Match Details

Silsden AFC 1-4 Hallam FC

NCEL Premier Division

Tuesday 21st March

The Office Interiors Stadium

Match Report

Two controversial red cards saw nine-man Silsden defeated 4-1 by an in-form Hallam side on a rainy night at the Office Interiors Stadium.

Chris Salt would open the scoring for the visitors on 13 minutes and whilst the Cobbydalers hit back through Luke Brooksbank, A sending off for Arley Barnes changed the game.

After being adjudged to have handled inside the box, the experienced defender was shown his marching orders, Oliver Fearon doing the business from the spot to make it 2-1.

A second half sending off for Carlton Pownall didn’t help matters and the South Yorkshire side went on to further compile Silsden’s misery with goals from Salt and James Gregory.

The home side did in fact start the game on the front foot, Brooksbank flashing a number of efforts narrowly wide of Hugo Warhurst’s upright.

A Hallam corner would undo the Cobbydalers however, Salt finding plenty of space to power home a simple header for the opening goal of the game.

Brooksbank would level the scores soon after though, lashing home from close range after a loose ball dropped to him inside the penalty area.

Silsden attacker Joe Crosby was unlucky not to add a second on 27 minutes when his low effort drifted just wide of the left-hand post.

The complexion of the game changed just before halftime, what initially looked like a good save from keeper Hagie Damba, was given as a spot kick and red card against Barnes.

Despite going the right way, Damba was unable to keep out Fearon’s penalty and the hosts went into the break behind.

Things got even worse for Silsden after halftime.

Pownall, only brought on moments before was harshly sent off for a challenge on the Hallam winger, leaving the Cobbydalers with a huge mountain to climb.

Although they held on for a while, a third goal looked inevitable and it came through Salt who volleyed home a deep freekick in spectacular fashion.

A back post tap-in from Gregory completed the scoring for Hallam who take the three points back to South Yorkshire.

As for Silsden, its now eight games without a win but they face a struggling Goole side this Saturday at The Office Interiors Stadium.

Saturday’s game falls on Non-League Day, the club have organised a number of events to run alongside the match and are offering a £10 entry, pie and pint deal for fans wanting to experience local football.

 

Match Details

Eccleshill United 2-2 Silsden AFC

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 18th March

Mitton Group Stadium

Match Report

The spoils were shared in a Bradford derby between Eccleshill and Silsden at The Mitton Group Stadium as the visitors let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2.

Cobbydaler’s top scorer Luke Brooksbank’s double before the half-hour mark was cancelled out by Eccy goals either side of the break.

Despite the hosts dominating the second half, they were unable to find a winning goal giving Silsden their second draw in as many games.

In the early exchanges the visitors looked the most likely to open the scoring, Jacob Smith seeing a thunderous effort blocked before Ellis Hudson sent his shot wide on the follow up.

Brooksbank would grab the opener on 19 minutes, captain Kyle Hancock lifting a delightful ball over the top and leaving the young winger to smash home.

Hudson should have doubled the visitors lead soon after, when he rounded the Eccleshill keeper but with the goal at his mercy failed to hit the target.

His blushes were spared however as Brooksbank added his second of the afternoon with a poachers finish just inside the six-yard box just two minutes later.

Eccleshill would half the deficit from a freekick on 36 minutes, Hajie Damba made the initial save before Devonte Morton finished on the rebound.

After halftime the hosts took control of the tie, levelling through Luke Sidaway’s smart, low finish just two minutes after the restart.

With their tails up, Eccy took the game to Silsden, Damba making a fine save on 60 minutes with Arley Barnes behind him to clear away the danger.

Morton had a number of opportunities to win the game for the hosts, first sending a header wide before missing a gilt-edged chance in the final moments, smashing over from just yards out.

With that miss the score remained at 2-2, Silsden drawing for only the 3rd time this campaign. However having put an end to their losing run just last week, the Cobbydaler’s can be more than happy to see points back on the board.

They take on Hallam this Tuesday at The Office Interiors Stadium with the usual kickoff time of 7:45pm.

