ASHTON ATHLETIC 1 v 3 SILSDEN AFC

Brierley 90. Heap 9, 67,

Longley 24(pen) Att. 41.

HEAP’S BRACE SEES THE COBBYDALERS UP AND RUNNING

The Cobbydalers notched their first points of the season at Brocstedes Park against Ashton Athletic, who, having been relegated on the final day of last season, found themselves back in the Premier Division following the late withdrawal of Nelson F.C. A new management team of Chris Brookes and Ian Barker have wiped the slate clean, bringing in a numerous players with a mix of youth and experience. One might almost say the same about the Cobbydalers although, of last season’s players, only Chris Simpson has departed to another team.

Having been expected to play in Division One, the Athletic were dealt a cruel hand on the opening day of the season, having to travel to promotion favourites, Newcastle Town. They lost six-nil. The Cobbydalers went down one-nil to Atherton LR.

The game was only nine minutes old when Silsden opened their account. On the edge of a tight penalty area, Lee Thompson managed to cut inside two defenders before setting up Sam Heap. HEAP hit a low shot wide of Danny Fradd to give the Cobbydalers the early advantage. When Fradd was penalised for picking up a back pass minutes later, it looked as if nerves would get the better of the home side However, as they continued to do throughout the match, Silsden wasted the free-kick.

The Athletic were also profligate in this department, Ian Dickenson blasting over from outside the area. Ashton’s Ian Barker wasted a good chance when Chris Mackay chested the ball down to him inside the penalty area. Although the home side passed the ball in neat triangles, they lacked a cutting edge and it was the visitors who scored next. When Heap freed up Lee Reilly, instead of closing him down, keeper Fradd lunged in with a reckless tackle just inside his area. Jamie LONGLEY netted the spot kick.

Silsden might have gone on to cruise to comfortable victory but Ashton still tried to create chances. Winger, Chris Dowling, was always a threat on the left and when Rob Barraclough miscued in the goal area, it was Barker who missed another golden chance, stubbing his toe when he had, once again, been set up by Mackay. Longley cleared the resulting corner.

As the home side pushed forwards in the second half, space began to open up for Reilly and Heap. A shot, on the turn, from the former was saved by Fradd, before Barker missed yet another opportunity at the other end. A superb long ball from Barraclough found Heap in space but this time Fradd managed to push the striker wide. Heap’s shot hit the side netting. Lee Thompson, who was beginning to take charge in midfield, set up Reilly again but Fradd managed to block the shot with his feet.

As the home defence began to tire, mistakes were made, and Silsden were awarded another penalty when Thomson was upended. Again Longley broke up his run up but this time Fradd got a strong hand on the ball. Manager Reape was not amused! The game should have been over but the save gave Ashton some hope. When the Silsden defence allowed Sean Pearson to cruise through, only a timely interception from Barraclough prevented an equaliser.

A long ball out wide from Peter Hanson found Longley on the right. Chesting the ball down, Longley broke forwards before unleashing a superb cross. Reilly rose to head back across goal but marginally wide. Substitute David Eatock squandered another opportunity before Silsden finally settled the match. Another long ball from Barraclough caught out the Ashton defence and, although Heap was impeded, the referee played a good advantage. HEAP held off the challenge to coolly lob the Ashton keeper.

Silsden might have added further goals before the end. Lee Thomson, having broken through with some sharp inter-passing, shot wide; Reilly shot across the face of goal following a through ball from Jordan Barker and twice, substitute Martin Payne found himself in the clear but neither Reilly nor Longley spotted him.

In the final seconds of the game a cross shot from Jack BRIERLEY was deflected into the Silsden net. It was hard on Chris Thompson who had had a quiet night in the Cobbydalers goal.

A satisfactory evening for the Cobbydalers. Ben Lamb looked sound at the back and Darren Fletcher settled well in midfield. Darren Munday competed well at right back although he is far from the finished article. It will take time for the players to gel but at least the Cobbydalers are on the move.

On Saturday, after a seven year exile, Silsden are back home, against Crook Town in the FA Cup and on the following Tuesday they travel to newly promoted Barnoldswick Town.

ASHTON ATHLETIC Fradd, Hulme(Eatock), Dickinson, Bradshaw(Hardman), Ashcroft, Watson, MacKay(Hough), Pearson, Barker, Brierley, Dowling. Subs. not used. Charnley, Wilson.

SILSDEN AFC C. Thompson, Munday, Barraclough, Fletcher, Lamb, P.Hanson, Longley(D.Whiteoak), L. Thompson, Reilly, Heap( J. Barker), Hird(Payne). Sub. not used.

S. Hanson.