The Hallmark League Premier Division 2018-19

Saturday, 23 March 2019

              SILSDEN AFC 0 v 0 1874 NORTHWICH   F.C      Att.285

RICH ENTERTAINMENT IN GOALLESS DRAW

          The Cobbydalers were playing their first game for a month, having had two blank Saturdays on their fixture list and a postponement after last Saturdays deluge. 1874 Northwich were the visitors who were a point above the Yorkshireman at the start of play. In the corresponding fixture in Cheshire in October Silsden suffered a five-nil defeat.                                 Danny Forrest was able to name an unchanged side, the same side that had beaten third-placed Congleton in their last home game.

          1874, who had won four of their last five games, their only loss coming against second-placed Bootle, started brightly. Michael Koral drove over a testing cross in the fourth minute. Scott McGowan beat Dan Illingworth in the air but Josh Kaine cleared the danger. Callum Gardner then set up Pritchard, who shot wide of Callum Jakovlevs but the Silsden keeper made an excellent save. Gardner whipped in another telling cross before, after ten minutes, Silsden forced a corner at the other end. 

          Back came Northwich. McGowan broke through but was pulled back for an infringement. However, some slick football from the visitors pushed the Reds back. With the lack of match practice Silsden were a bit rusty but, after they had weathered the initial storm, they began to test the opposition. Niall Sultan burst up the right and fed the ball back to Arley Barnes, who saw his low drive saved, at full stretch, by Nosakhare Aghayere. Luke Rhodes then hit a low shot from the edge of the area which Aghayere saved at the expense of a corner.

          Northwich were patiently moving the ball backwards and forwards but the Cobbydalers were solid at the back, Craig Bentham clearing one effort, Illingworth another before Joe Mitchell, cool as you like, cleared from inside the goal area. Matt Russell was booked for a heavy challenge on Sultan. The visitors still pressed. McGowan shot wide before Koral set up Jack Irlam but the midfielder curled his effort wide of the far post. 

           With Mark Everingham sending Sultan up the left, Silsden counter-attacked. A neat drag-back by Aidan Kirby almost opened up the visitors defence before Everingham was caught out at the other end by Koral who wasted the opportunity. Kaine managed to keep a tight check on McGowan, the division’s third highest scorer, as the teams left the field at half time.

          Having held the visitors in the first half, Forrest brought on Laurence Sorhaindo after the break for Rhodes. Within five minutes the striker had almost broken the deadlock. It was a slick move with Mitchell feeding Kirby who set up the substitute. Sorhaindo broke through on the keeper but his shot was inches wide. 1874 countered with Irlam’s header setting up McGowan who shot wide. 

          Mitchell then had an effort cleared at the expense of a corner. Sorhaindo rose above the defence, headed down but the ball bounced up onto the bar. Sorhaindo went close again before Mark Jones shot wide at the other end. Chris Wademan replaced Sultan before a five man move saw Moses’ cross cleared for a corner. The ball was driven to Barnes who volleyed the ball against the 1874 keeper who was unsighted.

          With fifteen minutes left Silsden began to feel the pressure of a month without a game. Northwich’s Irlam shot weakly before Jacovlevs denied them with a fine save. Sorhaindo had a good run. McGowan shot weakly before volleying over. Silsden held out.

          The game may not have had goals but it had plenty to savour. The pace and the movement were good from both teams. Forrest was pleased with his charges. “After such a long lay-off the lads’ response was first class. It was even harder than at the start of the season when the pace can be built up with pre-season games. It’s frustrating our momentum is disrupted once again as our game against Northwich Victoria next week has been postponed because they have to play their postponed FA Vase semi-final. Good luck to them. Its good if a team from our league can reach the final at Wembley.”

What it does mean is a run of four games in eight days at the end of the season for the Cobbydalers. The next game is at home against Padiham on April 6^th.

SILSDEN AFC Jakovlevs, Moses, Everingham, Kaine, Illingworth, Bentham, Barnes, Mitchell (Townend 74), Rhodes (Sorhaindo 45), Kirby, Sultan (Wademan 64).Subs. not used. McKiernon, Hill.