Silsden Lineup: Damba, Barnes, Stewart (Thompson, 61), Hancock (c), Smith, Laird, Hudson (Hoban, 61), Maltby (Grogan, 90), Normanton (Cissa, 73), Brooksbank, Crosby (Janneh Gitteh, 81).

Unfortunately due to a frozen pitch tomorrow’s game with Frickley Athletic has been called off.

A new date will be rescheduled and we’ll let you know the details in due course.

Joint manager Matt Cavanagh gave his thoughts on his sides performance in the 2-0 win over Hemsworth on Saturday.

That was a hard-fought victory on Saturday, how pleased are you with the performance?

“Yeah really pleased with Saturday’s performance, I thought the lads were outstanding and resilient in tough periods throughout the game.

They battled and controlled parts of the game which I thought was really, really good, especially on the 4G pitch. We missed the odd chance but so did they and overall it’s really pleasing to come away with three points.”

A sixth clean sheet this season, how impressed were you with the defensive unit and in particular Alex Laird who many considered MOTM on Saturday?

“Lairdy was outstanding wasn’t he? He was getting in the way of the ball, blocking when they were getting shots off in and around the box, he was vital Saturday night. It was also really important that he won his aerial duels as they were quite a big, physical side and he did that.

Overall it was a team performance, started from the front all the way back to our goalkeeper Sam who made some important saves and I thought the platform was there if we keep a clean sheet we are always dangerous in attack.”

After Sam Bradley’s goal we’ve now had 17 different scorers this season, do you like seeing everyone in the squad chipping in with goals?

“It’s only a positive really isn’t it, when you’ve got so many areas from which you can hurt teams. So yeah it’s something that we are always trying to develop, we want as many people to be as clinical and creative as they can.”

We’re now past the halfway point of the season, how happy are you with the squad’s overall performance so far?

“So far halfway through the season we’re probably a little more advanced than where we thought we would be at this stage but obviously we have a bit of a different side from when me and Luke took over.

Now, the lads have set a standard where now they’ve got to be trying to kick on and try and go a little bit further. We can only do that by keeping our standards high, turning up every week because there are no easy games at this level of football.

But yeah we keep going one game at a time and we’ll be focusing on Saturday at home to Frickley where I hope to see as many people down as we can before the festive period starts!”

Match Details

Hemsworth MW 0-2 Silsden AFC

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 12th December

Just Football MDC Sports Stadium

Match Report

Silsden solidified there place in the NCEL Premier Division promotion pack with an impressive 2-0 victory over a tough Hemsworth MW side yesterday afternoon.

Although under pressure for much of the game, centre-half Sam Bradley would open the scoring from a corner before Ant Brown’s volleyed finish ten minutes from time secured the win for the visitors.

Hemsworth themselves created plenty but a combination of brilliant defending and goalkeeping, as well as some poor finishing allowed the Cobbydaler’s to pick up a crucial three points.

Due to freezing conditions, the fixture was one of just three games to be played across both divisions of the NCEL and both teams seemed determined to put on a spectacle for the fans braving the cold.

Wels started the game the brighter, first sending a downward header into the arms of Sam Kelly and then just moments later seeing a goal-bound effort from Marcel Chipamunga cleared smartly off the line by Alex Laird.

The 3g pitch was allowing for neat passing plays, Silsden creating chances for Ellis Hudson and Joe Crosby who both sent their shots wide of the right hand post.

Lamin Janneh Gitteh looked certain to open the scoring on 17 minutes when neat footwork allowed him to round the keeper, but his low shot was cleared off the line by Harry Viggars.

Chances kept coming at both ends, Laird heading narrowly wide from a free-kick whilst a number of determined Silsden blocks prevented the hosts from grabbing the opener.

Hemsworth’s Chipamunga was causing problems for Silsden, Kelly being called into action to superbly deny the midfielder with his leg one-on-one, this was followed by the same man volleying narrowly wide after a cross from the right.

On 39 minutes, the deadlock would be broken.

Crosby wasn’t picked up from a corner and sent his effort crashing off the bar and into the path of Bradley who gratefully tapped home his first Silsden goal since joining the club in the summer.

