Silsden 2 Barnoldswick Town 0

FORMER Silsden player Martin Foulger was pressed into action against his old club in Saturday's Premier Division clash as Barnoldswick Town were forced to use their fifth different keeper in their last eight matches.

Foulger answered the call to play in the derby clash after first-choice Chris Taylor was ruled out by suspension.

The keeper made an inauspicious start. In only the third minute he was unable to hang on to a fierce low cross from Joshua McNulty and the ball dropped invitingly for Chris Wademan to slot home.

Town nearly replied after five minutes when full back Jake McEneaney struck a sweet shot past Daniel Thorpe in the Silsden goal but was ruled marginally offside.

The Cobbydalers nearly increased their lead after 12 minutes when a free-kick played into the Town penalty area found Silsden skipper Kevin Ryan, who shot just wide of the post.

Silsden continued to apply pressure on the Town defence, Ben Crabtree firing a free-kick just over the bar after 20 minutes.

Town's best chance came after 32 minutes when a corner fell at the feet of Mark Threlfall, but his left-foot shot from ten yards out was charged down by a great tackle from Ryan.

Still the danger wasn't over for the home side. The ball rebounded to Martin Broderick whose right foot shot was deflected over the cross-bar for another corner.

Town were beginning to trouble the Silsden defence as the first half drew to a close. Joel Melia found the ball at his feet eight yards out from Thorpe’s goal but he took a couple of touches instead of shooting first time and this allowed the Silsden defence to block the shot.

Town's hopes of fighting their way back into the game were shattered just three minutes into the second half.

Craig Nicholls picked the ball up halfway inside the Town half and shrugged off four attempted tackles before firing a fierce shot past Foulger inside the far post to double the lead.

Town were nearly caught out again three minutes later when Kieron Lee was caught in possession by Tom Henderson, but Foulger came to the rescue with a good save.

Lee, who was playing at left back, went on a great run before firing in a cross which Threlfall was inches away from converting.

Two minutes later came substitutions for both teams, Town's plater-manager Stewart Airdrie replacing John Beckwith, and McNulty being replaced by Joe Jalil for Silsden.

Ten minutes later Ben Lamb brought Threlfall down 30 yards from goal. From the free-kick Threlfall headed against the far post and Airdrie shot over the bar from the rebound.

Silsden's second substitution saw former Town player Aaron Hollindrake replace Tom Henderson, while the visitors replaced Broderick with Matthew Cavanagh.

The only noteworthy attempt on goal in the closing stages came when the ball was played to the unmarked Hollindrake at the far post. He hit a sweet shot goalwards but Foulger made a magnificent save tipping the ball over the bar from almost point-blank range.

Silsden were worthy winners but if Town can improve in the last third then surely things could turn around for them in the New Year as they look to climb away from danger..