1874 Northwich FC. Aghayere, Connor, Russell, Pritchard, Meadowcroft, Irlam (Hind 87), Koral, Jones, McGowan, Smith (Parker 84), Gardner (Kennedy 74). Subs not used. Jackson, Wooley.

Referee. Mr. B. Wyatt. Assistants. Mr.S. Kells and Mr. Ezro-Griffiths.

24 year old Jordan spent time in various youth academies before joining Emley FC where he spent four years. Predominantly a central midfielder, Jordan can operate in various attacking positions.

Manager Danny Forrest had his say on the new man:

“Jordan has been in with us for a few weeks now and we’re really happy with what we’ve seen in training. He’s a technical player with plenty of ability, he likes to get forward and will bring plenty of energy.

Sometimes leaving a club you’ve been with a long time can be difficult but Jordan has adapted well and the lads have taken to him straight away. He’s got a great attitude and we’re looking forward to seeing him on the pitch.

The squad has evolved in the last few months, there’s a great atmosphere in training and we’re very hopeful of having a strong finish to the season. We have a brilliant core group who have been here a few years now, and just recently we’ve added some young, hungry players who we feel can have an impact now, but with time can improve and become important players for us.”

North West Counties Football League Premier Division 2018-19

Saturday 23 February 2019

SILSDEN TURN ON STYLE & GIVE BEARS A MAULING

SILSDEN AFC 4 – 1 Congleton Town Att.153

 Barnes 25, Kirby 43, Sultan 62, Sorhaindo 77                               Foster 80

Silsden entertained highflying Congelton Town, a team in the chasing pack sitting in 3rd place in the North West Counties Premier, and boasting the meanest defence having only conceded 24 league goals all season.

Cobbydalers manager Danny Forrest was still searching for the consistency required from his charges, particularly at home where performances simply haven’t been up to standard, and looking to avenge a 5-0 defeat in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Silsden executed their game plan from early on, playing the ball out well from the back and moving the ball quickly, although to be fair to the visitors they kept their shape well in the early exchanges.

But with both side cancelling each other out we had to wait until the 21st minute until the first real chance of note, when Craig Bentham’s long through ball found Aidan Kirby’s willing run, but his shot was well over.

A couple of minutes later, after good interplay down the right hand side from Silsden, a ball into the box was stood on by the Bears central defender Thomas Morris, the ball breaking to Kirby, whose angled shot was fired wide of the upright.

But in the 25th minute the Cobbydalers were rewarded when Bentham’s clever diagonal ball found the overlapping Matty Moses who broke deep into the Bears box before cutting back to Arley Barnes who rifled his first time shot against the bar before smashing home the rebound to open the scoring for Silsden.

In 30th minute after some pressure from Congleton the ball got played in from the right to Matthew Jamieson, whose goal-bound shot from just inside the box appeared to take a deflection, but Callum Jakovlevs leapt across to his left to make a brilliant one handed save, parrying away for a corner.

The visitors applied a period of sustained pressure, gaining a succession of corners, but Silsden’s defence held firm, getting vital blocks in, Saul Henderson getting a shot in which hit Jakovlevs with his defenders clearing the danger as the Bears threatened to get back on terms.

Skipper Josh Kaine got in a vital block as Bears danger-man Emini Adegbenro threatened, the ball ricocheting off the latter for a goal kick as the game started to liven up. And again Kaine was outnumbered as the visitors pressed forward but this time Adegbenro fired wide of the near post as he broke in from the left.

Congleton were enjoying a good spell of pressure and from another corner on the right, Dan Illingworth won his aerial duel with the lanky Henderson at the expense of another corner. And then from a free kick on the right from Dean Warburton, Jamieson broke free with a clever run, but couldn’t get any contact on the ball.

In the 42nd minute Niall Sultan whipped a dangerous ball into the visitor’s box for Luke Rhodes, but the defence smuggled the ball away amidst half-hearted appeals for handball.