After the break the Cobbydaler’s looked to extend their lead, Crosby almost poking home after a goal mouth scramble but keeper Ally Hughes was able to hold on.

Kelly would again continue his excellent form in between the sticks, getting down well to his left to deny Alex Washington’s fierce drive from the edge of the box.

With 10 minutes to go, good work down the left allowed Sumaili Cissa to cross for Brown who caught the ball sweetly on the volley and sent it flying into the back of the net.

As Wels looked to get back into the game, Laird looked determined to keep the clean sheet, throwing himself into tackles and blocks in order to repel every Hemsworth attack.

Hemsworth’s late miss summed up their afternoon, having rounded Kelly, Nash Connolly’s cutback was sent wide of the post much to his sides dismay.

A brilliant result for Silsden against tough opposition but a real team effort got them over the line.

The result sees the Cobbydaler’s just one point off Emley in that second-placed play off spot but the win also sees them match their tally of 12 victories from the last campaign.

Next up for Silsden is the visit of Frickley Athletic to The Office Interiors Stadium, an earlier kick-off of 1.30pm for that fixture.

Match Details

Hallam FC 2-3 Silsden AFC

NCEL Premier Division

Tuesday 6th December

Sandygate

Match Report

In an entertaining fixture at Sandygate last night, Silsden overcame both their opponents and the freezing conditions to secure a 3-2 win over Hallam in the NCEL Premier Division.

Despite going behind to a Keiren Watson strike, Ellis Hudson levelled things for the Cobbydalers with a superb curling effort just before the break.

Silsden added two more goals after half time, Hudson doubling his tally before defender Alex Laird made the score 3-1.

A late Hallam penalty made for a nervy end to the game, but an unbelievable last minute save from Silsden keeper Sam Kelly to deny his opposite number Hugo Warhurst secured the three points for the visitors.

For the first half hour of the game, neither side created anything major, Hallam fashioning a couple of half chances from set pieces including a half-volley that flew well wide of Kelly’s upright.

It would be the hosts who opened the scoring when a long ball over the top found Watson whose smart, low finish smashed off the near post and into the back of the net.

Playing uphill was always going to make for a difficult first half but the Cobbydalers battled hard and levelled the scores on 44 minutes.

After good work from Hudson and Lamin Janneh Gitteh won the visitors a corner, the ball dropped out to the former on the right wing and he curled in a trademark, left footed strike to restore parity.

Upon resumption of the second half, Silsden looked to set about their opponents and with the angle of the pitch behind them, quickly took the lead.

A Hallam defender couldn’t bring the ball under control outside his own box allowing Hudson to nip in and stroke a calm finish beyond Warhurst.

Things got even better for the West Yorkshire side just two minutes later.

A Talent Ndlovu corner was flicked on at the near post by Joe Crosby, with centre half Laird the man on hand to head home his first ever Silsden goal and make the score 3-1.

After the goal, the game began to settle once again, new Silsden signing Sumaili Cissa was denied a debut goal by the feet of Warhurst before Hallam headed a decent chance wide following a deep cross.

With the game nearing its end, Kelly would be called into action making a fine stop from point-blank range to deny the hosts.

On 88 minutes, the Countrymen we’re given a lifeline in the form of a spot-kick, Scott Ruthven converted, making for a nervy final few minutes.

Deep into added time, the hosts must have thought they had snatched a point when amazingly, keeper Warhurst connected sweetly with a half-volley, only to see it wonderfully tipped over by Kelly to ensure that Silsden would hold on for a valuable three points.

The result sees the Cobbydalers bounce back from two consecutive defeats and climb back up to 5th in the table. Another away day beckons this weekend with a difficult trip to Hemsworth MW on Saturday for a 3pm kickoff.

 

Match Details

Garforth Town 3-1 Silsden AFC

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 19th November

Bannister Prentice Stadium

Match Report

In a game of two halves, Silsden saw there five-game winning run in the NCEL Premier Division ended with a 3-1 defeat to high-flying Garforth.

First half goals from Dan Coupland, Nick Thompson and Sam Barker gave the Miners a 3-0 lead.

