SILSDEN AFC 1 v 0 CONGLETON TOWN FC

Bland 11. Att. 86

SUPERB COBBYDALERS TAME THE BEARS

The Cobbydalers produced their best performance of the season on Saturday, inflicting the first league defeat of the season on second placed Congleton. More significantly they also kept their first clean sheet!...in their twenty second competitive game. Although Robert Morgan and Martin Bland were outstanding at the heart of the defence, the victory was built on teamwork, with every player battling hard for the cause. Although Silsden were under a lot of pressure, keeper Phil Rishton was barely tested, whereas Matthew Conkie in the “Bears”’ goal had to make a string of fine saves to keep the visitors in the game.

Silsden, who have been slow to get out of the blocks this season, were soon putting pressure on the Bears’ defence. A back heel from Jamie Longley was crossed into the danger area by Rob Barraclough. Keeper Conkie reached it just ahead of Chris Simpson but was left helpless when the in-form striker beat him with a dipping volley from outside the box. Unfortunately the ball bounced down off the bar. In the next attack Simpson saw his shot saved before testing the keeper again. From the resulting corner Morgan rose above the defence to head goalwards. Conkie parried the ball for another corner. This time BLAND rose, unchecked, to head the Cobbydalers into the lead in the tenth minute. Minutes later Harry Thompson cut inside two players only to see his shot hit the side netting.

Finally, Congleton mounted an attack. Left back Taylor broke through but his cross was too deep. A cross from Short posed a greater danger. Smith got in a good header but Bland was on the line to clear. Kinsey then created some space but Morgan put in a fine tackle. Morgan and Bland dominated in the air but Congleton posed a real threat when they played the ball on the ground.

Hurst, who has often been a threat in these contests, tried hard to break the offside trap. When he did, Damian Whiteoak got back. Peter Hanson blocked another shot before Thompson nearly netted minutes before the break. Cutting in past Smith and Beeston, the “Magician” got in a low shot which Conkie just managed to fingertip away.

At one-nil the Bears were still in the game and Tobin was the first to show, Morgan getting in yet another block. Hird again got back to deny Hurst. Although Silsden were forced back, they were always dangerous on the counter attack. Thompson saw a shot deflected following good work from Longley. Conkie just beat Simpson to a through ball before the Bears pressed again. Danny Finn blocked Smith’s effort and Rishton punched a cross clear. Some slick footwork from both Hurst and Kinsey created space in a crowded area but Silsden were quick to close their opponents down.

Barraclough put in two crunching tackles before setting up an opportunity at the other end. His deep free kick was headed by Bland a tad wide of the far post. Thompson then broke up the left yet again. Cutting in from the touchline, he beat two defenders before shooting towards the far corner. Conkie tipped the shot for a corner.

With ten minutes to go the pressure on the Cobbydalers intensified. Manager Reape was urging even greater efforts from his players. He got the response he needed with Hird and Whiteoak tracking back to deny the Bears’ strikers’ time and space. The game ended, fittingly, with Morgan putting in yet another tackle. The Cobbydalers received a standing ovation.

On Saturday Silsden visit Formby before travelling to Maine Road on Tuesday Nov 17^th.

SILSDEN AFC Rishton, Hanson, Barraclough, Martin Bland, Morgan, Finn, Longley (Kershaw), Hird, Thompson, Simpson, Whiteoak, Subs dnp Blacklock, Throup, McNulty.

CONGLETON TOWN FC Conkie, Beeston, Taylor, Smith, Fitton, Parkinson, Short(Nesbitt), Tobin, Hurst, Kinsey, Griggs, Subs dnp Fleury, Andrew, Buckle.