Hallmark Security North West Counties League: Silsden 6 Ashton Town 0

SILSDEN made the best possible start to life in Division One as they handed out six of the best to Ashton.

Josh Eastwood and Kevin Gill made full debuts, replacing Matty Moses and Sam Jacomb respectively.

The Cobbydalers opened the scoring after just six minutes. The lively Will Storrie out-paced his man before whipping in a superb ball across the six-yard box. Chris Wademan latched onto an attempted clearance and smashed home from close range.

Danny Forrest’s astute pass found Nicky McNally, whose angled shot was thwarted by keeper Joe Clements, who then

made another fine save from Storrie.

Silsden went 2-0 up after 28 minutes when Luke Richardson's left-foot free-kick was deflected onto the right-hand upright before rebounding invitingly for skipper Josh Kaine, who finished with aplomb.

The hosts were denied a strong penalty shout when Storrie was tripped following a trademark mazy run but he was not to be denied as they claimed a third just before the break. Following some slick passing, his angled shot from just outside the box arrowed into the far top corner.

Silsden remained on the goal-hunt in the second half, making it 4-0 in the 63rd minute when Kyle Hancock’s through ball found Josh McNulty, who drifted inside before curling home with his left foot.

Silsden appeared to take their foot off the gas as Callum Williams broke free before forcing a fine save from the previously redundant Callum Jakovlevs in the Silsden goal. Then minutes later Williams was again denied by Jakovlevs’ block as Silsden’s concentration lapsed.

Normal service was resumed though when Wademan found substitute Leon Smith but the ball got stuck under his studs and the chance went begging.

However, on 75 minutes the Skipton speed machine made amends when Richardson’s clever ball found Smith’s darting run from the left and he drew the keeper before slotting in.

Minutes later Smith’s mazy run on the left bamboozled the visitors but a combination of Clements and his covering defenders managed to block at the expense of a corner.

Ashton never gave up though and the lively Thomas Jump burst into the Silsden box only to be denied by the excellent Kaine’s clearance. Then Jakovlevs had to be alert in the last minute to tip away following a free-kick.

But Silsden had the last word as Richardson despatched a shot beyond Clements’ despairing dive to make it six.

Silsden: Jakovlevs, Eastwood (Marshall), McNulty, Kaine (c), Gill K, Richardson, Forrest, Hancock, McNally, Wademan (Cox), Storrie (Smith L).