SQUIRES GATE FC 1 v 2 SILSDEN AFC

Kusasloka 65 Hanson 16

Att. 51 Simpson 53

MARTIN BLAND: A TOWER OF STRENGTH

Skipper Martin Bland, who returned to the Cobbbydaler’s team after a mysterious injury, was a Tower of Strength at the heart of the defence. Bland, who stood almost as tall as the nearby famous landmark, was a rock, clearing two dangerous crosses late in the game and almost netting at the other end, to ensure the Cobbydalers run of six games without a victory came to an end.

It had been a traumatic month for the Silsden outfit with managerial changes and player transfers, James Nettleton being the latest Cobbydaler to seek pastures’ new. However, this was no time to dwell on the past, but a time for the team to roll up their sleeves and fight for the cause. The victory was all the more remarkable as in their six previous visits to the Fylde coast, the Cobbydalers have failed to notch a win.

With Lewis Barker still sidelined and Stephen Throup injured at Nelson, Chris Reape brought in David Blacklock at right back. The early signs were not promising with the Cobbydalers’ “wall” being breached in the third minute. Fortunately Daniel Thorpe gathered the free kick. However that was the only time in the opening twenty minutes when Silsden were threatened.

Kevin Ryan appeared to have given the Yorkshiremen the lead after only five minutes. Ryan reacted swiftly to Longley’s through ball, getting ahead of his marker before confidently slotting the ball home. The assistant’s flag was raised for offside, even to the surprise of the home fans. Why does the luck desert you when you are low? Nevertheless the Cobbydalers eventually took the lead. Ryan had won a corner on the right. Danny McNulty swung over a pacey cross and Peter HANSON rose majestically, at the near post, to head home. Hanson nearly made it two within a minute with a twenty- five yard shot which Speight tipped over the bar at full stretch. Simpson volleyed wide following a Longley free kick.

“Gate” had a chance midway through the half when Harvie tried a speculative scissors-kick following good work by Richards. When Blacklock surrendered possession one might have expected the defence to open up. However, probably for the first time this season, the Cobbydalers had every man behind the ball! Finally Gate created an opening. McNulty and Barraclough were caught in their opponents half when Harvie stole the ball. With only Bland and Rob Morgan at the back, Harvie sprinted down the wing. Swiftly passing to Mayers the defence was split. Mayers set up Richards with only Thorpe to beat but the shot was way off target.

When Gate were given another free kick just outside the box, Hird blocked Mayers’ fierce shot. The half finished with Silsden on top. Simpson broke down the left and crossed into the box. Ryan got in front of his man only to be tackled from behind. Another marginal decision went against the visitors when the official waved play on. Longley picked up the loose ball. His shot was deflected for a corner. Ryan broke through once more, only to be halted by Speight’s brave dive.

Gate almost equalised on the restart when Mayer’s broke down the left. His low cross beat everyone in the goal area, finally reaching Richards, but once again the striker failed to hit the target. Silsden regained their composure and Ryan hit a low cross into the box from wide on the right. Unfortunately, McNulty had moved just ahead of the ball. However, the Cobbydalers soon doubled their lead. Hanson hit a glorious pass up to Simpson. Both Simpson and Ryan were tightly marked but the strikers crossed with Ryan dragging his man to the left. SIMPSON broke right and fired into the bottom corner. Simpson, who suffered numerous injuries last season, is in tremendous form and fully deserved the goal for his outstanding contribution.

When Hird was dispossessed, only Bland’s superb tackle denied Mayers and Bland was on hand twice more to make desperate clearances, as the Gate targeted the inexperienced Blacklock. It began to look as though the Cobbydalers might keep their first clean sheet of the season but that was probably too much to ask. Barraclough failed halt KUSALOKA’s run across goal. Rob Morgan, who had been dominant in the air, was finally beaten and the Gate substitute slotted home.

A minute later Simpson missed an open goal. A defensive error left him in the clear but without a shout of “time” from his team-mates, he hurried his volley which cleared the bar with Speight stranded. When Simpson was clearly pushed in the box, the referee once again waved play on. The official booked five Silsden players in all, in what was hardly a dirty game. Who’d be a referee?

Silsden held out and as the Gate pushed men forwards, gaps began to open up. Both Ryan and Barraclough were allowed to cut in along the byline, before finding the angle too narrow and Bland was unlucky not to score when his downward header was cleared onto his own bar by Thomas.

What a difference a win makes! The mood in the dressing room was upbeat. It was as if a weight had been lifted off the backs of the Cobbydalers. Asked if he was delighted, Reape said he was pleased for the players who had worked so hard. The players gave much of the credit to the manager.

On Saturday the Cobbydalers entertain Maine Road FC at Cougar Park

SQUIRES GATE FC Speight, Nay, Thomas, Benfield, Ford, McKendrick(P. Ryan), Richards, McKenna, Mayers, Bennett, Harvie(Kusaloka). Subs.dnp McCann, Horrocks.

SILSDEN AFC Thorpe, Blacklock, Barraclough, Matthew Bland, Morgan, Hanson, Longley, Hird, Simpson,

K. Ryan, McNulty Subs dnp Dibb, Kerr, Riley.