SILSDEN AFC 3 v 1 COLNE FC

Airey37, Tindall 77.

Throup 45,

A. Whiteoak 77 Att. 56

CENTRE-BACKS HEAD COBBYDALERS INTO NEXT ROUND

Headed goals from corners towards the end of the first half from Shaun Airey and Stephen Throup saw Silsden progress to the next round of the FA Cup,at the expense of near neighbours Colne. Adam Whiteoak made the result safe midway through the second half before Tindall netted a consolation goal for the visitors.

Manager Paul Schofield replaced the injured Robert Morgan with Stephen Throup whist Rob Barraclough took the place of Jerome White at left back. The early exchanges were cagey with both teams keen to keep a clean sheet. Tindall’s break down the right was followed by a weak shot before Whiteoak broke free onto Chris Simpson’s flick on. Unfortunately the ball spun away from the striker. Silsden were rather casual in defending Threlfall’s long range free kick, allowing the ball through the defence. Fortunately it went wide. Colne were playing some neat football but the end product wasn’t forthcoming whilst at the other end both Nettleton and Thompson put in telling crosses.

The officials were then in the centre of two controversial incidents. Throup, who had stayed up in the opponents’ box following a corner, appeared to be tripped when heading for goal. The referee waved play on. With Throup down injured Colne broke away. The Cobbydalers defence was at full stretch. Hayes broke down the left and crossed. The ball was partially cleared but laid back to Hayes who crossed for Cruz to score. The assistant flag was raised for offside much to the relief of the home fans.

Three times Silsden gave the ball away cheaply, twice being rescued by defensive cover. On the third occasion Cruz blasted high over the bar. Silsden took the lead after thirty seven minutes when AIREY rose above a static defence to head home Morgan’s pin-point corner. Colne’s response was immediate. They virtually camped out in the Cobbydalers half but the defence held firm. Thorpe saved well from Tinker, who was pulling the strings and both Throup and Airey threw themselves in to block fierce shots. Airey was again on hand when Cruz broke through.

On the stroke of half time the “action replay” took place. Another inswinging corner from Morgan was headed home by THROUP who hardly had to jump for the ball.

The late goal took the stuffing out of the visitors and Silsden went for the jugular. A long ball from Nettleton on the restart fell at the feet of Whiteoak out on the right. The striker hit a sumptuous volley in towards the near post where Kenyon made an outstanding save. Another corner. More panic in the Colne defence. This time the ball fell to Throup’s feet but Kenyon dived bravely to keep Colne in the game. Silsden grew in confidence. Whiteoak headed Morgan’s cross just past the near post whilst Simpson and Thompson were combining well on the right. Bland and Etienne were in control of the middle of the park. For a moment it looked like “Total football”. Nettleton was in the thick of the attack linking with Simpson before threading the ball through to WHITEOAK who rounded the keeper and slid the ball home. Barraclough and Morgan began to splay passes across the park. Thompson might have got a fourth but his final shot lacked pace.

Silsden took their foot off the gas and then Cruz finally got the better of Airey. Thorpe was swiftly off his line to gather the ball. Eventually Colne netted through TINDALL whist the home defence went AWOL. It gave the visitors a lifeline. Thorpe managed to block Tindall’s sharp shot with his body. Substitute Garbutt followed up but the Silsden keeper was down swiftly to smother the effort. Gizon then shot on the turn but Thorpe was equal to it. Substitutes McNulty, Barker and Damian Whiteoak were introduced late in the game, Barker hitting the roof of the net with a sweet volley before the final whistle went.

A week is a long time in football. Seven days ago the Cobbydalers opened the league season with a dismal display. This was followed by a great comeback in midweek against Padiham. Now they march on in the FA cup. Wembley is still a long way off.

Hallam will be the visitors in the next round. This will be their third visit to Cougar Park in the Cup. Both games went to replays, Silsden winning a thrilling replay in 2004 and Hallam gaining revenge in 2006. Before then the Cobbydalers are away at Ashton Athletic on Saturday and on the road to Atherton LR on Tuesday 25^th August.

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

COLNE FC Kenyon, Hargreaves, Crokern, Wright, Hayes, Britton, Tindall, Cruz, Threlfall(Gizon), Tinker(Garbutt0, Stansfield(Broderick). Subs dnp.Broderick, Crossley.