A minute later Jakovlevs played the ball out to Bentham, who played a superb raking pass down the middle which found Kirby’s clever run beyond the back line leaving him clear with the ‘keeper in no-mans land, and he coolly smashed his shot past the helpless Ellison to double Silsden’s advantage before the half-time break.

Congleton unsurprising made tactical changes for the second period, applying a high press and playing with a higher tempo and in the 50th minute Adegbenro had an opportunity following a straight through ball, but Jakovlevs gathered comfortably when the forward should have done better.

Minutes later Congelton played the ball in from the right to Henderson who pivoted and laid the ball back to Steve Foster who retrieved and swiveled before striking a tame left foot shot which was easily dealt with by the Silsden custodian.

Then Silsden threatened as they tried to regain control with Joe Mitchell’s corner from the left finding Bentham’s leap and header, which was scrambled away by the visitors defence.

And as the game started to get stretched, it was Silsden’s turn to avoid punishment as Kaine scrambled the ball away for a corner after Jakovlevs missed his punch when the visitors delivered a dangerous high ball into the box.

From the resulting corner broke to Morris at the edge of the box, but his left foot shot was tipped over by Jakovlevs as the Bears threatened again to get back into the game. Everingham headed the next corner away as Silsden dug in deep to defend their goal and weather the storm, with Jamieson missing his header from another corner and then Jack Disney’s deep cross evading everybody and drifting to safety.

But then the game was settled by Jamieson uncharacteristically dithering on the edge of his own box, before presenting the ball to Sultan who gratefully accepted the gift and coolly slotted the ball past the exposed Ellison to make it 3-0 to the Yorkshiremen.

Congleton broke down the left in the 63rd minute and a dangerous ball was played in, but Jakovlevs bravely dived out to divert the ball away before the defence once again completed the clearance to keep their goal intact.

But another Mitchell corner swung in right footed from out on the left found substitute Laurence Sorhaindo’s soaring free header in deep the Bears box made it 4-0 on 77 minutes, as Silsden sealed the victory.

Congleton did get a consolation goal for their efforts albeit in bizarre circumstances as Foster’s shot trundled into the net with Silsden appealing for a decision that never came.

In the 82nd minute following a challenge from Everingham the ball broke to Foster, but his shot was wide of the mark as the visitors tried to bring an air of respectability

to the score line. They threatened further, but Silsden defended resolutely with Illingworth getting in vital blocks and substitute William Hasler-Cregg curling his right foot shot wide.

But Silsden finished with a flourish, with Soraindo’s mazy run in added time causing mayhem in the visitors’ box, his lay back finding the tireless Barnes whose superb strike was brilliantly parried one handed by Ellison in the Congleton goal, before the referee’s whistle ended a thoroughly entertaining game which the Cobbydalers deserved to win.

Silsden AFC:

Jakovlevs, Moses, Everingham, Kaine ©, Illingworth, Bentham, Barnes (25), Mitchell, Rhodes (Wademan), Kirby (43) (Sorhaindo (77), Sultan (62) (Tomas) Subs not used: McKiernon & Hill

Congleton Town:

Ellison, Peters, Disney, Jamieson, Morris, Griffith ©, Burey, Warburton (Hasler-Cregg), Foster (80), Henderson (Cope), Adegbenro (Speed) Subs not used: Main & Stephens

Referee: Mr L Dawson

Assistant: Mr S Rushworth

Assistant: Mr J Ezro-Griffiths

The Hallmark League Premier Division 2018-19

Saturday 16th February 2019

                                     SILSDEN AFC 0 v 2 LITHERLAND REMYCA

Att.153                               Quirk 74, 90+2(pen)

JEKELL AND HYDE SEASON CONTINUES FOR SILSDEN

          Following wins on the road at City of Liverpool and Squires Gate, Silsden returned to the Cobbydale Construction Stadium to face Litherland REMYCA for the first of five home fixtures on the run. With the Yorkshiremen having lost the last three home games by the odd goal, Danny Forrest was hoping to get the team back onto winning ways at home. As it transpired the game wasn’t a classic.

