RESOLUTE COBBYDALERS ALMOST SNATCH A LATE WINNER

This was a pulsating local derby with chances at both ends and plenty for the fans to mull over at the end. Colne, having played three more games than the Cobbydalers, had the chance to go second in the league had they won but the Silsden outfit were much more resolute than they had been in the F.A. Vase defeat to Tow Law Town.

The Cobbydalers were buoyed by the inclusion of both James Nettleton and Matthew Bland for their experience and composure. The defence looked much more solid and the midfield more confident. Silsden almost took the lead after only three minutes when Lawrence Hunter’s free kick was headed goalwards by Bland. Only an excellent save from Jamie Scott denied the Silsden midfielder.

Colne soon got into their stride, mixing up some swift one touch moves in midfield with long balls to striker Mark Threlfall. Ted Cockett’s break down the right led to a corner which Joe Garvin headed wide. When Threlfall outpaced Peter Hanson, Nettleton cleared the danger. A ball up the left from Garvin to Threlfall saw the Colne striker cut inside Arley Barnes before hitting a low shot which struck the outside of the near post, although Chris Thompson had it covered.

Another breakaway ended with Thomson able to gather Michael Cruz’s weak shot. Silsden themselves went close, when a fierce drive by Hunter was tipped over by Scott. The Silsden winger then tracked back to clear Crockett’s cross for a corner. Another Hunter free kick caused some panic in the home defence, before Gavin cleared after Scott had fumbled the ball.

Twice Threlfall got in good positions down the flanks but on both occasions his crosses were overhit. Hanson managed to block Cockett’s shot after excellent work by Goggin. At the other end, a fierce drive from an acute angle from Sam Heap brought another fine save from Scott, but it was Colne who finished the half the stronger. Billy Priestly headed wide and then a combination of Nettleton and Barnes denied Threlfall another shooting opportunity.

The second half saw no Silsden player manage to get contact on a ball, which had been driven across the Colne goal area. This was followed by a period of intense Colne pressure. Silsden couldn’t keep the ball as the home side switched the play from right to left. Crunching tackles from Nettleton and Bland and a goal-line clearance from Hanson denied Cruz, Cockett and Threlfall. Goggin’s mazy dribble was halted by Barraclough and Hird and Thompson harassed the Colne midfielders. When the ball was cleared, David Gray, who was left isolated, couldn’t hold the ball up. When Chris Thomson flicked over Garvin’s superb free kick it looked as if the Cobbydalers might hold out.

In the final ten minutes it was the Cobbydalers who came closest to breaking the deadlock. A great flick on by Lee Thompson found Hunter bursting through but this time the effort flew over the bar. Matthew Kershaw, on for Gray, almost nicked a goal in the dying seconds. A long ball from Barnes caught the home defence napping. Kershaw read the situation and drifted in behind the defence but keeper Scott, who was alive to the danger, made an excellent block.

At the final whistle the Cobbydalers looked more satisfied by the result but it could have gone either way. Both keepers made excellent saves and although Colne had more possession, the Cobbydalers defended with greater resolve. A great advert for North West Counties football.

On Saturday the Cobbydalers entertain St. Helens Town.

SILSDEN AFC. C. Thompson, Barnes, Barraclough, Matthew Bland, P.Hanson, Nettleton, Hird, L. Thompson, Heap(Jalil), Gray(Kershaw), , Hunter. Subs. dnp. Doogan, Lamb

COLNE FC. Scott, Cockett, Garvin(Crockern), Fletcher, Priestley, Pickup, Goggin(Boyle), Cruz, Threlfall, Brodrick, Hayes(S. Thompson) Subs dnp Johnson, Barton.