Silsden 2 Formby 0

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. The hard pitch only just passed a fitness test, making it difficult for players to rely on the bounce.

Although the visitors settled better, with Evans and Scott running midfield, they created few chances and it was the Cobbydalers who posed a greater threat.

From an early corner, Jamie Longley tested the defence. Bowden headed out to Damian Whiteoak, whose volley was headed for another corner. When Tim Hird lost possession on halfway Formby broke only to be denied by a superb tackle by skipper Martin Bland.

Harry Thompson finally came to life midway through the half, with a trademark dribble. His shot appeared to strike a defender’s hand but the official waved play-on.

Chris Simpson and ’keeper Judge reached the ball simultaneously, the ’keeper smothering the ball but being injured in the process.

Formby’s best effort came from Bowden, with a curling free-kick. The visitors finished the half with a move of quality. Jackson picked up in the centre circle and released Davies. He split the defence with a diagonal ball to Hopkins, who rounded two retreating defenders but, once again, Bland stole the ball with some aplomb.

He had the experience in a back five where the average age of his co-defenders was 20. On the stroke of half-time, Whiteoak was replace by Danny McNulty.

Silsden are regularly slow starters after the break and Jackson wasted two clear chances for Formby, shooting across goal wide of Rishton’s despairing dive before again shooting wide.

As often happens, the visitors were to rue the missed chances as the Cobbydalers took the lead. Longley hit a high ball towards the Formby box, where two defenders allowed the ball to bounce. Simpson stole in to slot the ball past Judge.

Simpson, now full of confidence, went close with a speculative volley before Bland headed a corner marginally wide.

The tricky Hopkins should have equalised but he delayed his effort, Rishton again smothering the ball.

Longley had two golden opportunities to double Silsden’s lead after being released by Thompson.

On the first, he declined to shoot. 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 midfield, looked relatively comfortable, until Scott Hanson conceded a free-kick. Rishton, at full stretch, tipped Hopkins’ powerful shot over the bar.

Minutes later, Bowden hit an even better free-kick, which had pace and direction and was heading into the top corner. The ball struck the bar but Rishton managed to push it clear, aided by a post!

Silsden settled the game in the dying minutes when a speculative ball from Khalif was chased by substitute Robert Bradley. Centre-back Williams laid the ball back to his ’keeper, who had come for the ball, Bradley gleefully blasting it home. Rishton made one more save, blocking a dipping shot.

On Saturday, Silsden entertain Runcorn Linnets, and on Wednesday Bacup Borough visit Cougar Park.

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