Nettleton and Silsden almost sting leaders (From Craven Herald)

James Nettleton and Silsden almost sting leaders

10:20am Thursday 27th September 2012 in Sport By Sportsdesk

Silsden 2, Bootle 1

Silsden travelled to Merseyside following the previous week’s disappointing FA Vase exit to take on table-topping Bootle last Saturday in the North West Counties League Premier Division.

Once again the Cobbydalers had to make changes due to holidays and, with manager Chris Reape also on holiday, Danny Bolton took the reins.

He brought in Tom Marshall and returning skipper James Nettleton as part of a midfield four, with Elliott Holmes slotting in at right back to replace the unavailable Matty Moses.

After Silsden keeper Ed Hall blocked a Lee Thompson shot with his legs, the Cobbydalers broke straight up the other end, a long ball finding Kev Ryan’s searching run.

The Bucks keeper Dean Porter did well to block but the loose ball ran to Marshall cutting in from the right.

The youngster coolly dragged the ball onto his left foot to open up the goal before slotting past a covering defender to give the visitors the lead against the run of play.

This sparked an immediate response and on 17 minutes it looked like Bootle would level when a long ball caught the Silsden defence out and Daniel O’Connor burst through.

Hall hesitated slightly before coming to meet the onrushing striker, who lobbed the ball over the keeper.

His shot hit the top of the bar and bounced back into the danger area where it needed a couple of desperate defensive blocks.

It was a bit like the Alamo at times in the Silsden penalty area, with Danny Husband and centre back partner Steve Throup throwing themselves in front of goal-bound efforts and Danny McNulty also doing well to block.

However, Bootle levelled when Thompson collected the ball and, under no challenge from 35 yards out, unleashed a superb shot that crashed against the bar but rebounded invitingly for O’Connor to head home.

Silsden threatened at the other end in the last minute of the half when Jake McEneaney’s superb ball from out wide was met by Ryan’s towering header, which struck the bar. However, Ryan was harshly penalised for a push.

With Nettleton growing into his new midfield role and James Nanje-Ngoe’s industry enabling the wide men to feature more prominently, Silsden looked like gaining a point until, with 14 minutes remaining, substitute Brett Adamson poked home the winner for Bootle.

On Saturday, the Cobbydalers are at Glossop North End before hosting Askern Villa next Wednesday in the West Riding County Cup.

Silsden: Hall, Holmes, McEneaney, Throupe, Husband, Nanje-Ngoe, Marshall, Nettleton (c), Garrod, Ryan, McNulty D (Jalil). Subs not used: Bryan, Lee.