The Hallmark League Premier Division 2018-19

Saturday, 12^th January 2019

SILSDEN AFC 0 v 1 ABBEY HEY

                                           Walker 69. Att. 131

ABBEY’S ONLY EFFORT ON TARGET SINKS BELOW-PAR SILSDEN

          The Cobbydalers entertained, bottom of the table Abbey Hey on Saturday. It was a dismal day for the Yorkshiremen who wasted a host of chances and fell to a late goal from the visitors.

          Under new management, the Mancunians were determined to climb up the League table. New boss Paul Moore has brought in numerous new players and only three of the “old guard” started the game at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium. No fewer than seventy-nine players have signed for the Abbey this season!        

          After twelve league defeats on the run from 21st October to 26th December, in which they conceded 36 goals and scored 2, things changed for Abbey Hey. On 29^thDecember the Abbey beat Irlam, 2-1. (Irlam have reached the 5^th Round of this season’s FA Vase!) The Cobbydalers have lost five of their last six.

          That said, this was a game the Yorkshire outfit should have won with the number of chances they created. A late goal from Oliver Walker was the visitors only shot on target! In a game where the wind made the conditions difficult, it was actually better to play against the wind, as many long balls caught on the wind, blowing towards the clubhouse.

          Silsden, with the wind at their backs, won a corner in the opening minutes. The ball was headed out but Aidan Kirby went close with an overhead volley. Matty Moses then shot across the face of the goal before Niall Sultan drove the ball back in. It was cleared but hit back in to Kirby who shot from a narrow angle. Josh Samburg pushed it onto the post.

          It was mainly Silsden in control but it was difficult to stop the ball from blowing dead. Dan Illingworth’s long ball was overhit before Sultan broke down the right and crossed into the goal area. Where were the Silsden strikers? Sultan hit another ball into the box but keeper Samburg gathered. Moses then denied Dan Hopkins a chance before Kirby’s header from Illingworth’s throw-in was gathered by Samburg.

          Peter Watling, Oliver Walker and Hopkins then exchanged passes but Kaine denied them a shot. At the other end, Mark Everingham crossed to Kirby. His shot cleared the bar. Lewis Haydock then denied Joe Mitchell before Maguire was booked for a heavy challenge on Sultan. Sultan took the free-kick: Kirby headed over.

          At the other end, Haydock shot wide before crosses from Everingham and Sultan flashed across the Abbey goal area. Gaughan latched on to a corner, cut back in, but his effort was saved. On the stroke of half-time Kirby hit a thunderbolt but Samburg made certain the game would be goalless at the interval.

          Gaughan was in the action early in the second half. Moses burst up the wing, crossed, but Gaughan’s effort at the near post was saved. From then on the striker faded out of the action. Ten minutes into the half Moses burst forwards again. Kirby’s shot was blocked. Abbey’s first effort of the half came on sixty minutes, Edwards free-kick gaining pace as it bounced. Jakovlevs breathed a sigh of relief as it went whizzing past the upright.

          For much of the first half Luke Rhodes had been a peripheral figure. He came into the game on sixty minutes. Running up the right, he cut in but his shot was wide of the target. At the other end Watling blasted over. A great run from Barnes, up the right saw him cross into the box. Kirby headed it down but there was no-one in support.

          On sixty-nine minutes WALKER broke across the half-way line. He shot from forty-yards out. Jacovlevs didn’t have time to reach the ball as it bounce into the net, the visitor’s first significant effort.

          Immediately Danny Forrest rang the changes, coming on himself with Will Storrie and Chris Wademan, for Gaughan, Everingham and Kirby, only the latter to have made an impact. Immediately the Abbey had men running at pace. Sultan’s great run and cross led to a powerful shot from Forrest.

          Wademan and Storrie have been brought back into the team gradually after injuries. They looked ready to start. The ball was fizzed around as the substitutes put down a marker. Moses was up and down, Storrie and Sultan put in good crosses but Abbey flooded their own area to block any efforts on target. The visitors took the spoils.

          Next Saturday the Cobbydalers travel to West Didsbury. Changes to the team seem inevitable with several players seemingly strolling through the game. Kirby still looks the best bet to lead the attack. He may not have scored but he was there when the chances came. He needs some luck! Of some others who had a bad day, Forrest needs to question their desire!