With Silsden chasing the game, Talent Ndlovu curled in his fifth goal of the season with a wonderful freekick but it wasn’t enough to bring the visiting Cobbydalers back into the tie.

Silsden’s Mark Hoban almost got them off to the ideal start, his half volley was tipped onto the post brilliantly by keeper Toby Wells, much to the midfielders dismay.

On 16 minutes the hosts would open the scoring.

Garforth caught Silsden on the break, sending a low cross into the box for Coupland to scuff home the finish.

It would be two just minutes later when a corner was given away cheaply and Thompson poked home at the near post.

Despite the Cobbydalers chasing the game, neither side created much until the 41st minute when another counter attack saw Barker set free inside the box, the midfielder slotting beyond Sam Kelly into the corner.

Ellis Hudson would have the opportunity to get one back before half time as a well crafted Silsden move allowed him to get a shot away from close range but the leg of Wells denied him.

After the break Silsden looked to pressure the Miners defence, winning a number of corners but to no avail, Joe Crosby also firing just over on the turn.

Whilst pressing forward, the visitors were susceptible to fast breaks, Carlton Pownall’s instinctive, last ditch challenge preventing James Burgess racing in behind.

Ndlovu would give Silsden a glimmer of hope on 78 minutes with a wonderful curling freekick, something their fans are becoming accustomed to seeing this campaign.

Garforth would hold on for the remaining minutes however, the defeat for Silsden a disappointing one but joint-manager Matt Cavanagh was still pleased with his sides performance:

”It might sound silly but I actually thought we played well as a team but we lost the game in a 20 minute bad spell in the first half which as we’ve discussed as team, we know isn’t acceptable

”I liked our control of the ball and the switching of play but I don’t think our craft and dial was there, it something we can work on and the lads know that”

The Cobbydalers will have the chance to put things right on Saturday as they host Bottesford at The Office Interiors Stadium, it’s a 3pm kick off for that one.

 

 

 

 

Match Details

Silsden AFC 5-1 Maltby Main

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 12th November

The Office Interiors Stadium – Att: 212

Match Report

A five-star Silsden performance saw then come away 5-1 winners over Maltby at The Office Interiors Stadium on Saturday.

Two quick-fire Joe Crosby goals gave the Cobbydalers a 2-0 lead heading into the break.

An Ellis Hudson brace and a late Lamin Janneh strike rounded off an emphatic performance from the home side.

A late Ellis Simpson consolation strike did little to take the shine off the result.

Following a well observed minutes silence for Remembrance Day, the game got underway.

Silsden looked to assert there dominance from the first whistle, Ant Brown firing a low effort into the side netting early on.

On 13 minutes, Crosby opened the scoring when the Miners failed to clear a cross and Brown headed the ball back into his path.

The 20-year old volleying in from close range.

Just six minutes later Crosby would have his second.

Brilliant battling from captain Talent Ndlovu to win the ball in midfield before he slipped in Crosby who rifled beyond Dylan Parkin in the Maltby goal.

Chances would keep coming for Silsden, Mark Hoban seeing his effort cleared off the line before Jacob Smith headed over from a corner.

Straight after the break the Cobbydalers would grab their third.

Brown cut the ball back for Hudson who opened up and curled a wonderful strike into the top left corner via the crossbar.

Hudson would again get on the scoresheet on 75 minutes, Crosby’s unselfish cutback leaving the former Bradford City winger a tap-in inside the six-yard box for 4-0

Silsden’s fifth goal perfectly encapsulated the performance.

A quick counter attack saw the ball switched from right-to-left at a fast pace, Crosby grabbing his second assist of the game with a low cross that was tapped home by an unmarked Janneh.

Maltby captain Simpson did pull one back with a curling effort from range in added time.

That’s five wins from five for this high-flying Silsden side as they move up to 4th in the NCEL Premier Division table.

They face a tough task on Saturday 19th as they travel to third-placed Garforth Town for what is bound to be an exciting clash between two of the divisions top promotion hopefuls.

Kick off for that one is 1pm.

