ALSAGER TOWN FC 3 v 2 SILSDEN AFC

Warburton 44, Williams 54, Ryan 80, Clifford 86

Drohan 90+2 Att. 29

COBBYDALERS SHOT DOWN IN THE FINAL MINUTE

Silsden were left deflated at the final whistle. Having recovered from a two goal deficit in the final ten minutes, the Cobbydalers almost snatched the winner but as the ball was cleared the “Bullets” launched one last attack. Rob Barraclough at the heart of the defence was caught in two minds and substitute DROHAN stole the ball to slip it under the advancing Gavin Phillis.

On Tuesday coach Dave Morgan left the Club to take up the reins at Thackley. Along with him went left winger Matthew Morgan and centre back Sean Airey. To add to his problems Paul Schofield was also without Harry Thompson and skipper James Nettleton, who had to pull out at the last minute for personal reasons.

Despite this, the mood in the camp was upbeat and the Cobbydalers dominated the opening thirty minutes. Without a natural right back, Schofield opted for a 3-5-2 formation. Former Morecambe Town trainee, Daniel Bathers made his debut as Sean Clifford partnered Kevin Ryan up front. The first clear chance fell to Bathers when the Bullet’s central defenders and keeper went for the same ball. Unfortunately the youngster shinned the ball over the empty goal. Chris Simpson then had a snap shot from the edge of the box, which was deflected for a corner.

Sean Clifford was twice released by Danny McNulty down the right. Tim Hird reached Clifford’s first cross and Simpson, the second, but both were at full stretch and unable get enough power on their headers to test keeper Hebblewhite. Ryan’s cross shot beat the Alsager keeper but also the far post.

With ten minutes to go before the break, Alsager finally got the better of the Cobbydaler’s defence, Chambers volleying Warburton’s corner over the bar. Williams then headed wide after Warburton had broken free down the right. At the other end a one-two between Simpson and Hird saw the latter hit a sweet half-volley which Hebblewhite gathered at the second attempt.

With one minute to go to the break, the Silsden defence failed to clear the ball and WARBURTON shot through a ruck of players to beat Gavin Phillis at the far post. The keeper, who had had little to do, seemed unsighted as the ball bounced twice before entering the net. McNulty almost equalised on the restart but again the effort was frustratingly wide.

Ten minutes into the second half, Stephen Throup gave the ball away. Warburton, who was totally unmarked on the right crossed for WILLIAMS to head home without a challenge. It was tough on stand-in skipper Throup who, despite only playing with pain killers, was an inspiration to the team.

Simpson then beat his man to the ball in the box but again the keeper pushed the ball for a corner. Schofield then switched Bathers for Thomas Dibb. Dibb, who had been out of the game for a year, was clearly unfit but he soon made his mark with two excellent crosses. The second cross was met by Simpson, who headed it back to Peter Hanson. Hanson’s shot was heading for goal but Chambers managed to deflect it over the bar. When Dibb lost the ball in midfield, Phillis kept Silsden in the game with a diving save at the feet of Williams.

Back came the Cobbydalers. Dibb crossed, Simpson headed back and this time Ryan’s shot was deflected for a corner. McNulty hit another half chance over the bar. Finally the goal came and once again it was Kevin RYAN on target, with a shot into the bottom corner. With the home defence panicking, CLIFFORD notched the second, beating Hebblewhite from close range. Dibb then broke past his man on the left. Cutting in from the left, memories flooded back from the past when two late goals by the winger sealed an unlikely victory at nearby Newcastle. Dibb shot firmly but the keeper managed to smother the ball. Hebblewhite cleared upfield and DROHAN netted.

On Saturday, Flixton are the visitors to Cougar Park. This is followed by a trip to Nelson on Wednesday, October 7^th.

ALSAGER TOWN FC Hebblewhite, Griffiths, James, Chambers, Gleave, Basford, Warburton(Taylor), Jones, Williams, Wilson(Drohan), Swann(Mealey), Subs. dnp. Roberts, Wooley.

SILSDEN AFC Phillis, Bathers(Dibb), Barraclough, Hanson, Morgan, Throup, Clifford, Hird, Simpson, Ryan, McNulty Subs. dnp Nettleton, Schofield.