SILSDEN AFC Jakovlevs, Barnes, Moses, Kaine, Illingworth, Rhodes, Everingham (Forrest 70), Mitchell, Gaughan (Wademan 70), Kirby (Storrie 70), Sultan. Subs. not used. Bentham,  Hardisty-Blackwell.

ABBEY HEY FC. Samburg, Edwards, Maguire, Doran, Okonkwo, Whitehead (Amando 80), Oko, Haydock, Watling, Walker, Hopkins. Sub. not used. Swallow, Dale, Opoku-Berchie, Heywood.

Referee. Mr. M. Coles.   Mr. D. Chappell and Mr. A. Williams.

Silsden AFC v Bradford City U18’s

Match Action courtesy of David Brett

http://www.photos-dsb.co.uk/

The Cobbydale Construction Stadium will host an exciting friendly this Tuesday evening (8th January 7.45pm) as Silsden AFC welcome Mark Trueman’s Bradford City Youth Team.

Manager Danny Forrest and Assistant Manager Craig Bentham both came through the youth system at Bradford City and went on to sign professional contracts at the club, and they see value for both parties in the game.

Craig said “It’s a great spectacle for the club and from Mark’s point of view it’s probably a different challenge for his team. They’re doing extremely well in the Youth Alliance League but this game offers their players a different environment and a taste of senior football.”

Danny believes the game will prove to be a valuable experience for the club “The game gives our players a chance to test themselves against a professional outfit who train to a high standard day in day out. It’s an opportunity for our lads to get back out on the pitch and try develop some areas of our game. I believe we have a brilliant set up with great people involved and it’s fantastic that the club has the opportunity to showcase what we can offer. Hopefully this can be the start of a positive relationship between the clubs.”

The game kicks off at 7.45pm, entry to the game will be £3 (£1 concessions).

The Hallmark League Premier Division 2018-19

Saturday, 5^th January, 2019

SILSDEN AFC 1 v 2 WHITCHURCH ALPORT FC         

 Gaughan 15.                     Hughes 8, Ashman 67.         Att.195.

MEAN ALPORT DEFENCE THWARTS COBBYDALERS

          It was déjà vu at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium on Saturday as the away team Whitchurch Alport won by the odd goal. The two promoted teams met twice last year with the Salopians inflicting Silsden’s first home defeat of the season, 2-1. Towards the end of the campaign, the Cobbydalers won in Shropshire by a single goal. Earlier in the present season, a ninetieth minute winner from Hancock gave the Yorkshiremen the points but the pattern continued on Saturday with Alport winning 2-1.

          The games between the teams have been feisty affairs with numerous bookings and dismissals. Saturday’s game only had four cautions, one for Silsden and three for Alport.

          The Cobbydalers were without Storrie and Sorhaindo. Arley Barnes returned with Joe Gaughan coming on from the start. Silsden were soon on the offensive when Mark Everingham broke from right back to beat keeper Parton. Sultan then sped up the right and crossed into the box but the visitors keeper gathered. Barnes’ tackle on Simon Everall was superb but, when the wingman next cut in from the right, his cross struck the arm of Dan Illingworth just inside the box. Penalty! The centre-back was cautioned and Alex HUGHES netted the spot-kick.

          Jordan Cole thought he had put the visitors two up but the goal was ruled out for offside. A foul on Aidan Kirby led to a free-kick. Sultan drove it in. Darren Campion headed out but only to GAUGHAN, who twisted to the left before blasting in the equaliser. Sultan was a real threat down the right and Kirby, latching on to a through ball from Everingham, had a low shot saved.

          Silsden were having more of the game. Gaughan, with the ball seemingly glued to his feet, created an opening but David Parton saved comfortably. A move involving Everingham and Kirby ended with Gaughan rattling the bar from the edge of the penalty area.

          Both sides created half chances with Kirby going close for Silsden and Hughes for Whitchurch. With five minutes left, a superb run by Kirby was halted. The ball fell to Moses who fed Kirby yet again. His shot was sliced clear. On the balance of play, Silsden might have been a goal up at the break. They had the wind in their favour in the second half!

          The Cobbydalers were on top on the restart but the Whitchurch defence is rather mean having conceded eleven fewer goals than Silsden. They were resolute but Silsden did have chances. The best fell to Barnes after good work by Rhodes and Kirby. Barnes broke through but his effort was off target. As the Whitchurch defence was pushed back, they became even harder to break down.

