The “Vodkat” North West Counties Football League Premier Division 2009-10

Saturday, Oct 3rd 2009

SILSDEN AFC 2 v 2 FLIXTON FC

Ryan 32 Smith11, 30,

Clifford 78 Matthews 57 Att 62

REAPE CAN’T WAVE THE MAJIC WAND

Caretaker manager Chris Reape failed to get his Silsden tenure off to a winning start as the Cobbydalers suffered defeat to a side below them in the Vodkat League Premier Division table. The team created enough chances to win but once again they were caught out at the back. The visitors took the lead after only eleven minutes when SMITH sprung the offside trap. SMITH was on hand again in the thirty-second minute to make it two, taking advantage of a strong wind. Lapses in concentration had cost the Cobbydalers once again.

The Cobbydalers relied on in-form Kevin RYAN to get them back in the game, the striker netting his eighth goal in six games, scoring in each. Silsden created further chances but it was the Mancunians who restored their two-goal cushion when MATTHEWS drove home through a packed defence on the fifty- seventh minute. Sean CLIFFORD’s deft flick left the Cobbydalers twelve minutes to net the equaliser but the Flixton keeper denied Silsden a share of the points with an outstanding save from Jamie Longley.

It had been an emotional week at the club after long-serving manager Paul Schofield resigned last Sunday. It was a decision that came out of the blue.. Reape was forced into the hot-seat after being Schofield’s assistant for just two games following Dave Morgan’s departure.

A victory would have lifted the mood and been the dawning of a new era. The defeat dropped Silsden to 12th and lifted Flixton to 14th, with just one point separating the clubs. Although Silsden have lost four of the last five and drawn the other all the defeats have been by the odd goal. In those five games Silsden have scored twelve and conceded fifteen.

It’s early days yet for Reape. When Alf Ramsey took on the England job in 1962 his team lost 5-2 to France in his first game in charge. Four years later some people ran on the pitch!

On Saturday Reape’s team have a chance to create history at Squire’s Gate. In all their previous visits to the Fylde, against, Blackpool Mechanics, Squires Gate FC and Fylde AFC the Cobbydalers have yet to notch a victory.