The West Riding County Senior Cup 2009-10. Second round.
Wednesday, December 2nd 2009
SILSDEN AFC 5 v 6 BRADFORD PARK AVENUE FC. (After extra-time)
Finn 40, Savory 73(pen), 104,
Simpson 51, 108, Tiani 73, 107,
Whiteoak 89, OÕBrien 77,
Kershaw 101. James 116. Att.152
The Cobbydalers entertained Unibond Premier Division Bradford Park Avenue in the second round of the West Riding County Senior Cup, in what turned out to be a pulsating contest. In the end the Avenue managed to snatch the tie with only four minutes left of extra-time. It was cruel on the Silsden outfit who had seen a two goal lead turned around, before equalising at the death in full time. The game swung one way and then the other before substitute, Matty James, finally sealed the tie for the visitors, when he burst through an exhausted Cobbydale defence.
Park Avenue,at present, lie third in their league, but with games in hand, they could go top if they win them. They were soon on the attack with Bryce Tiani forcing a superb save from Tim Rishton in the opening minute. The Silsden keeper was kept busy as Silsden were pressurised into conceding a series of corners. James Riorden tested Rishton with another volley before Silsden mounted an attack. Chris Simpson headed a Jamie Longley free kick wide, before playing a one-two with Danny Finn. The midfielder was free but dragged his shot wide. Martin Bland rose above the defence at the other end but he was unable to control his header.
A crunching tackle from Danny McNulty set the mood for a determined Cobbbydalers outfit. Rob Barraclough was outstanding at the back, producing two saving tackles before Silsden almost took the lead. Simpson worked his way into the box and drew McMurray off his line. Sliding the ball towards goal from a narrow angle, Longley hesitated allowing Riordan to clear off the line.
Now the Avenue burst up the left, only to be halted by Bland. Rishton punched the corner clear. Damian Whiteoak and Tim Hird were working hard in midfield but they couldnÕt prevent Gibson from cutting in from the right. His curling shot went wide of the far post.
The opening goal came from a defensive mistake. Finn, who had lost the ball in midfield, stayed forward and Peter Hanson regained control. There seemed little danger, with Hulme ushering the ball back to his keeper. However there was a lack of communication and Hulme hit the ball wide of the stranded McMurray. FINN gladly tapped the ball home. Harry Thompson had another chance before the visitors stirred.
Either side of the break, Avenue created several chances. Finn headed CullenÕs free kick for a corner, Savory first headed wide when the ball was crossed from the left and then missed a simple chance when Price had broken down the right. Silsden then notched their second, when Hird set up a chance for SIMPSON whose shot was deflected wide of McMurray.
Silsden were two up with only half an hour left. Then the game changed in a flash. Tim Rishton was injured in a clash with Bland and had to be substituted. On the restart, Longley released Thompson with a superb though ball. The ÒmagicianÓ, under pressure from Hulme, forced his way to the edge of the box before shooting low. McMurray managed to get a hand on the shot. The ball was quickly launched forward and Savory was tripped when he burst into the Silsden area. SAVORY gave Thorpe no chance with his spot kick. Thorpe first touch of the ball was to pick it out of the net.
Avenue introduced James on the left and he immediately ÒdestroyedÓ the Silsden defence creating an easy tap in for TIANI. Worse was to come. The Cobbydalers were reeling. Thorpe made a superb save from James and Gibson shot wide before OÕBRIEN drove the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. In the space of ten minute Silsden had lost their keeper, missed the chance to go three nil up and conceded three goals.
Silsden might have folded. Matthew Kershaw and Stephen Throup came on to add new energy. With only a minute left Simpson flicked on ThroupÕs throw in. Whiteoak saw his shot saved at close range by McMurray, who could only push it onto the post. Thompson slid it back in for WHITEOAK to notch the equaliser.
The first period of extra time was dominated by Park Avenue as fatigue crept into the Silsden defence. Thorpe saved from Tiana following good work by Price, who also went close. A great run by OÕBrien set up James but he shot wide of the advancing Silsden keeper and both Tiani and Savory missed other chances. Silsden managed to break forward once and, again, a mix up in the Avenue defence gave the Cobbydalers. KERSHAW struck home as though Santa had come early. Within three minutes Avenue were level again when TIANI beat Thorpe with a deflected shot.
Four all. Fifteen minutes left. When Silsden failed to defend a corner, SAVORY was able to flick in at the near post. With Thorpe now carrying an injury, that looked to be the killer goal, but Silsden had other ideas. Kershaw played a one-two with Finn before crossing for SIMPSON to make it five-all. Would it go to penalties? Thorpe made yet another good save and Price blasted over the bar before substitute JAMES settled the matter with a dribble into the box and low shot. It was a cruel blow, not least for Thorpe who, despite making five excellent saves, was beaten six times in the space of an hour.
Silsden left the field exhausted but pleased that they had pushed their illustrious neighbours to the limit.
SILSDEN AFC Rishton, Hanson, McNulty, Barraclough, Bland, Finn, Longley, Hird(Throup), Thompson(Kershaw), Simpson, Whiteoak, Subs. dnp. Bathers, Hardman.
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE FC McMurray, Stabb, Cullen(James), OÕBrien, Hulme, Riorden, Day(Drury), Price, Tiani, Savory, Gibson. Subs. Dnp. Dickenson, downs, Knowles