SILSDEN AFC 2 v 2 PADIHAM FC

M. Morgan(pen)60, Morrison 4,

A. Whiteoak 70. Ridehalgh 43. Att.78

SILSDEN RECOVER AFTER A SHAKEY START

The Cobbydalers, who were playing their second game in succession against promoted sides, produced something of a “Jeckell and Hyde” performance against Padiham. Padiham themselves had overcome a two-nil deficit in their opening game to win 3-2 and, whilst this looked an unlikely outcome at half time, Silsden might well have snatched all three points had they taken all their chances in the final twenty minutes.

With five new recruits to the team it will take time for the team to gel and, as on Saturday at Bootle, several players were rather circumspect, hoping that someone would light the touch-paper. A misunderstanding in the first minute between Jerome White and Daniel Thorpe almost led to the opener but James Nettleton cleared off the line. Centre back Robert Morgan was then unfortunate that his low header out of the box fell to Damien MORRISON who blasted it back into the top corner of Thorpe’s goal, despite the keeper’s valiant effort. The nerves were evident when Matthew Morgan passed the ball into the path of Ridehalgh, setting up another chance for the visitors. This time Martin Bland cleared the danger.

Harry Thompson then began to probe for openings and Mathew Morgan had a fierce shot blocked whilst Adam Whiteoak just failed to get onto Thompson’s through ball. Silsden continued to misplace passes until Matthew Morgan broke down the left only to misdirect his final pass. Whiteoak followed suit after a break down the right initiated by Nettleton. A sliced clearance by Robert Morgan gave Padiham another opportunity. Morris beat Thorpe to the ball but Sean Airey cleared the header off the line.

Chris Simpson and Thompson combined well but the Padiham defence closed down the midfielder. A break down the right caused Silsden problems. A superb cross beat all but the experienced Nettleton who cleared again off the goal line. All to no avail! With two minutes to the break Padiham doubled their lead. A break down the middle through a stretched defence led to a second goal from close range for RIDEHALGH. Airey and Nettleton blocked further shots as Padiham went for the jugular.

The team went off with heads bowed at half time. They were in need of inspiration. The catalyst was Shaun Airey. Losing his partner Robert Morgan(replaced by Stephen Throup) early in the half, Airey began to show the rest of the team the way. He was superb in the air and on the ground where he won a sequence of tackles. The other players began to respond. Joel Ettienne, a peripheral figure in the first half, began to open up the Padiham defence with telling passes and Bland began to push his men forwards. A superb cross from Thompson on the right was headed wide by Bland. Silsden were gaining momentum although they were very fortunate when Lee Morris missed the proverbial sitter from three yards out. Morris was as surprised as anyone when the ball fell at his feet from a long throw in.

Nettleton and Bland then worked an opening for Whiteoak who was pulled back by the shoulder in the penalty area. Matthew MORGAN coolly slotted home the spot kick. He grew in confidence. The whole team grew in confidence. Morgan’s superb cross-field ball was returned into the box by Nettleton but the stretched defence managed to clear the danger. With Simpson pulling the centre backs wide Whiteoak was beginning to find space. Only a despairing dive from Davis denied Whiteoak a goal but the stiker was determined to make a mark on the game. Whiteoak is the sort of player who will chase and harry the defence and force errors. Having just failed with a header from Morgan’s corner the striker finally got the goal he deserved. Drifting away from the defence, WHITEOAK caught the keeper unawares with a sweetly hit snap shot from the edge of the box.

Minutes later Thompson broke down the right and hit a deep cross to the back post. Morgan reached the cross, which had beaten the Padiham keeper, but he shot agonisingly wide. Ettienne continued to create space with some neat footwork. His chip to Simpson nearly led to a winner but the striker, with his back to goal, only managed to direct his header into the arms of the keeper. At the other end Walsh broke down the left but Airey cleared the danger. A ball from e White reached Thompson who crossed to Whiteoak. This time the striker’s shot lacked power and the team shared the points, probably a fair result in the circumstances. Manager Schofield was upbeat. Last season the team had gone to Runcorn on the opening day and performed well but lost. “Last season two games no points, this season two games, one point! We now have to build on the performance of the second half”

SILSDEN AFC Thorpe, Nettleton, White, Airey, R. Morgan (Throup), Bland, Thompson, Ettienne, A. Whiteoak, Simpson(Shah), M. Morgan. Subs. dnp. Barker, D.Whiteoak, Barraclough.

PADIHAM FC Davis, Walker, Walsh, Parkes, Chadwick, Morrison, Ridehalgh(Wilkinson), Telfor, Morris, Holt(?), Taylor(Haworth) Subs. dnp Gornall, Lee.