          REMYCA were the first to create a chance but Michael Ordish blasted a free-kick over the bar. Aiden Kirby then broke down the left and fed Luke Rhodes. He slid the ball to Ashley Barnes who saw his shot blocked in a packed goal area. Litherland broke forward and Josh Kaine missed Connor Christianson’s cross which fell invitingly to Ordish. Callum Jakovlevs made a fine save.    

          The game was then delayed for five minutes after an injury to  Ordish, who had to be stretchered off the field. The visitors then applied some pressure but it was the Yorkshiremen who went close, Chris Wademan setting up Joe Mitchell, who saw his effort tipped over the bar by Travis Wilson. Mitchell then fed Kirby but the striker’s shot didn’t cause Wilson any problems.

          Niall Sultan won a chase for the ball and appeared to be tripped in the penalty area by Ryan Dobson. The fans near the incident were in no doubt that a penalty should have been awarded but the referee decided otherwise. After good interplay by Moses and Rhodes, Wademan curled an effort wide of the far post.

          The Merseysiders  began to gain some control. Illingworth conceded a corner. Jamie Britt headed wide. Skipper Colin Quirk brought some class to the game with a mazy dribble but his curling shot cleared the far post. Kirby shot wide,  Illingworth then headed over, before bringing a save from Wilson but the game was hardly a classic with too many high balls being hit more in hope than expectation.

                   A poor clearance by Jacovlevs gave Jamie Britt a clear chance of putting the visitors ahead but he fired wide. Wademan at the other end exchanged passes with three colleagues but was eventually closed down. The game continued to be scrappy, Whewell hitting another effort over the Silsden bar. Next it was Christianson’s turn to miss the target.

          Barnes and Sultan combined but the move only lead to a corner, as did Mitchell’s next effort. REMYCA had another chance when Joe Powell beat Illingworth in the goal area. Jakovlevs saved the header. The visitors continued to press. Jamie Britt hit a super ball into the box but Kaine headed clear then Everingham blocked Christianson’s shot. Finally the deadlock was broken. Connor drove the ball over from the left. QUIRK squeezed it home at the near post.

          Silsden pushed forwards but they couldn’t break down a packed defence. At the other end Kaine headed off the line before substitute, Craig Bentham conceded a penalty in stoppage time. QUIRK made no mistake from the spot!

          Danny Forrest had words to say after the game! Hopefully there will be a reaction next week when Congleton Town are the visitors. The Bears are in third place in the table and thrashed the Cobbydalers five-nil in December. Forrest will be hoping for a repeat of the performance of the defeat of league leaders City of Liverpool. (K.O. 3pm.)

SILSDEN AFC. Jakovlevs, Moses, Everingham, Kaine, Illingworth, Rhodes (Bentham 80), Barnes, Mitchell, Wademan (Sorhaindo 70), Kirby, Sultan (McKiernon 70). Subs not used Tomas, Forrest.              LITHERLAND  REMYCA. Wilson, Foy, Connor, Dobson, Powell, McShane, Ordish (Coulborn 11), Britt, Whewell (Cato 88), Quirk, Christianson (McDonald 79). Subs not used Murphy, Shield.                     Referee. Mr. I. Walsh. Assistants. Mr D. Sanderson and Mr. Ainsley Sawicz

The Hallmark League Premier Division 2018-19

Saturday 9th February 2019

                    SQUIRES GATE FC 3 v 4  SILSDEN AFC                        

Boyd 3, Seear 37, Egidi 45              Barnes 9, Sultan 29, Wademan 41,                                            Kirby 70.               

Att. 86

COBBYDALERS VICTORS IN A SEVEN GOAL THRILLER

          The Cobbydalers had to make a second visit to Squires Gate on Saturday, as the earlier fixture was abandoned at the break because of a floodlight failure. The overnight storms had abated although there was a strong crosswind and the pitch was greasy, a factor involved in several defensive errors.