          The breaks from the visitors were spasmodic but, when they were awarded a free-kick on sixty-seven minutes, HUGHES was the first to react to put them back in the lead. Wademan came on for Everingham. Immediately he cut through the midfield but Luke Goddard blocked his shot. One Mitchell effort was easy for the keeper but his second was deflected for a corner.

          With five minutes left a long-throw in reached Rhodes at the far post. He was slow to react and the chance went begging. Josh Kaine flicked another ball into the box but there were no takers.  Whitchurch took the spoils!

          Manager Danny Forrest was philosophical at the end, acknowledging the backs to the wall defence of the visitors. “With so many players back, we found it hard to create many chances. When the few chances came, we failed to take them!”

Next Saturday Silsden are at home to ABBEY HEY.

SILSDEN AFC. Jacovlevs,  Barnes, Moses, Kaine, Illingworth, Rhodes, Everingham (Wademan 78), Mitchell, Gaughan, Kirby, Sultan.  Subs not used. Ainscough,  Lee,  Hardisty-Blackwell,  Darkins,  Forrest.

WHITCHURCH ALPORT FC. Parton, Minshall, Chilcott (Sanders), Campion, Goddard, Ashman, Everall, Howell, Hughes, Griffiths, Cole(Sanders 70). Subs not used. Bridge, Pickerill, Street.

Referee. Mr. I. Johnston.  Assistants. Mr. A. Clearie and Mr.K. Dawson

The Hallmark League Premier Division 2018-19

Saturday 29th December, 2018

LITHERLAND REMYCA 0 v 2 SILSDEN AFC

Att. 62.                                       Illingworth 19, Sorhaindo 45.

COBBYDALERS END THE YEAR WITH A WIN

The Cobbydalers travelled to Merseyside for their final game of 2018. After their promotion to the Premier Division, they had made an excellent start before sliding down the table after a poor two months. They started the day in the bottom half of the table. Manager Danny Forrest, in his pre-match interview, said that he wanted the team to play with more freedom and enjoyment, without fear, just as they had at the start of the season. He got a positive response. It wasn’t quite the beautiful game but that wasn’t the fault of the players.

Litherland play at a Council-owned sports club, where the staff had an extended holiday break. The match started a 1pm to suit the two staff who had volunteered to work on the afternoon. The pitch had been marked out by the clubs members but it had not been rolled and was in a poor condition. (The club are hoping to move before season 2020-21). The atmosphere at the game was lacking, as the sparse crowd were spread outside an athletics track!

The Cobbydalers, facing a strong wind, started brightly. Aidan Kirby latched onto an error by the keeper before his shot was blocked. Then Stephen King deflected Joe Mitchell’s low shot for a corner. Luke Rhodes released Niall Sultan who crossed to Kirby. The striker’s header was saved by Ben Morrow.

REMYCA broke down the right but Matty Moses made a good block before Jacovlevs sliced Dan Illingworth’s back-pass for a corner. Ryan Dobson headed wide. Silsden took the lead on nineteen minutes when Laurence Sorhaindo headed down a Sultan free kick and Dan ILLINGWORTH blasted the ball home.

Two minutes later Kirby’s back-heel sent Will Storrie clear. He crossed to Sorhaindo who saw his effort clear the far post. The chances kept coming and Silsden took control but a second goal wouldn’t come. Josh Kaine foiled a break away before REMYCA thought they had equalised but Lennon Whewell was offside.

Silsden continued to create openings but the run of the ball was unpredictable. They defended well against the strong wind, with skipper Kaine once again always one step ahead of his opponents. In the dying minutes of the half, REMYCA had two great chances. Josh Hamilton fed Dylan Scott, who had his shot saved for a corner, before Stephen King headed over the bar. Storrie latched onto the resulting goal kick, sped forwards and shot from the right. His effort was deflected to SORHAINDO who netted to make it two-nil at the break.

The wind died down as the second half began, as REMYCA enjoyed a period of possession, without creating an opening. In fact Kirby had the best effort but his shot cleared the bar. Neither side could create a clear chance. Silsden were content to protect their lead and the Merseysiders, for all their possession, lacked a killer ball. At the other end, Illingworth managed to get the better of Whewell on one occasion but Morrow saved comfortably.

The game petered out as the heavy pitch took its toll. Rhodes hit the post with a curler, Sultan hit a free kick over the bar and Ainscough went close, whist Paul Foy went closest for the home side.

