MAINE ROAD 0 v 1 SILSDEN AFC

Heap 35 (pen) Att. 55

OUTSTANDING DEFENCE SEES COBBYDALERS THROUGH

Following their narrow defeat in the FA Cup replay at Crook Town in midweek, the Cobbydalers responded well with a composed performance against a Maine Road side which had won their two opening league fixtures in convincing style. Sam Heap put the Cobbydalers ahead, midway through the first half, from the penalty spot. A young but talented Silsden side showed great composure in the dying minutes, in the face of some intense pressure from “Road” to hang onto their narrow lead.

The victory was built upon keeper Chris Thompson and a solid back four in which Peter Hanson and Ben Lamb were dominant in the middle. On the flanks Rob Barraclough and Arley Barnes were outstanding both in their tackling and distribution.

Maine Road who have always played the game on the ground, using the full width of the pitch, were soon into their stride. Struminskij hit one shot on target and one wide and O’Shea headed over the bar in the opening exchanges. When Lee Reilly was on the end of a lucky deflection at the other end, he shot straight at Jones in the Maine Road goal. The Mancunians maintained the pressure with dangerous crosses from Moran and Inyang, whilst the impressive Hirst shot straight at Chris Jones.

When Arley Barnes fed Sam Heap, the striker slid the ball to Reilly, who saw his shot deflected for a corner. Lee Thomson then drove forwards from midfield to test Jones before Chris Thompson made an excellent save from Rothel. Silsden were coming to terms with the pace of the game and the best move of the game to date, a far-post cross from Barnes headed back by Reilly, only ended when Heap’s shot struck the keeper’s legs.

Heap nearly opened Silsden’s account when he lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper’s outstretched arms in the thirtieth minute. The ball rebounded off the far post. It wasn’t long before Heap gave the Cobbydalers the lead. Chasing a ball in the area, the striker was upended by Gresty. HEAP coolly slid the penalty wide of keeper Jones.

Maine Road’s response was swift. A cross from the right was chested down by Inyang, into the path of Beckford, who hit a powerful volley. Chris Thompson’s save brought gasps from the home supporters. Reilly nearly made it two for Silsden but was denied by a combination of Moran and Jones.

It had been a compelling half and the pace was maintained throughout the second period. Lee Thomson brought another superb save from Jones and O’Shea shot wide at the other end. Peter Hanson denied Hirst and then Moran blasted over, after good work by Struminskij. Silsden were constantly stretched in midfield where Tim Hird and Darren Fletcher were outnumbered but the back four held firm. Similarly, the Maine Road midfield lacked defensive cover and both Heap, with a shot on the turn, and Barnes, with a low drive, tested the home defence. Reilly went close again. Having skipped past his defender, he curled his shot marginally wide.

As the game entered the final quarter, Silsden were pushed further and further back. The Mancunians should have equalised when Rothel was clear but he slipped, with the goal at his mercy. Hirst then hit the bar with a header from a corner. Caretaker manager, Mick Tillotson, replaced his strikers, Reilly, Heap and David Gray, (who was impressive in the air) with Jamie Longley, Jordan Barker and Andy Doogan. Longley was used to hold the ball up front and Barker and Doogan to tighten the midfield.

It was touch and go whether the Silsden defence would hold out. Fortunately Chris Thompson made another critical save from Struminskij and Doogan headed Rothel’s dangerous cross clear, before the final whistle went.

If this brand of football is seen in Silsden, the locals will be in for a treat. Although there were eight new faces in the starting line up, the team seem to be gelling quickly. There will be ups and downs but the signs are good.

The next game for the Cobbydalers is at home on Saturday. Sept 4^th in the FA Vase against Tow Law.

MAINE ROAD FC Jones, Moran, Rothel, Jay, Gresty, Struminskij, Beckford(Gittings), Brocklehurst, Inyang(Holden), O’Shea, Hirst. Subs dnp Ford, Walker, Grice

SILSDEN AFC C. Thompson, Barnes, Barraclough, Fletcher, Lamb, P.Hanson, Reilly(J. Barker),

L. Thompson, Heap(Longley), Gray(Doogan), Hird.