          The game was very entertaining with first one side taking the initiative and then the other. The opener came as early as the third minute. Right back Daniel Gray managed to get a cross in from the right. Matty Moses and Ric Seear jumped to head the ball at the far post. Sear got the touch and James BOYD blasted in the opener.

          Silsden’s response was swift. Niall Sultan swung in a corner at the other end. Luke Rhodes headed goalwards and keeper Ben Fletcher blocked the effort with his feet. Aidan Kirby was on it in a flash but Gray managed to clear his shot off the goal-line.  Mitchell sent Kirby free again but the shot was blocked.

          The equaliser wasn’t long in coming and what a screamer it was! It came from a throw-in on the right. Kirby managed to get in a cross. The ball was headed out to Mitchell. The midfielder slid it to Arley BARNES who left the keeper no chance as his twenty-yard effort was right in the top corner.

          Gate responded immediately with Boyd cutting in from the right. His shot went inches wide of the far post. In Gate’s next attack Josh Kaine slipped in his own penalty area as he attempted to clear the ball. Ric Egidi was quickly on it but Kaine recovered to deny the striker putting the home side back in front.

          Moses saw his cross cleared at one end before Boyd shot well wide, after a corner had been driven to the edge of the box. Illingworth then headed Dan Gray’s cross clear and Ben Riader halted Kirby’s run at the other end. Gate nearly regained the lead midway through the half but Moses headed off the line and Illingworth cleared up.       

          The Cobbydalers then took the lead. Interplay between Joe Mitchell and Kirby led to a cross by the former. SULTAN had merely to tap the ball home.  Gate responded with Ryan Charnley cutting across the box but the combined efforts of Kaine and Mark Everingham denied him. However the equaliser seemed inevitable. A swift counter-attack down the left found the Reds wanting. Egidi burst down the wing and crossed into the box. SEEAR made it 2-2!

          Jakovlevs then denied Seear before Kaine cleared Ings’ header. If Gate’s counter-attack had been swift, Silsden’s was even swifter. Kirby broke down the right, crossed, and there was WADEMAN to make it 3-2. Could the Cobbydalers keep their lead until the break? (They had four minutes.) Unfortunately not!  When Sultan crossed in towards the far post, Kirby had the opportunity to make it 4-2. He missed the chance and an error from Kaine allowed in Sear, who slid the ball in to EGIDI to level the scores at the interval.

          Silsden’s last game had been the two-one win at City of Liverpool. It had been a game where the Cobbydaler’s defending had been magnificent. This was a totally different game with the possibility of more goals in the second half.

          There were chances at both ends early on after the break. Sultan had a shot blocked at one end, Boyd headed over at the other. Wademan was a touch wide after Sultan had slid the ball across to him before Boyd saw his next effort cleared.

          The game changed in a flash. On sixty-seven minutes Gate were awarded a corner. It was swung over to the far post where Seear thought he had put his team back in the lead. There was some confusion before Sears was deemed to have used a hand! The free-kick was hit down the right. Kirby hit a fantastic cross. Mitchell hit it perfectly but the ball rebounded off the post. Two minutes later, after another break away, KIRBY got his just reward for all his hard work and put the Cobbydalers in front with twenty minutes to go!

          The drama was not over. Silsden missed chances to settle the issue. Mitchell and Kirby both shot over. Forrest brought on Laurence  Sorhaindo  and Josh McKeirnon. Both players played up-front where their tight ball control took the pressure off the Reds’ defence. Nevertheless Gate had one more chance. A corner was sung in three minutes from time. Seear met it cleanly but the ball hit the post! Sorhaindo broke away but was denied by a fine save from Fletcher. The Cobbydalers were relieved when the final whistle went.

          Silsden now have a run of five consecutive home games although Danny Forrest is only concerned with the next game against Litherland REMYCA next Saturday. Kick-off is at 2pm. in order for the club to prepare for the Sportsmans’ dinner. (There are just a few tickets left for this event)

SQUIRES GATE FC.  Fletcher, Gray, Bamba, Ing (Burgess 88), Rossall, Raider, Charnley (Booth 84), Staunton-Turner (Ryley 71), Sear, Egidi, Boyd. Subs not used Booth, Boyd.

