The Hallmark League Premier Division 2018-19

Saturday, 13th April 2019

             ABBEY HEY 1 v 2 SILSDEN AFC 

                    ZUCOTTI  57.          KIRBY 18, MITCHELL 59.    Att. 52.

          KIRBY AND MITCHELL SEE COBBYDALERS HOME

          The Cobbydalers travelled to The Abbey Stadium for a game against already relegated Abbey Hey. With Abbey Hey having lost their previous seven games, the game seemed set up for a Silsden victory. That said, the Cobbydalers have a mixed record at The Abbey Stadium. The conditions were not in favour of a classic. The pitch had been rolled on Thursday but the groundsman acknowledged that “it had had no impact at all!” The pitch had a reasonable grass cover but the surface was bone-hard and uneven. Along with that was a strong, gusty wind.

          Before the game Danny Forrest had told the players that he was going to give some of the new recruits some game time and established players would be on the bench. Daniel Hill came in at centre-back for Dan Illingworth but he had to be substituted on nine minutes after a heavy fall. Illingworth replaced him.

          There was little to write home about in the opening minutes as both sides struggled to maintain possession. The Abbey finally got a shot in on thirteen minutes but Adam Barlow’s effort sailed over the bar on the wind. The Mancunians were indebted to centre-back Ashley Oparah minutes later for heading away a Joe Mitchell free kick. However Aidan KIRBY put the Yorkshiremen in front two minutes later after some slick passing in the Abbey penalty area.

          Adam Barlow, on the right wing for the Abbey, broke down the touch line but Josh Kaine snuffed out the danger. Luca Zuccotti worked hard up-front but he was isolated and defending was fairly routine for the Silsden boys.

          Twenty-five minutes in, the sparse crowd saw a glimpse of “the beautiful game”. Chris Wademan hit a cross-field ball out to the right where Matty Moses was bursting forwards. His cross was slid into the middle to Kirby but once again the uneven bounce and the wind intervened.

          Everingham set up Mitchell but his effort was over the bar. At the other end Owen Whitehead was denied by Illingworth before another effort cleared the bar. Josh McKiernon hit a ball out to Mitchell who drove the ball to the far post. Illingworth headed it goalwards but Ross Heywood gathered it. The keeper then saved from Kirby.             

          At the other end Brandon Byers-Wilkes drove an effort goalwards. The ball dipped suddenly and Jakovlevs managed to push it away. At the other end the keeper saved well from Mitchell.

          The second half followed a similar patter with chances depending on the wind and the bounce. Illingworth cleared one effort. The ball broke to Kirby but, as he burst forwards, Heywood cleared outside the goal area. Eventually Jakovlevs was caught out by the wind. He managed to push the ball out but only to ZUCOTTI who levelled the scores. Two minutes later Silsden were back in front. Kirby latched onto Bentham’s through ball and fed MITCHELL, who made it 2-1.

          Kirby might have netted twice more, firstly after a slick move involving Kaine, Moses and Wademan and secondly, with a looping volley. With the one goal margin, Abbey Hey still had something to contribute. Oparah volleyed over and Barlow’s shot was too high. Bentham hit an effort straight at the keeper. Substitute Townend hit an effort over in the dying minutes.

          The Cobbydalers now face four games in eight days. On Saturday they travel to the Potteries to face Hanley Town. On Easter Monday it’s the short visit to Barnoldswick. K.O.3.00pm.  On the following Wednesday, in-form Vase semi-finalists, Northwich Victoria, are the visitors (8.00pm). This is followed, on Saturday, by the visit of Burscough for the final game.

ABBEY HEY FC.  Heywood,  Edwards, Oko, Parr, Oparah, Whitehead, Barlow, Haydock, Zuccotti, Dale (Hopkins 73.), Byers-Wilkes (Maguire 55). Subs not used. Tongein,  Humphries, Vatro.