Silsden ended the calendar year in the top half of the table. It’s been a testing first half of the season with 34 games played (24 in the league). With one match abandoned to be replayed, there are only 15 to play in the next four months! Silsden begin the year with consecutive home games against Whitchurch Alport on Jan. 5th and Abbey Hey on Jan 12th. The fans will be hoping for a good start to 2019!

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

LITHERLAND REMYCA. Morrow, Connor, Murphy (Jones 65), Dobson, King, Scott, Hamilton, Crist, Whewell, Quirk, Morris (Foy 59). Subs. not used. McShane, Tyson, Colbourn,

SILSDEN AFC. Jakovlevs, Moses, Everingham, Kaine, Illingworth, Rhodes, Storrie (Ainscough70), Mitchell, Sorhaindo (Gaughan 61), Kirkby, Sultan. Subs not used. Lee, Forrest.

Referee Mr. O. Noonan. Assistants. Mr. M. Johnson, Mr. G. Williams.

Photo courtesy of Nick Gerrard

The Hallmark League Premier Division 2018-19

Tuesday, 26th December, 2018

SILSDEN AFC 0 v 1 BARNOLDSWICK TOWN

     Coop (pen) 80                              Att. 237

SOFT PENALTY GIVES TEN-MEN BARLICK THE POINTS

          The Cobbydalers entertained local rivals Barnoldswick United in the “West Riding Derby” on Boxing Day, hoping to recover from a disastrous month, where they have only won only one game in the last seven, conceding twenty goals and scoring four.  It was always going to be a tough game against seventh-placed Barlick whose squad included numerous players who had played for Silsden.

          The home side were given a massive helping hand when Barlick’s Nathan Emery was dismissed in the thirtieth minute for a challenge on Matty Moses. From the touchline it looked hard on the Barlick player. With ten men Barlick defended well with Shaun Airey outstanding at the back and keeper Ryan Livesey supreme in the visitor’s goal. (Airey and Harry Thompson made their debuts for the Cobbydalers away at fourth- placed Salford City on March 28^th2006!)

          Silsden had Laurence Sorhaindo making his home debut. Moses returned to right back with Mark Everingham on the left. Chris Wademan was side-lined following a minor operation and Joe Gaughan was “unavailable”. Reece Lyndon has left the club.

          The game began at quite a pace with defences on top. Sorhaindo was blocked in the fifth minute but Airey cleared the free-kick for a corner.  A swift break by Barlick led to a header by Dale, which Jakovlevs saved at the expense of a corner. Then keeper Livesey dived at the feet of Sorhaindo after he had beaten two defenders. Sultan had a shot from the right saved by the Barlick keeper.     

          At the other end Andy Hill hit a ball to twenty-six goal Zac Dale, who broke past Dan Illingworth and Everingham before being closed down. Defences were one top with Illingworth and Kaine dominating at one end and Airey and Wilson at the other. Andy Hill hit two dangerous free-kicks into the Silsden area before denying Aiden Kirby a chance at the other end.

          Crorken’s foul denied Kirby a goal scoring chance. But he was not cautioned. Emery’s dismissal was immediately followed by a caution for Barnes for his first misdemeanour! Barlick tightened their back line and neither side could create a clear opening with both sides relying on “the long-ball”…meat and drink for Airey and Illingworth. On the stroke of half- time Mitchell went close to netting the opener.

          The opening exchanges of the second half followed a similar pattern. Sorhaindo fed Rhodes who shot but only to Livesey. The new boy then evaded three challenges before being halted on the edge of the box. The Cobbydalers best chance came on sixty minutes when Everingham put Sultan in the clear. Livesey made a fine save. Silsden had a sequence of corners. Barnes had the best chance but shot wide.

          At the other end Kaine blocked Jack Coop’s effort. Storrie came on and immediately broke down the left. He crossed into the box to Barnes but the former Barlick man shot wide. Luke Rhodes shot straight into the arms of Livesey.

          Silsden were to rue their profligacy! Ten minutes from  time,  Zac Dale found himself some space. With his back to goal there looked little danger but, inexplicably, Jacovlevs pushed him over. The whistle went for a spot kick. COOP buried the ball to the delight of the travelling fans!