SILSDEN AFC. Jakovlevs, Moses, Everingham, Kaine, Illingworth, Rhodes (Sorhaindo 74), Barnes, Mitchell, Wademan, Kirby, Sultan (McKiernon 76). Subs not used. Forrest, Hill.

Referee. Mr. Topp.  Assistants.  Mr. Young  and Mr. Williams.

Silsden AFC are proud to present a Sportsman’s Dinner Evening in partnership with Five Nine Agency on Saturday 16th February. The event will take place at Silsden AFC’s Cobbydale Construction Stadium and will be hosted by former Bradford City CEO James Mason. Special guests on the night will be Peter Jackson and Sam Boatwright.

Peter Jackson had an illustrious career as both a player and a manager. Bradford-born Peter represented his home town club over 300 times across two spells. He also played for Newcastle United, Huddersfield Town and Halifax Town. Perhaps Peter’s biggest achievement in management came in the form of a Division 3 (now League 2) play off final win vs Mansfield Town in 2004 to seal promotion for the Terriers.

Sam Boatwright is an epic runner, endurance adventurer, fundraiser, author and motivational speaker. In the summer of 2017 Sam crossed America coast to coast in 32 days through a combination of running and cycling. Sam passed through 14 U.S states and raised £30,000 for Help The Heroes.

Tickets are priced at £25 and includes a two course meal courtesy of Oakley’s of Skipton.

For more information or to book your place on to what should be a fantastic evening please contact Silsden AFC Vice-Chairman John Lohan.

johnl@airevalleyifa.co.uk

The Hallmark League Premier Division 2018-19

Saturday 26th January 2019

                                 CITY OF LIVERPOOL FC 1 v 2  SILSDEN AFC

                              Dalton 24.                                          Illingworth 10, Storrie 55.  Att. 487

  ILLINGWORTH IMMENSE FOR MAGNIFICENT COBBYDALERS

          “Take a walk around my centre-half gentlemen, he’s a colossus” So said Bill Shankley on the arrival of Ron Yeats at Liverpool in 1961. (The  modern day equivalent would be Virgil van Dijk!)” On Saturday the Cobbydalers had their own “Colossus” in Dan Illingworth, although this was far from a one man effort, with every player rising to Danny Forrest’s challenge “to get back on track”.

          City of Liverpool FC, leading the North West Counties Premier League by fourteen points at the start of play, had only lost two games all season, at home to their landlords, second-placed Bootle and away at third-placed Congleton.  Silsden were unlucky not to have beaten the “Purps” in October, the visitors scoring a late equaliser.

          Without regular keeper Callum Jakovlevs, who was serving a one match ban, Forrest was struggling to find a replacement, eventually signing Cameron Alisson, a second year scholar at Fylde FC, who trains with the first team thrice a week.  Added to that, the recent results, three narrow defeats in January to teams below the Cobbydalers, made Forrest’s demand  a tall order.

          Craig Bentham and Aidan Kirby returned for the Reds, who began with a strong wind at their backs, not a major advantage as some ball caught on the wind and went “dead”. However Silsden were out of the blocks immediately the game kicked off. Matty Moses stormed down the right on the overlap and crossed into the Purps’ box. Kirby headed wide. A corner from the right held up in the wind and Illingworth couldn’t get enough on his header to beat Luke Denson.

          Arley Barnes’s effort caught the wind and went wide but, when Kirby held the ball up, he slid it to Joe Mitchell who fed Storrie. His shot was deflected for a corner. The ball was partially cleared but ILLINGWORTH, who had stayed in the goal area, headed Mitchell’s cross into the goal.

          The Cobbydalers continued to enjoy some good periods of possession with Mitchell pulling the strings. Luke Rhodes curled a shot marginally wide and Storrie had another effort deflected for a corner.  Barnes and Moses were able to break down the wings as Kaine, Illingworth and Craig Bentham kept the Purps at bay.