SILSDEN AFC. Jakovlevs, Moses, Everingham, Kaine, Hill (Illingworth 9), Bentham,  Barnes, Mitchell, Wademan (Tomas 78), Kirby, McKiernon (Townend 64). Subs not used. Rhodes, Darkins.

Referee Mr. D. Bruce. Assistants. Mr J. Naisbett and Mr. L. Budworth.

The Hallmark League Premier Division 2018-19

Saturday, 6^th April 2019

Silsden AFC 2-0 Padiham FC

Wademan 77, 88(pen)

SUPER-SUB WADEMAN SEALS THE VICTORY

          Playing only their second game since February 23^rd, the Cobbydalers left it late to record a home win. The game finally came alive when Chris Wademan replaced Aidan Kirby. Within two minutes WADEMAN opened the scoring when he burst through the Storks defence with Niall Sultan offering support. The visitor’s defence was stretched allowing the Silsden marksman to blast the ball past Henry Bunting- Smith.

          Before the opener, Padiham had worked hard to protect their goal as they aimed to pull further away from the relegation zone. Recent victories against bottom placed Abbey Hey 4-0 and lowly Hanley Town 1-0 had given them a boost. They had looked solid at the back and whenever there was an opening for the Cobbydalers the door was soon closed by fair means or foul.

          The Cobbydalers only game in the six week spell had been a goalless draw against 1874 Northwich, a result put into perspective by 1874’s two victories against third-placed Congleton five –nil and two-nil.

          Silsden began Saturday’s game with skipper Josh Kaine setting up the first attack. Kaine cut across his own penalty area and released Matty Moses who burst down the right. He crossed to Kirby who saw his effort blocked. The Storks responded with Lee Knight cutting a ball back to Mark Haslam but his cross was easily dealt with.

          Kaine was superb at the back, reading the game so well that any breaks were quickly snuffed out.  His partner at the back, Dan Illingworth was supreme in the air. Midway through the half Kaine, Moses and Kirby worked another chance but the striker was closed down, missing the decoy runs of the injured Laurence Sorhaindo.

          Joe Mitchell set up a chance for Luke Rhodes but the midfielder headed over. Three minutes later Rhodes saw a low dive blocked but his follow up was too high. Silsden continued to dominate the ball but chances were few. In the dying minutes of the half Mitchell and Kirby combined. Rhodes effort was the closest Silsden got to an opener.    

          The Storks first attack in the second half led to a corner. Illingworth headed clear. It was ten minutes before either set of forwards created a chance, Kirby hitting Arley Barnes’ chip over the bar. On sixty minutes Rhodes and Josh McKiernon were replaced by Niall Sultan and Jordan Townend.  Immediately Sultan’s attempted scissor kick lifted the crowd.

          Silsden had some momentum and finally the yellow card was shown to two “Storks”! Barnes hit a left footer over the bar before Thomas Hulme headed a golden chance wide at the other end.

          Enter Wademan! His opener opened the game up. Finally the game was settled when WADEMAN blasted home a penalty after Alan Zuqolli had brought down Sultan in the box. The talisman almost netted Sultan’s low cross a minute later. He did squeeze a later effort home but the whistle had gone for an infringement.

          It hadn’t been a classic by any means and, despite training well, the lack of match fitness was evident. For Danny Forrest it was a game “well managed” with Silsden “patient and controlling the game”.   

          Next Saturday Silsden travel to Abbey Hey. The League’s bottom team won the corresponding game in January at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium one-nil !

SILSDEN AFC. Jakovlevs, Moses, Everingham, Kaine, Illingworth, Bentham, Barnes, Mitchell, Rhodes (Townend 60), Kirby (Wademan 75), McKiernon (Sultan 60). Subs not used Tomas, Hill.

PADIHAM.  Bunting-Jones, Haslam, Monson (Hoskin 45), Zuqolli, Hancox (Morning 80), Howell (Unsworth 86), Pope, Reeves, Hulme, Knight, Ralph. Sub not used. Morrison.

Referee. Mr. G. Thomas.  Assistants. Mr. K. Dawson and Mr. K. O’Donnell

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.