DEFENSIVE LAPSES MAKE LIFE EASY FOR BARLICK

Facing an experienced Barlick outfit featuring two former Silsden stars, Aaron Hollindrake and Shaun Airey, the Cobbydalers made a nervous start and could have been two down in only five minutes when an uncertain defence should have been punished by the visitors’ forwards. Fortunately Chapman and Jordan failed to take their chances. On five minutes Hollindrake headed powerfully over the bar wasting another opportunity. At the other end a header from Ben Lamb caused panic in the Barlick defence before Billy Carrington gathered the ball.

The opener was not long in coming, although there was a suspicion of offside when the ball was moved down the left to the byline. Arley Barnes was beaten too easily and the other defenders were slow to react to the danger. HOLLINDRAKE stole in to slide in Carl Ellerton’s cross at the near post. This was Hollindrake’s third vital goal in three recent meeting between the teams. Three minutes later the visitors were two up when Danny Husband misjudged both the bounce and the run of Neil Chapman. James Mann rushed off his line to narrow the angle but CHAPMAN coolly slid the ball under the keeper’s body.

The visitors were in total control with no-one picking up Jordan, playing behind the two front men.

Good tackles from Husband and Ben Lamb kept the visitors at bay but far too often the Cobbydalers chipped the ball forwards giving Town the opportunity to intercept. In contrast the Barlick outfit moved the ball along the ground with some swift passing and movement.

Andy Lee did manage to find Kevin Ryan with an accurate chip. The striker chested the ball down, but Chris Simpson couldn’t control the volley.

Had the scored stayed at two nil at the break, the Cobbydalers might have been able to regroup but JORDAN made it three, two minutes before the interval. Once again the Silsden outfit were caught ball-watching.

The Cobbydalers came out with more determination at the start of the second half. Barnes wasted a free-kick. Ten minutes into the half, Silsden were given a lifeline, following a controversial decision by the official. A cross from Barnes was flicked on by Simpson. The ball deflected off a defender to Andy Lee who reacted quickly to shoot from close range. Carrington saved but failed to gather the ball cleanly and Lee slid in. Carrington gathered at the second attempt but then proceeded to grab hold of the Silsden man. Eventually the keeper was booked and a penalty was awarded. Lee took the spot kick but the keeper tipped his effort for a corner.

Lee, who had been largely ineffective in the opening half, then sprung to life skipping through the defence, only to be denied by an excellent save from Carrington. Lewis Jordan then managed to get the better of Barnes at the near post but his shot hit the side-netting. Midway through the half, Ben Lamb rose above the defence only to see his header fly past the far post.

Kevin Ryan was replaced by Matthew Kershaw. Ryan who acknowledged he is far from his best, is expecting to have surgery on his cartilage next week. Kershaw’s introduction certainly lifted the spirits, however it was Lance OGUNYODE, the speedy Barlick substitute, who killed off any lingering hopes of the Cobbydalers, rounding Lamb after two defenders had gone for the same ball.

Simpson had a header cleared off the line and Kershaw hit a superb goal-bound volley, which was deflected for a corner in the dying minutes.

Chris Reape acknowledged that his team had made it easy for the visitors and that defensive lapses, both individual and collective, were largely responsible for the visitors goals. With a young team featuring several additions to the squad the Silsden outfit will need a little time to gel together. At least chances were created but the cause to escape relegation last season was built on a mean defence. Getting the balance right between attack and defence seems to be the key.

On Saturday the Cobbydalers entertain Alsager Town in a rearranged fixture.

SILSDEN AFC Mann, Barnes, Cullen, Birchall, Husband, Lamb, Douglas, Lee, Ryan(Kershaw 66), Simpson, McEnearny(McNulty 77). Subs not used. Geary, Jalil, Rishton.

BARNOLDSWICK TOWN Carrington, Blades, Ellerton, Airey, Clarke, Overson, S. Jordan(Halliwell 87), Smith(Ogunyode 70), Hollindrake, Chapman(Alderson 78), L. Jordan. Subs not used Williams, Garbutt.

Referee Mr. K. Haycock