SILSDEN AFC 3 v 0 SQUIRES GATE FC

Gaughan 10, 31, Att. 142

Douglas 42

COOL GAUGHAN LIFTS THE COBBYDALERS

When the illuminations (floodlights) went off fifteen minutes before kick-off, it looked as if the game would not go ahead. Fortunately for the Cobbydalers, the game did and they took all three points.

For only the second league game this season, the Cobbydalers scored three goals, all in the first half. The Cobbydalers went into the game with only bottom club, AFC Liverpool, having scored fewer goals. However, at the other end, only Barlick and Glossop North End have a meaner defence. Goals have been at a premium with Kevin Ryan sidelined, and much has fallen on the shoulders of Andy Lee and the defence.

Joe Gaughan provided the Cobbydaler’s fans with a couple of quality goals in the opening half, which was supplemented by John Douglas’ stunning free kick, against Squires Gate.

Chris Reape was able to name an unchanged side for the first time this season. The stability is paying off, although the manager is always on the lookout to improve the team. Having beaten third placed Winsford on Saturday, the Cobbydalers approached the match in confident mood but lowly “Gate” started brightly with some slick passing and movement. The Cobbydalers had two half chances in the opening two minutes but both Gaughan and Danny Bryan were undone by the bounce, on a surface which the groundsman had been unable to roll due to the weather. Indeed the visitors went closest, when Joe Skelmerdine volleyed Andrew Richards’ free-kick goalwards. James Mann was pleased that the shot was straight at him.

The Cobbbydalers took the lead on ten minutes when GAUGHAN drifted in from the right to slide the ball under the body of Neil Beesley. Minutes later Arley Barnes, already spoken to by the official, was cautioned for a push. Barnes was then undone by a bad bounce but Tim Hird was back to deny Louis Mayers.

Lee’s shot from out on the left lacked venom and Danny Bryan went close with a header before a passing move between Douglas, Lee and Gaughan created an opening for Bryan, who saw his fierce drive across goal just miss the far post. Arley Barnes was then adjudged to have handled a cross from the right. His second caution left the Cobbydalers with ten men for the remaining sixty-four minutes. The Yorkshire boys hit back almost immediately. GAUGHAN ran onto Lee’s through ball before guiding the ball wide of the despairing dive of Beesley to notch his second.

The second goal gave Silsden a cushion but they were let off the hook when Russell McKenna got the better of James Nettleton. McKenna fired into the side netting. With Bryan dropping back to cover for Barnes, the initiative swung to the visitors but only one cross, from Mayers, proved any threat, Jake McEneaney heading clear. Douglas, just in his opponents half and seeing Beesley off his line, went close with a speculative volley.

“Gate” were then reduced to ten men when Beesley dashed out of his area to block Lee’s volley, after Gaughan had split the defence. Beesley’s block was with his hand! DOUGLAS made it three with a free-kick which cleared the defensive wall leaving the stand in keeper rooted to the spot.

The second half started with Mayers heading wide and then Mann was caught out when he charged out of his area. Nettleton managed to break down the attack but a free-kick was awarded to the South Shore side. When McKenna shot over Mann’s bar midway through the second half and Skelmerdine shot wide after nipping between two defenders, the confidence seeped out of the visitors. Andy Lee shot wide from the edge of the box and Gaughan was put under enough pressure by Tom Benfield to prevent the striker completing his hat-trick.

With both sides reduced to ten men, the heavy pitch began to take its toll. Silsden only tested the stand-in keeper in the last ten minutes when substitutes Chris Wademan and Chris Williams added some pace. Wademan tested Beesley with a low drive and then went even closer with a deft header. Williams broke through in the final minute but his shot was just off target. After a super run by Scott Harries, Mayers shot over. It seemed to sum up the evening for the visitors.

The Cobbydalers now travel to Ashton Athletic where a victory would push them into the mid-table.

SILSDEN AFC Mann, Barnes, McEneaney, Hird(Williams 74),, Husband, Nettleton, Bryan Douglas, Gaughan(Wademan 69), Lee, Hargreaves(P. Hanson. 62)

SQUIRES GATE FC Beesley, Richards, Horn, Benfield, Taylor, Farrow, McKenna, McKendrick(Alexander 83), Shelmerdine(Cragg 87), Mayers, Harries.

Referee Mr. James Price.