansfield’s talismanic striker Ross Duggan is this week’s one to watch player for the opponents. The 25 year old striker has been in fine form this season for AFC Mansfield,contributing 19 goals in 19 league appearances.He has also scored 33 goals in all competitions and currently sits as the leading goalscorer in the league. Duggan clearly knows where the goal is and the Sils back line will have to be in fine form to stop him getting a sniff of the goal. If the Cobbydalers can keep him quiet they may well fancy themselves to pick up three points. 

LAST TIME OUT

In the reverse fixture earlier in the season the points were shared in a 2-2 draw. AFC Mansfield went 2-0 up courtesy of goals from Ross Duggan just before half-time and Brandon Webster just 2 minutes after the restart.The Cobbydalers struck back 10 minutes later through Laurence Sorhaindo and then 4 minutes from time Mark Everingham made sure that the points were shared and the Sils went back to West Yorkshire with a point. 

THE MANAGERS THOUGHTS 

When asked about the performance last time out against high flying Yorkshire Amateurs,manager Danny Forrest said:” we certainly deserved something from the game and were well worthy of a point” 

“I’m really happy because we were a bit out of confidence (after three defeats in a row). It has been an up and down season for us but now we’ve got some strong results and now it’s all about consistency” 

After the clash with Yorkshire Amateurs,the Cobbydalers have had a two week gap leading up to this weekend’s tie against AFC Mansfield after they had a free weekend, 

Danny Forrest said “ obviously last weekend was frustrating of course. Any manager or group of players on a good run would tell you that. The lads trained twice last week and did really well, but obviously they were preparing for a game a week on Saturday.” 

“It would have been nice to put what we’d done into practice at the weekend to keep up that momentum, but there is nothing we can do about it, hopefully we can put in a performance worthy of a result”. 

When asked about what the opposition may bring, it is with no doubt that the Sils will be doing everything they can to stop AFC Mansfield striker Ross Duggan, the striker has netted 19 goals in 19 league appearances, he also netted in the 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture earlier in the season,and Danny Forrest said: “Ross was good at their place. His physicality makes him a handful but he also has plenty of ability especially in front of goal.” 

“He likes to drop a shoulder to give himself half a yard. He’s not straightforward to face.”

TEAM NEWS 

As far as team news is concerned, Josh Brown may have to miss out through injury. The Sils will be hoping to have Chris Wademan back fit after his late equaliser against Yorkshire Amateurs after a minor knee problem. Goalkeeper Alfie Darke is in the later stages of his rehab and he will hopefully return to the fold in a few weeks. Danny Riley is out with a shoulder injury and Matty Moses is still ruled out after a serious knee injury earlier in the season. 

The club can announce that our home game against AFC Mansfield this Saturday 22nd February will be a “Pay What You Like” event, with proceeds being donated to fundraising efforts for the family of former Silsden player Tom Marshall, who tragically lost his life late last year.

Tom was immensely popular within the local football community, and it’s hoped that this will ensure we can raise as much as possible, with the funds intended for Tom’s son, Bowie Marshall.

This gesture follows the incredible efforts of another former Silsden man, Joe Gaughan, who has so far raised over £7,000 by running 10k every day for 47 days. All proceeds from the game will support this initiative and be donated to Joe’s fundraising efforts.

You can donate by following this link –

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/joe-gaughan