          Storrie wasted another chance and Moses went close but Barlick held onto the three points. After last season’s promotion and a superb start to this season, Danny Forrest now has work to do to restore the confidence and desire of his players. The goals have dried up, especially for Kirby who ended last season with twelve goals in twelve games. The gap isn’t massive. BELIEVE.!!!

SILSDEN AFC. Jakovlevs, Moses, Everingham, Kaine, Illingworth, Bentham (Rhodes 34), Barnes, Mitchell, Sorhaindo (Storrie 72), Kirby, Sultan. Subs not used Ainscough, Lee, Forrest.

BARNOLDSWICK TOWN FC. Livesey, Eastwood (Young 34),Crorken, Wilson, Airey, Dale, Hill, Coop, Thompson (Morgan 49), Emery. Subs not used. Amos, Beckwith, Vincent.

Referee. Mr. C. Brown. Assistants. Mr. I. Claridge and Mr D. Chisnall

                                  ASHTON ATHLETIC FC 1  v  0 SILSDEN AFC                                              Moses (OG.) 23.                                                 Att. 54

          BELOW PAR COBBYDALERS FALL TO OWN GOAL

          The Cobbydalers travelled to Ashton in Makerfield for their sixth away game on the run. The surface was greasy and the pitch was one of the Division’s smaller ones. Athletic were soon on the attack moving the ball swiftly to willing runners, Adam Gilchrist shooting over the bar. For ten minutes it was one-way traffic and only Dan Illingworth seemed to stand in the way of an opener. Firstly the centre back denied Gilchrist then he headed Declan  Gallagher’s free-kick clear. The centre back even went close at the other end but his header from a corner went wide.

          Silsden first attack of note should have led to a shot at least. Joe Mitchell won the ball and slid it to Niall Sultan. The winger fed Mark Everingham who was in the clear but, instead of shooting, he cut inside and was closed down. Matt Reid cut in at the other end and shot over before Illingworth again cleared Declan Gallagher’s through ball. Arley Barnes managed to clear a corner before Luke Rhodes wasted a free-kick.

          When Barnes fed Kirby the striker drove the ball across the goal beyond the home keeper. Guffogg cleared. Everingham shot wide. With both sides finding it hard to get a shot on target, it was no surprise that the opener was an own goal, MOSES being the unlucky scorer when trying to block a shot.

          The pattern of play didn’t alter, with players failing to hit the target. Kirby volleyed over after good work by Barnes and Mitchell,  then Callum Wilson went close for Athletic. Rhodes headed Barnes’ free-kick wide then Nicholson fired over at the other end. Marcus Cusani shot over for Athletic. Team mate Reid shot over and Cusani shot weakly at Jakovlevs when in the clear.

          Maybe the conditions had a hand in proceedings particularly as the pitch got greasier. I certainly wasn’t “The Beautiful Game”.

          At the start of the second half Rhodes and Sultan created efforts for each other but there was no end product.  Both sides were profligate. Forrest brought on Joe Gaughan and new signing,  Laurance  Sorhaindo. Immediately Gaughan was in  the action but his header from a Barnes cross was wide. Barnes denied Cusani at one end before hitting a weak shot into the arms of Pearson.

          Silsden pressed with Sultan having a powerful shot saved. Gaps were left at the back where Josh Kaine was outstanding ,  breaking up several threatening attacks. Gaughan headed wide at the other end before the game went into stoppage time. Sultan took a deep corner, Illingworth headed it back into the box……Barnes shot wide. It summed up the game.

          To say that Forrest was unhappy was an understatement! He will be expecting a massive response when the Cobbydalers play the first home game for a month against high-flying Barlick on Boxing Day. The Reds are expecting a bumper crowd. The fans will be expecting a performance!

          On Saturday Silsden travel to Litherland. The Kick-off is 1pm.

ASHTON ATHLETIC. Pearson, Guffogg (Munro 70), Matthews, Gallagher, Cringle, Wilson, Reid, Webster, Gilchrist, Cusani, Nicholson. Subs not used. Watson, Mc Loughlin, Middlemore, Foulds.

SILSDEN AFC. Jakovlevs, Barnes, Moses, Kaine, Illingworth, Bentham, Rhodes (Gaughan 61), Mitchell, Everingham (Storrie 79),Kirby (Sorhaindo 61), Sultan. Subs not used. Lyndon, Lee.

Referee. Mr. M. Ryder.   Assistants. Mr J. Cliff and Mr. P. Woodward.