Silsden 5 Squires Gate 1

Danny Gleave scored twice and Chris Wademan added a couple of penalties as Silsden finally showed a cutting edge in the North West Counties Premier Division encounter.

Substitute Dale Feather was also on target to complete a memorable afternoon for the Cobbydalers against another team at the wrong end of the Premier Division table.

Skipper Gleave and defensive partner Danny Fagan both returned for this vital game.

With his centre backs in place again, boss Andy Geary was able to push James Gill into a defensive midfield role.

Wademan, looking more like his old self, saw an early cross-shot come back off the far post. Josh McNulty hit the rebound goalwards but Andy Collins cleared off the line.

Next Andy Hill hit a curling free-kick round the visitors’ defensive wall but Ben Fletcher, at full stretch, tipped it for a corner.

Mikey Hall and McNulty combined well on the left for the latter player to cross deep into Gate’s penalty area, Fletcher this time getting his body behind Wademan’s shot.

Midway through the half, Gate managed to push the Cobbydalers back in a sustained spell but Ed Hall only had one save to make from Ben Proctor’s deep free-kick.

Another free-kick was awarded to Silsden on the edge of the Gate area. Hall and McNulty discussed the options before the latter hit his curler over the wall, forcing another excellent save from Fletcher.

Riding their good fortune, Gate pushed forwards but Ed Hall was far too alert to let Jack Cook latch on to the through-ball.

Finally the Cobbydalers were rewarded for their positive play. Hill swung in a corner and Gleave stuck out a foot to give the Cobbydalers a 33rd-minute lead.

Will Storrie had a superb shot blocked on the stroke of half-time as the Cobbydalers ended the half on the attack.

Silsden started off in the second period where they had left off. A superb through-ball from McNulty sent Mikey Hall free but a superb tackle denied him a shot.

Next Wademan broke onto Hill’s delicate chip but again he was denied as Fletcher spread himself.

It was all Silsden and Gill saw a header saved following McNulty’s superb cross.

Ben Crabtree then got in on the act, latching on to another of Hill’s pin-point crosses. A foul provided the chance for another goal opportunity.

Gill curled in a right-footer from deep on the left and, as Fletcher stood on his line, a statuesque defence allowed Gleave to head his second.

Feather replaced Mikey Hall and, after 65 minutes, Wade- man was tripped in the box. Finally he got his name on the scoresheet from the spot.

Jamie McQuillan replied for the visitors but back up the other end Moses was then impeded in the box and the official awarded Silsden another spot-kick.

Wademan dispatched this penalty as well.

Dan Penswick shot wide at the other end before another ball through the open Gate, this time from Wademan, gave Feather a chance to make it five.

The Cobbydalers face a tough weekend trip to high-flying Maine Road.