PADIHAM FC 2 v 1 SILSDEN AFC

Morris39, Ryan 25

Taylor 55 Att.133

FROM THE JAWS OF VICTORY!

Imagine the scene. Silsden are leading one-nil when Padiham are reduced to ten men on thirty five minutes. Nothing looked more likely than the Cobbydalers taking the points. If only it was so simple. Six minutes before the break Sean Airey tried to dribble out of defence and was dispossessed to gift the Lancastrians an equaliser, MORRIS sliding the ball under the diving Phillis. Worse was to come. On fifty-five minutes, with little danger, TAYLOR swung over a cross from wide on the right touchline. Phillis misjudged the flight of the ball, which flew into the top corner of the Silsden goal. Call it a fluke or a goalkeeping error, it gave the home side the lead and confidence.

Silsden had plenty of time to seek an equaliser and even a winner but the Cobbydalers lost their way whilst Padiham got their tactics spot on, getting as many men as possible behind the ball and using Morris and Ridehalgh to work the Silsden defence. Silsden failed to take advantage of their numerical superiority, often launching the ball into the box in hope or being forced into the overcrowded middle of the pitch, where space was at a premium. No more was this illustrated more clearly than by the deployment of the left-footed Danny McNulty on the right and the right footed Harry Thompson on the left. Natural instincts took both players infield when Silsden needed to pull the defenders wide and attempt to get to the byline. When the players did return to their “natural” sides chances were created.

Nettleton sent Ryan free. The ball was moved to Thompson on the right who cut in, only to be halted by Walsh’s superb tackle. McNulty also created a chance for Simpson but the striker couldn’t bring the ball down quickly enough before Davis gathered it at the second attempt. Simpson also tried a speculative overhead kick with other players in better positions. High balls into the Padiham box caused no problem at all. The only save Davis had to make was Rob Barraclough’s shot in the eighty-third minute. At the other end, Airey and Morgan were stretched by the running of the Padiham strikers. The Lancastrians best chance came from a corner. Two close range efforts were blocked by defenders before Phillis finally cleared the ball with his feet.

The game had started promisingly for Silsden with Hird and Thompson both going close in the opening minutes. Simpson sent over a superb cross from the right after Nettleton had split the defence but neither of the strikers could reach the ball. Padiham were excellent on the break, Taylor being guilty of wasting their first chance. Debutant James Russell, fresh from scoring the winner for the reserves, rattled the Padiham bar in the sixteenth minute. (Russell had to be replaced early in the second half with a muscle pull.) Next Taylor broke down the right for Padiham, sending over a deep cross. Phillis managed to beat Taylor to the ball by a finger-tip.

It was Saturday’s two-goal hero, Kevin RYAN, who opened Silsden’s account, striking a drive above the outstretched arms of Davis. Padiham should have equalised but Ridehalgh shot wide following a one-two with Morris. Williamson was then sent off for violent conduct.

Chances came at both ends. Simpson just failed to reach Thompson’s cross and Hird tested the home keeper. At the other end Taylor hit a volley over the bar and Phillis dropped a cross allowing Telfer to cut in and shoot, fortunately wide of the goal. Thompson then sent Ryan free. The striker held off his marker before shooting from the edge of the box. The shot went marginally over.

The rest, as they say, is history. Defeat from the Jaws of Victory!

PADIHAM FC Davis, Walker, Walsh(Haworth), Overson, Williamson, Parkes, Morrison, Ridehalgh, Morris(Stanford), Taylor(Dignan), Telfer. Subs. dnp. McKenzie, Chadwick.

SILSDEN AFC Phillis, Nettleton, Barraclough, Airey, R. Morgan(Hanson), Throup, Simpson , Hird, Russell(McNulty), Ryan, Thompson Subs. dnp Bathers.