Squires Gate 2, Silsden 0

SQUIRES Gate hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the Cobbydalers over the years.

Defeat on Saturday means Silsden have now only won once in their nine visits to the British Legion Stadium in Blackpool, although they have shared the points on four occasions.

Chris Wademan had scored both goals in the previous week's 2-0 win over Maine Road but was surprisingly left on the bench as Aaron Hollindrake and Dale Feather started up front.

Kevin Ryan was once again absent and the Cobbydalers missed his experience and composure on the ball. Fortunately Ben Lamb was back from the USA to bolster the defence.

Squires Gate dominated the opening half, closing down the Silsden players whenever any danger threatened. They were snappy in their passing and created several good openings.

Mark Buchan sent Alexander McKendrick down the right early on and the ball was crossed to Alex Murphy, who turned Danny Fagan but shot wide of the far post. Shortly after, Murphy volleyed over the bar.

By contrast, all the Cobbydalers had to show in the opening period was a flick-on by Hollindrake and a low cross from Feather.

Danny Thorpe kept the Cobbydalers in the game with a fine save at the near post when a one-two between Buchan and Murphy ended with the latter firing in a low shot.

The Cobbydalers were being pushed back but far too often they stood off the man on the ball, giving them far too much time. The Cobbydalers had also been undone at Garforth on the Tuesday night for allowing their opponents too much time on the ball.

The opening goal was a soft one. A Murphy corner should have been headed clear but Thorpe came for the ball and fumbled it, leaving Buchan to head home on 24 minutes.

Buchan continued to prove a threat, wasting a good chance, before Edmonds netted – with Silsden saved by the offside flag.

Joe Jalil was wide with a curler at the other end and Hollindrake managed to break between two defenders but his shot, too, lacked power.

At the break the Cobbydalers must have counted themselves lucky to be only one goal down.

Typically for this season, the Cobbydalers conceded just after the break. Ferguson drove into the box and Murphy nipped between Lamb and Fagan to leave Thorpe helpless.

Finally the Cobbydalers woke up and they might well had pulled a goal back immediately as Craig Mitchell set up Hollindrake, who beat Fletcher with a header but Joshua Westwood cleared off the line.

Silsden perked up with the introduction of Wademan from the bench and he set up Hollindrake, who hit a powerful shot from close range that forced Fletcher into a point-blank save.

Hollindrake went close again with a header which the keeper fumbled. Had Hollindrake followed up he might have got his first goal since his return to the Cobbydalers.

Silsden's afternoon was summed up when a long ball from Henderson found Wademan on the right. He bore down on goal, nipping between two defenders before cutting in and shooting from close range, only to be denied by Fletcher's feet.

The Cobbydalers entertain Bacup Borough this Saturday at the Angel Telecom Stadium.

Silsden: Thorpe (Henderson 57), Moses, Crabtree, Lamb, Fagan, Hill, Jalil (Wademan 57), Metcalfe, Hollindrake (Brown 74), Dale, Feather. Sub not used Nicholls.