Hallmark Security League Division One: Silsden 3 Prestwich Heys 2

A SUPERB first-half performance saw Silsden claim their third win on the trot.

They raced into a 3-0 lead after 34 minutes – the recently-returned Chris Wademan scoring twice – before two late goals by Prestwich gave them a nervous finish.

Their seventh-placed visitors were in form, having won their last three games and scoring 14 in the process, but this win put the Cobbydalers up to 13th in Division One.

Prestwich should have taken the lead in the first minute when Jamie Baguley drove a low cross into the area but neither Adam Nuttall nor Greg Wills could get the necessary touch on it. Matty Moses blocked a long shot from Lee Bruce and Josh Eastwood deflected Baguley’s free-kick for a corner.

Wademan, who is back at Silsden following a spell at Thackley, had already gone close before giving his side the lead after 16 minutes.

Mark Trueman curled a corner in, Sam Jacomb headed it goalwards and Wademan volleyed home from close range.

Heys keeper Daniel Taberner saved a shot from Josh Eastwood and then tipped over a volley from debutant Niall Sultan, formerly of Retford United.

Trueman was also involved in Silsden's second goal, setting up Wademan, who drove the ball under the advancing keeper on 32 minutes.

Soon afterwards the hosts were three up. It was a classic Silsden move, the ball coming from the back through the midfield to Sultan, who sped up the right flank, outpacing the defence. He drove the ball along the byline and Josh Eastwood rifled home at the near post.

Prestwich almost responded immediately, Baguley's superb cross going begging before Matty Moses denied Bruce a chance. Nuttall hit a sumptuous volley from barely six yards out, which Silsden keeper Callum Jakovlevs had no right to stop but he pushed it over the bar.

It had been Silsden’s best half of the season but the final minutes showed they would still have a fight on their hands.

In the opening minutes of the second period Ashley Reece had a shot blocked before Jakovlevs saved from Wills. Silsden broke on the counter but Jacomb, Wademan and Sultan found the keeper with headers.

Jacomb was cautioned when he broke up one attack illegally. From the resulting free-kick, Lee O’Brien’s shot was blocked, but only to Baguley who was denied by another acrobatic save from Jakovlevs.

The Cobbydalers were riding their luck, with Kyle Hancock and Trueman prominent in breaking up attacks.

But they finally succumbed to pressure when Baguley pulled a goal back with a powerful shot ten minutes from time.

The Cobbydalers were rattled when a free-kick from Baguley then found Jacob Wood unmarked on the goal line, who made it 3-2 with two minutes left.

Paul Tierney set up Wills but Josh Kaine snuffed out the danger as Silsden held on.

Boss Danny Forrest was delighted with the result and performance.

He said: “It was a nervous last few minutes but the strength of the squad is pushing every player to strive to get into the team and perform to their utmost. The mood in the camp is very positive.”

The Cobbydalers travel to Tadcaster Albion tomorrow in the West Riding FA County Cup quarter-final before heading to Cheadle Town in the league on Saturday.

SILSDEN: Jakovlevs, Moses, Vincent, Kaine, Jacomb, Trueman, Storrie (McNally 84), Eastwood, Sultan (Erangey 70), Wademan (Henderson 75), Hancock.