           It was midway through the half when City tested the Silsden defence. A corner was swung in and Dan DALTON got a header in at the back post which McDonald couldn’t quite reach. The Purps gained some momentum after the equaliser but Kaine’s superb defensive header kept the scores level. In fact it led to a breakaway with Mitchell bursting through deep into the Liverpool half. The attack ended with Bentham’s cross catching the wind and going dead.

          Back came the home side. Peterson managed to get a header on a cross. The ball beat Allison but bounced on the crossbar not once but twice! Allison gathered it as it came back into play! At the other end Illingworth hit a ball across to Moses who sent it into the Purps’ penalty box. Kirby got his header in but the wind took it wide of the far post.

          The last ten minutes of the half belonged to the Liverpudlians but Kaine (twice) and Illingworth both headed clear before McGrath had a shot deflected for a corner.  The half-time whistle went.

          The wind had eased a tad by the start of the second half. Silsden were the first to show, Mitchell shooting narrowly wide after good play by Bentham and Storrie. The Purps then pushed the Cobbydalers back. Kaine, Moses and Bentham in turn, cleared the danger. Silsden looked dangerous on the break with the pace of Storrie testing the home defence.  Rhodes saw another effort just clear the bar.

          A super tackle by Everingham led to a break-away, Barnes feeding Kirby, who drove the ball into the Purps’ goal area. There was a mix-up between the keeper and his right back. STORRIE pounced to net from a yard out.

          With half an hour to go, City threw men forwards. Silsden were pushed back. It was like a storm in the Irish Sea. The Silsden defence stood as firm as the hundred Antony Gormley life–size, cast-iron statues on nearby Crosby beach. The ball was hoisted into the Silsden area time after time. The defence held firm with Illingworth immense.  McDonald hit a post. Kaine made another masterful interception. When keeper Allison did make a mistake coming out of his area, the Silsden skipper was there to save the day.

          No matter what the pressure was, the Cobbydalers were still a threat on the break. Kirby was denied by a swift intervention by Bacon before he hit another effort over the bar.  Niall Sultan, on for Storrie, kept the home defence occupied whilst at the other end Illingworth headed out again and again. Allison went down at his near post to deny Hazelhurst. Everingham charged down a shot from substitute Owens.

          With the clock ticking down Lawrence Sorhaindo, who came on for Kirby, almost netted a third for the Cobbydalers after an error by Dalton. The Purps had one last chance but Allison saved Hazlehurst’s low shot before the final whistle went! Phew.

          The Cobbydalers have no game next Saturday and are away at Squires  Gate on the 9^th February in a game replacing the game abandoned for a floodlight failure.

CITY OF LIVERPOOL  FC.  Bacon, Denson, Thompson, Holt, Dalton, Brown (McDonald 20),  Hazlehurst, Williams, McGrath (Forbes 72), Peterson(Owens 82), Foy. Subs not used. McEllin, Cuevas.

SILSDEN AFC Allison, Moses, Everingham,  Kaine,  Illingworth, Bentham, Barnes, Mitchell, Storrie (Sultan 64), Kirby (Sorhaindo 88), Rhodes. Subs not used. McKiernon, Forrest, Wademan.

Referee. Mr. C. Porter.  Assistants. Mr. M. Archibald and Mr. D. Chisnall.

The Hallmark League Premier Division 2018-19

Saturday 19^th January 2019

                                   WEST DIDSBURY AND CHORLTON 2 v 1 SILSDEN AFC                                        Hall 34, Horner 55.                                         Illingworth 47.

Att. 261.

DÉJÀ VU AS COBBYDALERS SLIDE CONTINUES

The Cobbydalers travelled to Brookburn Road aiming to get their first points on 2019. Unfortunately the game ended just as Silsden’s last encounter here had done three years ago, with a two-one defeat and having had a forward and a keeper sent off. In that case it was Josh McNulty and Danny Thorpe; this time it was Joe Gaughan and Callum Jakovlevs

Despite the absence of Aidan Kirby, Danny Forrest was able to start with a strong line up, Chris Wademan and Will Storrie each starting after recent injuries. A low mist had settled on Manchester.

