SILSDEN AFC 2 v 2 ALSAGER TOWN FC

Simpson 41, Bowyer 34, Marrow 58

Eastwood 90 Att. 102

YOUNG EASTWOOD NOTCHES LATE EQUALISER ON DEBUT

For the second week running the Cobbydalers gained a deserved point in the ninetieth minute of the game. Sixteen year old Josh EASTWOOD notched the equaliser with a left foot volley following a period of pressure. Indeed the youngster might have scored the winner had his low right-foot drive not been blocked by Sellars.

With holidays and injuries limiting availability, Ben Geary, another youngster who had recently tasted success in the Under 16’s Copa Catalunya this summer, also made his debut as a substitute.

The Cobbydalers brought in Martin Trickett to spearhead the attack with Kevin Ryan, Chris Simpson switching to a midfield role. Jake McEneany moved to left back with the dependable Danny McNulty ahead of him. The Alsager outfit had undergone reconstruction with over half the team coming form a Biddulph side which had folded at the end of last season.

Trickett added pace to the Silsden attack and his flick-on freed Ryan in the first minute. With the goal keeper advancing off his line, Ryan tried to lob the ball into the net but he couldn’t get a clean contact on his effort. The Bullets’ skipper, James Marrow, with two goals to his name already this season, headed Sellars’ cross over from a good position before setting up Nathan Southern who wasted the opportunity.

The Cobbydalers looked much more comfortable than they had done against Barlick. McNulty went close with a speculative volley before Tom Harrison punched the ball clear with Ryan in attendance. John Douglas was picking up the ball in midfield keeping the Cobbydalers on the offensive, and Andy Lee, looking much sharper than on Wednesday, was unlucky not to give the Yorkshiremen the lead with a sharp drive, Scott Bowyer heading clear.

Marrow headed wide from a cross by Aaron Johns before the Cobbydalers regained the initiative. Douglas had two shots narrowly off target and Lee went close. Rather than aiming for a target man, Silsden began to push the ball about it. A move involving seven players and thirteen passes ended with Lee hitting another shot on target, which was again headed clear with the keeper beaten.

Ryan had a chance but could get no power on his header before the visitors took the lead. Daniel Husband, who had been caught out in the previous game looked much more assured and if there was a weakness in the defence, it was collective rather than individual. Alsager won the ball by applying pressure and although James Mann parried John’s shot at full stretch he couldn’t stop BOWYER netting from close range on thirty-four minutes.

It was tough on the Cobbydalers and fortunately they were soon level. Lee was driving his corners in with considerable curl. His second in succession was flicked to the back post where SIMPSON volleyed it back into the net with some venom.

The second half was a great contrast with the visitors dominating possession, although had Ryan targeted his header inside the far post rather than outside it on fifty-five minutes, it might have been a different story. Three minutes later the Bullets had regained the lead. Silsden conceded a corner, which was pushed out to Adam Beasley. On the edge of the box Beasley turned away from goal before curling in a cross to the far post. MARROW drifted in between two defenders to head home from close range.

Barnes denied Southern and substitute Matt Pearson went close as the Cobbydalers were pushed back In a rare attack Simpson shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box. Eastwood replaced McNulty and Michael Rosser came on Barnes, the veteran being thrown into the attack. Trickett had an effort blocked and Lee’s cross was too high for Rosser but suddenly there was hope as the Bullet’s tried to shut up shop. Then came the equaliser from an improbable source!

In the end the manager was delighted with a point although he acknowledges he still has work to do at the back.

On Saturday the Cobbydalers entertain Rossington Main, from the North East Counties League, in the F.A. Cup

SILSDEN AFC Mann, Barnes(Rosser 78), McEneany, Simpson, Husband, Lamb, Douglas(Geary 85), Lee. Ryan, Trickett, McNulty(Eastwood 66).

ALSAGER TOWN FC Harrison, Sellars, Rigby, Burge, Bowyer, Mitchell, Barlow(Pearson 66), Beasley, Marrow(Westray 90), Southern(Ball 85), Sub not used Heaps.

Referee M. Connell