WONDER GOAL FROM MAGICIAN HARRY NETS THE POINTS

Pint-sized midfielder, Harry Thompson, gave a masterclass in the art of dribbling at Crilly Park to help the Cobbydalers maintain their good run. Thompson, who had already broken through the Rovers’ defence to give the Yorkshiremen the lead, scored a superb second on the stroke of half time to settle the Cobbydaler’s nerves. Picking the ball up in his own half, THOMPSON dipped his shoulders to beat Cooke before embarking on a mazy dribble which saw him weave past a further six opponents with the ball seemingly glued to his feet. He coolly slotted the ball home past DeGaris. The praise was unanimous.

One fan said “That was worth the admission price alone.”

Fortunately for the fans, football is still a game where the “little man” can star,Maradona, Zola, “Jinky” Jimmy Johnstone and the irrepressible George Best. Thompson was always in the thick of the action in a game played on a tight pitch, where the long ball was often used as the major weapon.

With Ettienne unavailable, Assistant Manager Dave Morgan brought in Danny McNulty onto the left wing, moving Matthew Morgan into midfield. Lewis Barker continued up front.

The tight Crilly Park is never an easy ground to play at with its considerable slope and the Cobbydalers had to show a lot of resolve in a physical game. The Cobbydalers are notoriously slow starters but this time they might have scored in the opening minutes, Barker seeing his sharp shot on the turn parried by DeGaris.

It wasn’t a vintage game and the Rover’s, playing up the slope, created their fair share of the chances. Shaun Airey recovered quickly to block Howard after the striker latched on to a sliced header and Skeet headed Waldeis’ superb cross wide. Silsden, at times, were mirroring their opponents by playing both narrow and long. Both defences were on top.

The opening goal came from a long ball, which Waldeis failed to clear. THOMPSON was round him in a flash. Cutting in from the right, the magician dribbled across two defenders before sliding the ball back across the keeper and into the net. At the other end McNair failed to get any contact on Smith’s free kick when the Cobbydalers gave him too much room.

The game was still open when Matty Morgan put Rob Barraclough through. The full-back timed his run to perfection but DeGaris smothered the ball with a brave dive. At the other end McNair thought he had scored. Gallagher broke up the left and crossed to the far post. McNair headed down. The ball was heading for the top corner but Daniel Thorpe pulled off a magnificent save.

Thompson’s “Wonder goal” followed and Chris Simpson should have made matters safe on the stroke of halftime when he rose above the defence, only to head wide with the keeper stranded.

Those who have visited Crilly Park know that the Rovers will throw the ball forwards when playing down the slope. Immediately on the restart Silsden conceded a corner. Throup failed to get a good contact on the ball and SMITH blasted home from short range. Silsden’s nerves began to fray and Bland hit a misdirected back pass into the path of Cooke. Cooke’s superb cross was met by Gallagher but the effort was wastefully off target. It was the closest the Rover’s would get to an equaliser.

Silsden began to play themselves out of trouble. McNulty was always a good outlet on the left where he combined well with Simpson. Barker worked tirelessly up front taking the pressure off his team-mates and Thompson was a constant threat, seemingly only to be halted by illegal means. Skett was cautioned.

Smith wasted one effort, blasting over the bar but he tested Thorpe with a low free-kick which pierced the defensive wall. The Silsden keeper gathered at the second attempt.

The Silsden defence held firm as Rover’s launched the ball forwards. Nettleton and Barraclough maintained their composure and Airey was solid but it was Throup who caught the eye. The big defender won ball after ball in the air but that wasn’t all. His tackles were timed to perfection and his touch was superb. Silsden were denied a possible third when Airey was upended in the Rover’s box. No one needed an action replay to see the foul. However the referee waved play on. Both Bland and Barker went close with headers as the Cobbydalers sealed their fourth win on the run in a game lit up with the mercurial dribbling of “Mini” Harry Thompson.

On Saturday the Cobbydalers entertain Hallam FC in the FA Cup. This is followed by a trip to Ramsbottom on Tuesday, Sept. 1^st.

ATHERTON LABURNUM ROVERS DeGaris, Johnson, Waldeis(Prince), Skett, McNair, Cartwright, Smith, Howard, Howarth, Gallagher, Cooke (Holmes)

SILSDEN AFC Thorpe, Barraclough, Nettleton, Airey, Throup, Bland, Thompson, M. Morgan, Barker, Simpson, McNulty.