Match Details

Goole AFC 0-4 Silsden AFC

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 5th November

Victoria Pleasure Grounds

Match Report

Silsden ran riot yesterday afternoon with an impressive 4-0 win over Goole at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds.

Ant Brown opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 15 minutes before Lewis Gardner grabbed his first goal of the season, with a wonderful solo effort.

The goals kept coming for the Cobbydaler’s as Joe Crosby made it three whilst Alex Stewart’s late finish rounded off an emphatic performance and made it four wins from four games.

Things almost got off to the perfect start for Silsden as Ellis Hudson raced through on goal, Alfie Neale in the Viking’s goal getting down well to deny him the opener.

Just 10 minutes later the visitors would open the scoring when the referee pointed to the spot after Brown was tripped inside the box.

Experienced striker Brown stepped up and calmly slotted the ball home for 1-0.

With their tails up, the Cobbydaler’s looked for a second, Talent Ndlovu testing the keeper with a low strike from range and Brown volleying narrowly wide from a corner.

On 42 minutes, young fullback Gardner powered forward on the left wing, cut into the box and beat two defenders before placing the ball into the far corner of the goal.

It was no less than Silsden had deserved and after the break, the pressure continued.

A long through ball saw Crosby race for a 50-50 with keeper Neale. Despite the latter getting there first, his clearance ricocheted back off Crosby and into the net.

The 20-year-old’s first goal since joining from Harrogate Railway just two weeks ago.

Things went from bad to worse for the Viking’s as on 78 minutes, midfielder Reece Kral was given his marching orders for multiple instances of dissent.

With the game nearing its end, substitute Lamin Janneh laid the ball off to Stewart who opened up and unleashed a fierce, low drive beyond Neale at the front post.

Another good result for Silsden who climb to 5th in the NCEL Premier Division table with 28 points from 15 games.

The Cobbydaler’s take on Maltby Main at The Office Interiors Stadium next Saturday as they look to continue the good form and remain part of the promotion chasing pack.

Match Details

Silsden AFC 2-1 Eccleshill United

NCEL Premier Division

Saturday 29th October

The Office Interiors Stadium – Att: 137

Match Report

A spectacular, late Silsden comeback saw them overcome local rivals Eccleshill 2-1 at The Office Interiors Stadium yesterday.

Despite Fernando Moke opening the scoring for the Eagles in the first half, a 78th minute own goal levelled the game.

Former Eccleshill captain Talent Ndlovu then curled a wonderful 25-yard free kick into the top corner to hand the Cobbydaler’s the three points.

The games early exchanges were very end-to-end, first Luke Brooksbank cut in from the left but his driven effort was tipped over by Ed Wilczynski.

Silsden keeper Sam Kelly was then called into action, doing well to push away a Luke Sidaway strike.

Lamin Janneh was next to try his luck for the hosts, looking to chip the keeper after Kyle Hancock played him in behind, Wilczynski was able to hold on however.

Centre half Alex Laird, looking for his first goal in Silsden colours then saw his headed effort clip off the top of the bar.

At the other end, Sidaway almost opened the scoring, racing beyond a high Cobbydaler’s line before sending his shot flying well over the bar.

Eccleshill would open the scoring on 40 minutes, Moke controlling the ball inside the penalty area and sending a left-footed curling effort into the bottom corner.

Silsden opted for a change of personnel early in the second half, experienced striker Ant Brown coming on for Joe Crosby, his ability to hold up the ball allowing the wingers to create more chances for the home side.

On 78 minutes, the Cobbydaler’s snatched an equaliser.

A smart backheel from Brooksbank set Lewis Gardner free down the left wing, his cross was heading towards Brown in the centre before Takuo Jitsukawa got there first and diverted the ball beyond his own keeper.

Just 5 minutes later Silsden would grab the winner with a moment of brilliance from Ndlovu, stepping up and bending a free-kick into the top-right corner beyond a diving Wilczynski.

The midfielder’s third goal in as many games secured the three points for The Cobbydaler’s, handing them their third win on the bounce and sending them up to 5th in the NCEL Premier Division.

Two away games await them next, a trip to Hallam on Tuesday before they travel to Goole for Saturday’s fixture.