 Silsden started positively with Wademan breaking down the right but the move ended with the flag raised for offside. Dan Illingworth cleared up West’s first sortie forwards and released Storrie down the left. The winger’s cross found Gaughan who shot wide. Storrie then shot across the face of the goal, having been set-up by Luke Rhodes.

 Storrie and Wademan then exchanged passes before the ball was slid to Niall Sultan, who failed to get enough power on his cross. Storrie nearly opened the scoring but keeper Will Jones came off his line to narrow the angle. The pressured continued with Gaughan hitting a clean strike goalwards. Unfortunately Storrie was in the line of fire.

It was all Silsden. Illingworth sent Wademan away before he was denied by a fine challenge by Thomas Horner. Gaughan was fouled twice in a matter of minutes. On both occasions John Sergeant kicked the ball away to prevent the Yorkshiremen from taking quick free-kicks!

Still the Cobbydalers pushed forwards. A double side-step by Sultan ended with Jones managing to parry his twenty-five yard shot. Finally, the home side managed to break out of defence. They were awarded a free kick which was lifted into the penalty area. Stephen HALL drove it goalwards but Jakovlevs had it covered…that was until it deflected off the unlucky Barnes.

 West were determined to defend their goal in numbers and as Silsden attacked yet again, there was a melee just midway into the homeside’s half. Gaughan faced up to some opponents and was sent off as was West’s John Sergeant, who had drifted away from trouble. Obviously the referee has spotted a serious infringement.

The game restarted with Storrie again causing panic in the home defence. His cross found Rhodes who headed over. At the other end Josh Kaine broke up another attack and Mitchell got back after Rhodes had been dispossessed.

Three minutes after the interval, Silsden equalised when ILLINGWORTH headed home Storrie’s corner. The centre back then headed clear at his own end before the injured Sultan had to be replaced by Mark Everingham. Everingham’s first touch of the ball saw him head over the bar after a free-kick for a foul on Storrie.

Finally the crowd was treated to a snapshot of “The Beautiful Game”, Thomas HORNER’s thirty-yarder into the top corner of the Silsden net, putting West back into the lead. The Mancunians, under new management, were determined to preserve their narrow lead.

Silsden responded with two headers but both Wademan and Illingworth were wide of the target. Forrest came on for Wademan. Immediately he hit a rasping free-kick which was pushed for a corner. Illingworth broke into the West goal area and was upended! The cries for a penalty were turned down!

Crosses came in from the Cobbydalers which were cleared. There was some slick one-touch football from the Yorkshire outfit. Forrest and Mitchell had shots blocked. With twenty minutes left Rhodes headed an Illingworth throw-in to Mitchell who volleyed over!                                         

Kaine then made a break forwards and crossed into the box. Forrest appeared to be impeded but the ball was cleared up the pitch. The Cobbydalers were stretched. With the game entering six minutes of stoppage time, West broke free but Jakovlevs denied Joel Dixon twice from close range. The ball was cleared down field but, with most of the Silsden players in West’s half, Dixon latched onto a long ball. Jakovlevs came out of his box and clattered into Dixon. The “No Foul! No Foul!” keeper was dismissed! Kaine took over between the posts.

With so much possession and numerous chances, one wonders how the visitors didn’t end up with a least a point. Surely the tide will turn soon. Next week the Cobbydalers travel to league leaders, City of Liverpool. Now that would be something special!

WEST DIDSBURY AND CHORLTON FC. Jones, Tinker, Pearson, Sergeant, Eiselt, Horner, McLaughlin (Uchegbulan86), Hall, Kilheeney, Shaw (Gavin 78), Coombes(Dixon 80). Subs Miranda, Butucell.

SILSDEN AFC Jakovlevs, Barnes, Moses, Illingworth, Rhodes, Storrie (McKiernon 78), Mitchell, Wademan (Forrest 57), Gaughan, Sultan (Everingham 52). Sub not used Bentham.

Referee. Mr. A Bennett.  Assistants.  Mr N. Usher and  Mr. L. Ockleshaw.