Selby Town 0 Silsden 2

THE Cobbydalers made it two wins in a row with a superb team effort to win Tuesday night's West Riding County Cup tie against their North-East Counties League opponents.

With Kevin Ryan unavailable Ryan Haigh brought in recent recruit, Elliot Firth, at centre-back, to partner Matty Moses at the heart of the defence. Joe Garside came it at left back and Oliver Hunter on the left wing.

The first half was played in a torrential rain storm but the players of both sides ensured that the crowd would be fully entertained.

Up front Chris Wademan and Nicky McNally were willing runners, with the former sending in a great cross in the opening minute. However the Cobbydalers had an escape in the third minute when Martin Jones' right foot screamer came back off the near post.

Silsden responded with a cross field run by Wademan who, somehow, managed to weave his way through a quartet of defenders before he was closed down. Danny Thorpe then slid out to grab a through ball whilst Hunter tracked-back to deny the Robins the opener whilst McNally was unlucky to see his shot deflected for a corner.

Silsden then had another escape when a shot from James Forester hit Thorpe's other post. Selby were fizzing passes across the greasy surface but Thorpe was in excellent form saving two efforts from Martin Jones on a surface which, although slippery, was holding up well in the storm.

Skipper Joe Mitchell epitomised Silsden's spirit, harassing his opponents and releasing his forwards with some superb passes. It was fitting that he got the opening goal in the 35th minute.

Hunter appeared to have been pushed wide but he managed to cut inside Finn Kelly and slide the ball into the Robin's box and Mitchell was first to the ball to give the Cobbydalers the lead.

Thorpe saved comfortably from Tom Chamberlain and then gathered a deflected effort. In the final minute of the half Haworth crossed to Wademan who headed over from close range.

The Robins were certainly fired up for the second half and the Cobbydalers had to work hard to defend their goal. Not only was Thorpe’s handling superb, he was also encouraging his back four. Moses was solid and Firth was just what Haigh has been looking for. He was dominant in the air and solid in his tackling. Mitchell was being pushed back but no-one got the better of the skipper.

Silsden got the vital second on the hour when Liam Stonehouse dawdled on the ball and lost it to McNally. His cross was driven in from close range by Wademan.

Silsden were still dangerous on the break and Wademan might have got a second but substitute, Aaron Hollindrake's pass took a wicked deflection as he was about to pull the trigger.

Substitute Anderson had a great chance to pull one back for the Robins when Forrester curled in a wicked free kick but the ball skidded out for a goal kick. When Thorpe saved from Jones after excellent interplay between Chris Banks and Tom Chamberlain the Cobbydalers believed it was going to be their day.

Superb tackles from Mitchell and Guilfoyle late in the game and Jones heading over the bar confirmed it. Next Silsden will face National League side Guiseley.

SELBY TOWN FC Gibson, Kelly, Stonehouse, Ramsey(Banks 64), Mortimer, Horseman, Forrester, Jones, Jackson, Parsons(Anderson 55), Chamberlain(Arnold 61). Subs. not used. Ceiply, Emery.

SILSDEN AFC. Thorpe, Garside, Crabtree(Scott 72), Mitchell, Moses, Firth, Storrie(Hollindrake 67, Haworth, McNally, Wademan, Hunter(Guilfoyle 78).