SILSDEN AFC 1 v 1 GLOSSOP NORTH END FC

Simpson(pen) 45 Hamilton 65

Att. 118

DEPLETED COBBYDALERS HOLD ON TO SHARE THE SPOILS

A month ago Silsden were totally outplayed by a skilful Glossop side in the League Cup. In a month new manager, Chris Reape, despite losing a number of players, has instilled a strong work ethic in his team. In the last three games the Cobbydalers had only conceded one goal whereas in the previous sixteen they conceded thirty-two. Once again Reape was without several players but those who took their place responded well. Despite conceding the lead, the manager was upbeat about the performance, as were the supporters who recognised the hard work the players had put in.

In the opening minutes of the game at Glossop Silsden might have gone three-nil down but here the story was different, with the Cobbydalers front men constantly harassing the Glossop defenders. Early on, Kelvin Lugsden was pressurised into making a hurried back pass which almost led to a chance. The pressure told on the defence in which three players were cautioned.

The Cobbydalers almost took the lead on fifteen minutes when Jamie Longley was fouled on the edge of the Glossop box. Michael Rosser curled the free-kick around the wall but Cooper was able to parry it wide. Harry Thompson then shot across the face of goal.

As an attacking force, Glossop still posed a threat. Full back Jamie Kay tested Phil Rishton with a low drive early on and a last-ditch tackle from Martin Bland denied the impressive Darren Hamilton a clear strike on goal. Jason Gorton then went agonisingly close when the ball fell kindly for him six yards out. Stephen Throup was then called upon to cover back after Thompson had lost the ball. Throup headed the resulting corner clear.

Chris Simpson, whose movement was always creating space for Thompson and Longley, then hit a delightful cross-field ball to Thompson, who crossed towards the penalty spot where Danny McNulty rose to get in a header, despite the attentions of Yates. A superb ball from the right by Longley reached Rob Barraclough at the far post but the full back’s initial touch let him down and rather than shooting, he was forced to cross the ball into the danger area. Yates cleared the danger. It was all Silsden. A Barraclough free kick was headed clear and then McNulty had a shot blocked. Finally the pressure told. Lugsden, who had already been booked, elbowed Longley in the box when the striker was attempting to reach Simpson’s cross. Lugsden was dismissed and SIMPSON struck home the spot kick on the stroke of half time.

In the opening minutes of the second half Silsden should have made victory certain. Daniel Bathers won the ball in midfield to set up an attack. Simpson broke up the left and crossed low and hard into the box. Thompson was at the far post but somehow managed to steer the ball wide from three yards out. Thompson almost made amends immediately. Simpson(What a season he is having!) pulled two defenders out to the right before passing to Thompson. A characteristic dip of the shoulders from the “magician” created space at the edge of the Glossop box and then a curling shot looked to be heading goalwards before it struck the far post.

Glossop had got off the hook and substitutes Ric and Tom Bailey were introduced to pep up the attack. In their first real attack of the second period Ric Bailey managed to get ahead of Barraclough and cross the ball. A deft header from HAMILTON went into the bottom corner. Hamilton forced another save from Rishton after good work by Gorton, as the ten men pushed the Cobbydalers back. Rosser managed to take the pace off Ric Bailey’s next effort before Rishton gathered.

At the other end Bland managed to break through but he couldn’t quite control his volley, which went over the bar. Glossop might have stolen the points at the death when, for once, right-back Aqeeb Khalif, making his debut, was beaten. Oakes had cut in from the left and slid the ball through to Ric Bailey who managed to pull the ball back from the by-line to his namesake Tom. Tom Bailey hit the ball firm and low but Rishton was able to block it with an outstretched leg. A draw seemed a fair result.

Next week the Cobbydalers entertain Ashton Athletic.

SILSDEN AFC Rishton, Khalif, Barraclough, Throup, Rosser, Bland, Longley, Bathers(Hardman), Thompson(Kershaw), Simpson, McNulty, Subs dnp S. Hanson, Finn.

GLOSSOP NORTH END FC Cooper, Young, Kay, Lugsden, Yates, Gorton, Morris(T. Bailey), Elliot(R. Bailey),Parker(Smallwood), Hamilton, Oakes. Subs dnp McNally, Williams.