Republica 0 Silsden Ladies 9

SILSDEN Ladies got the new year off to a good start as they completed a double over Republica.

The heavy pitch and strong wind made for testing conditions, but Silsden overcame them and went ahead when Harriet Brewer was sent clear by a through ball and finished into the bottom corner.

Shortly after, neat play down the right resulted in Charlotte Hutchinson crossing for Laura Ackroyd to swivel and finish with aplomb, sending Silsden in at half-time 2-0 up.

The wind continued to play a big part, and only solid defending from Hutchinson, Rebecca Brown, Katie Fawcett and Christina Aston, prevented Republica from pulling one back, leaving keeper Megan Fawell relatively untroubled.

Selina Steventon scored the third goal on her return from Australia, shortly followed by the fourth from Stacey Wood, both of which stemmed from vital tackles and creative distribution from captain Victoria Ellis.

By this time, Silsden were really in their stride and Ackroyd headed in from a Brewer corner for the fifth. The midfield trio of Kate Perfect, Wood and Ellis were pulling the strings, and it was a through ball from Ellis that Brewer finished off for her second goal.

Substitute Claire Anderson set up Wood for her second goal.

A towering header from Brewer brought up number eight and there was still time for anther through ball from Ellis to allow player of the match Brewer to round the keeper and grab her fourth goal.

It capped a fine all-round display from the whole team.