SILSDEN AFC 2 v 0 FORMBY FC

Simpson 54,

Bradley 88. Att. 86

SUPERB RISHTON ENSURES HAPPY NEW YEAR

Keeper Phil Rishton made a brace of excellent saves in the final minutes, to ensure that Silsden started the New Year on a winning note. Playing their first game for six weeks, both teams looked a little rusty and much of the play was scrappy. The pitch, which was hard and only just passed a fitness test, made it difficult for the players to rely on the bounce.

Although the visitors settled better, with Evans and Scott running the midfield, they created few chances and it was the Cobbydalers who posed a greater threat in front of goal. Chris Simpson was closed down in Silsden’s first attack but the resulting corner from Longley tested the “Squirrels” defence. Bowden only headed out to Damian Whiteoak, who volleyed goalwards from the edge of the box. Tattersall headed the shot clear for another corner.

When Formby did mount an attack, Jackson shot wide after Lawless had rounded Khalif on the left. A diagonal ball into the Formby box from Tim Hird was aimed at Simpson. The striker stepped over the ball freeing up Whiteoak, who couldn’t get enough direction on his shot.

At the other end, some neat interplay set up a chance for Scott but his shot lacked pace and Rob Barraclough cleared comfortably. When Hird lost possession on the half way line, Formby broke forwards, only to be denied by a superb tackle by skipper, Martin Bland.

Harry Thompson finally came to life midway through the half, opening up the visitors with a trademark dribble. His shot appeared to strike a defenders hand but the official waved play-on. Simpson and keeper Judge reached the ball simultaneously. The keeper managed to smother the ball but was injured in the process.

Formby’s best effort of the half came from left back Bowden, who went very close with a curling free kick. At the other end, Simpson shot wide after a poor headed clearance. Formby finished the half with a move of some quality. Jackson picked up the ball in the centre circle and released Davies down the right. Davies split the defence with a diagonal ball to Hopkins. Hopkins rounded two retreating defenders but once again Martin Bland stole the ball with some aplomb. Bland had the experience in a back five where the average age of his co-defenders was twenty. On the stroke of half time Whiteoak was replace by Danny McNulty.

Silsden are regularly slow starters after the break and Formby wasted two clear chances. A through ball to Jackson on the edge of the box saw the striker shoot across goal from the edge of the box, wide of Rishton’s despairing dive. Jackson again shot wide when he broke through a disorganised back four. As often happens, the visitors were to rue the missed chances, when the Cobbydalers took the lead. Jamie Longley hit a high ball towards the Formby box. Two Formby defenders allowed the ball to bounce before both failing to head clear. SIMPSON stole in to slot the ball past Judge.

Simpson, now full of confidence, went close with a speculative volley before Martin Bland headed a corner marginally wide. The tricky Hopkins should have equalised, when he cut through the defence but having been forced to the right, he delayed his effort, favouring his left foot. Rishton again smothered the ball. Longley then had two golden opportunities to double Silsden’s lead. On both occasions, he was released by Thompson. On the first occasion, he declined to shoot, instead sending a hopeful ball into the danger area. This was followed by a dribble into the box, but a minor delay in shooting allowed Lyons to block the shot on the line.

Silsden, with Matthew Bland patrolling the midfield, looked relatively comfortable, until Scott Hanson conceded a free kick on the edge of the Silsden box. Rishton, at full stretch, tipped Hopkins powerful shot over the bar. Minutes later, Bowden hit an even better free kick. The left footer got both pace and direction on to the shot, which was heading into Rishton’s top corner. The ball struck the bar but Rishton managed to push it clear, with the help of the post!

Silsden settled the game in the dying minutes when a speculative ball up the right from Khalib was chased down by substitute, Robert Bradley. Centre back Williams took control, laying the ball back to his keeper. Unfortunately the keeper had come for the ball, which was now in the goal area! BRADLEY gleefully blasted it home. Rishton made one more save blocking a dipping shot with his body before the final whistle went.

It hadn’t been a classic but it’s another three points on a day when only five games were played in the NWCFL Premier Division. On Saturday, Silsden entertain Runcorn Linnets and on Wednesday 10^th Feb. Bacup Borough are the visitors to Cougar Park.

SILSDEN AFC Rishton, Khalif, Barraclough, S. Hanson, Martin Bland, Matthew Bland, Longley(Bradley), Hird, Thompson, Simpson(Kershaw), Whiteoak(McNulty), Subs. dnp Blacka, Bathers.

FORMBY FC Judge, Lyons, Bowden, Tattersall(P.Davies), Williams, Scott, J. Davies, Evans(McKane), Jackson, Hopkins, Lawless(Kearns), Subs dnp. Williamson, Jones.