WINSFORD UNITED FC 1 v 3 SILSDEN AFC

Hoyland 39 Ryan 35, 89

Simpson 79(pen) Att. 92

RYAN MARKS HIS DEBUT WITH A BRACE

Striker Kevin Ryan, making his full debut for the Cobbydalers, struck two goals to get the Cobbydalers back on the winning trail. In a thrilling contest which swung first one way and then the other, Ryan was the difference, with six out of six shots on target. He was only denied all six by three saves from the Saltmen’s keeper, Karl Parker, of which two were outstanding, and an error by Cobbydaler’s substitute Peter Hanson.

Fifth-placed United began confidently despite playing under their third manager of the season, going close on several occasions, before the Cobbydalers settled. In Silsden’s first attack Rob Morgan saw his shot blocked but when Chris Simpson picked the ball up, Winsford pounced on his misplaced pass to break forwards. The attack came to nought but a swift move down the left between Warburton and Rutter led to a clear chance, which the former slid wide of Thorpe’s far post. Playmaker Hancock hit a sharp drive, which was deflected for a corner. Warburton’s corner was cleared off the Silsden goal line by Nettleton.

Silsden finally showed as an attacking force midway through the half. Nettleton laid the ball up the right to Sean Clifford who slid it into the path of Ryan. Turning sharply the debutant hit a rising drive, which Parker tipped over. Simpson then controlled a high ball midway into the Winsford half, before hitting a superb volley up to Ryan. The striker killed the ball immediately but Parker was swiftly off his line to smother the shot. Finally the opener came. A long throw-in by Stephen Throup was flicked on by Clifford and RYAN hammered it home from close range.

The Saltmen responded immediately when Rutter shot narrowly wide. The equaliser came when Thorpe underhit his goal kick. HOYLAND picked the ball up twenty two yards out and hit a superb curling shot beyond the reach of the Silsden keeper. The Silsden keeper was to redeem himself with a fine save when Rutter latched onto Warburton’s cross. Silsden finished the half on the attack, Morgan seeing his shot cleared off the line by Ledwards.

Throup’s long throw-ins were causing the Winsford defence problems. One was tipped off Simpson’s head by Parker. Luckily for the keeper it struck the back post. Simpson then flicked on the next throw but there were no takers.

Winsford then pressed the Silsden defence. Hoyland wasted a golden chance when getting the better of Barraclough and Morton, breaking from the half way line,shot wastefully wide following some slick interpassing. A back header from Nettleton lacked pace but once again Winsford missed a good chance, Warburton being guilty this time.

As in the opening half, United had failed to capitalise on their superiority. Silsden took advantage. Tim Hird began to get a grip of the midfield, even seeing a shot blocked by Dawson. Airey then broke up an attack with a superb tackle before sending Ryan free on the right. Advancing on goal, the striker was fouled on the edge of the Winsford area. A free kick seemed scant compensation.

Thorpe then saved at the feet of Rutter and Morton grazed the bar with a dipping shot. Schofield brought on Peter Hanson and Matthew Bland for Clifford and Throup. Hanson was soon in the action. Simpson flicked the ball on for Ryan who slid the ball under the despairing dive of Parker. With the ball on its way into the Winsford net, Hanson instinctively tapped it in with his first touch of the game. Unfortunately he was offside. Simpson then headed against the bar following a flick-on by Ryan.

Silsden finally retook the lead when a shot from Hird was blocked by a Winsford hand. SIMPSON drove the penalty wide of Parker. Winsford still had a further chance but Warburton volleyed Rutter’s fine cross over the bar. Silsden secured all three points with a super goal. Thompson hit a cross-field ball to Simpson who killed the ball before curling in an inswinging cross which RYAN ran onto to net his second.

It had been a highly entertaining game with lots of chances. It might have been five-all. Silsden were probably flattered by the margin of victory, but it was they who converted more of their chances.....thanks to Ryan.

Next week the Cobbydalers travel to Guisborough in the FA Vase, the game having been switched from Cougar Park.

WINSFORD UNITED FC Parker, Wakefield, Ledwards, Bayley, Dawson, Morton, McKay, Hancock, Rutter, Hoyland(Purdue), Warburton. Subs. dnp McNicol, Prince.

SILSDEN AFC Thorpe, Nettleton, Barraclough, Airey, Morgan, Throup(Matthew Bland), Thompson, Hird, Clifford(Hanson), Ryan, Simpson. Sub dnp Schofield.