SILSDEN AFC 1 v 4 HALLAM FC

Barker 51. Nisbett 66, Naughton 80,

Asquith 89,90. Att.67

SILSDEN LOSE THEIR WAY ON ROAD TO WEMBLEY

Silsden’s road to Wembley ended at the hands of Sheffield side, Hallam, who thoroughly deserved their win, although the final score rather flattered them with two goals coming in stoppage time. Silsden, who took the lead early in the second half were pushed back by the slick movement of their visitors who responded immediately after falling behind to Lewis BARKER’s opener.

Despite coming into the game on a four-match winning run the Cobbydalers lacked composure on the ball. The visitors should have taken the lead early on when they created a two-on-one situation. Asquith cut in from the right and dragged Barraclough out of the middle. Asquith slid the ball to Stocks who did a neat one-two with Tate before shooting from close range against the Silsden bar.

Silsden, who had Robert Morgan in for Nettleton and Joel Ettienne for McNulty, looked most dangerous with crosses. Simpson headed Barker’s cross narrowly wide before testing the keeper with a deft flick following Thompson’s cross. The keeper held on to the ball at the second attempt.

When the Hallam defence conceded an unnecessary corner Silsden had another chance. Matthew Morgan’s cross was sliced wide to the left where Throup swivelled to curl it back in the box. Shaun Airey rose above the defence only to head wide. When Throup managed to get a powerful header on Matthew Morgan’s corner it went straight to the keeper.

Hallam had two further chances before the break. Thorpe failed to get a strong fist on a high ball which was then chipped to the back post. Airey, who was outstanding throughout, cleared Wragg’s header off the line. When Barraclough, falling backwards, headed back across his own goal Tate looked certain to score but Thorpe made a magnificent one-handed save to keeper the scores level.

An injury to Matthew Morgan on the stroke of half time meant some readjustment for the Cobbydalers. Jerome White came on at left back and Barraclough was pushed further forwards. The game was less than a minute into the second half when Barraclough hammered the ball from the touchline forty yards out. Brunt, in the Hallam goal, was off his line but he just managed to tip the ball over the bar. The opening goal came when Simpson ran across three defenders on the edge of the Hallam area. He looked to have gone too wide but he turned and shot low towards the far post. Brunt was beaten and BARKER stole in between two defenders to break the deadlock.

Barker and Simpson had been unable to create much space but the goal, rather than giving the Cobbydalers the edge, merely pushed Hallam to raise their game. Rob Morgan headed Naughton’s telling cross clear but it was in midfield where Silsden were losing the initiative, skipper Bland looked well off the pace and both Thompson and Barraclough left gaps between themselves and the full backs when Hallam had the ball. It was left to Ettienne to protect the back four.

Barraclough did have a shot at the Hallam goal but his drive kept on rising. Hallam broke down the left where Naughton crossed to the far post. It should have been easy for Thorpe but the ball deceived him and NAUGHTON beat a team-mate to the ball to tap it home. Dave Morgan brought on Tim Hird to get a grip of the midfield pushing Bland forwards in the hope of some flick-ons. Barker was the unlucky player to be sacrificed. Hird, making his first appearance of the season, found it hard to get into the game. As it was it was Hallam who scored the decisive goal. Asquith broke down the left and slid the ball inside where NAUGHTON curled it in at the near post.

Silsden’s response was to push more big men forwards and launch the ball in the area. It was meat and drink for the Hallam centre backs. Silsden, despite the efforts of Airey, were wide open at the back and ASQUITH notched a brace in the dying minutes. His first was a superb volley from wide on the right; his second was much easier. Sent away by Hibbert he slid the ball beyond the reach of Thorpe.

With the goal advantage Silsden had the initiative but the visitors worked harder both with the ball and without it. This was probably the difference between the teams. Hallam prodded and probed to create their openings whilst the Cobbydalers relied on too many long balls.

Its now back to league business on Tuesday with a visit to Ramsbottom, who were themselves knocked out of the Cup by Maine Road.

SILSDEN AFC Thorpe, Throup, Barraclough, Airey, R. Morgan, Ettienne, Thompson, Bland, Barker(Hird),Simpson, M. Morgan(White), Subs dnp. D Whiteoak, Nettleton, Phillis.

HALLAM FC Brunt, Smith, Naughton, Griffin, Hibbert, Tyler, Tate(Hannity), Stocks(Nisbett), M. Wragg, Asquith, Wood(Baker) Subs dnp. J. Wragg, Weir.