Hallmark Security League Division One: Silsden 1 Sandbach United 2

THE COBBYDALERS were hoping to make it four wins on the trot when they hosted seventh-placed Sandbach but a sterling defensive performance was marred by two errors.

Silsden had lost the corresponding away fixture two months ago in a match devoid of class, with misplaced passes and poor positional play. But this game was totally different with much to admire.

The Cobbydalers were without Nicky McNally and Danny Riley, Leon Smith coming in to lead the attack and Connor Erangey returning after injury.

The visitors had the bulk of possession but were thwarted by the Silsden defence which has undergone a transformation in the last month.

Skipper Josh Kaine was outstanding, reading the game with maturity and timing his tackles to perfection. His fellow defenders were almost as good. New right back Robert Foulds has hardly made an error in the four games he has played. Sam Jacomb has grown in stature since defensive coach Matty McNeil arrived and Matty Moses has started to impose himself.

Josh Lane headed over for Sandbach before Smith latched on to a chip from Mark Trueman at the other end and Ryan Moss saved his low shot.

Callum Jakovlevs made two superb saves but was denied the accolades as, on both occasions, the offside flag was raised. Silsden had a let-off ten minutes from the break when Derryn Ofori sliced wide of an empty net from close range after Jakovlevs had parried a cross.

Silsden managed to test the visitors more in the second half with Josh Eastwood making some powerful runs. There was some neat passing, with Kyle Hancock pulling the strings, but the closest the Cobbydalers got to a goal was when Will Storrie hit a cross-field ball to Smith, who drove in a low cross from the by-line. Unfortunately neither Erangey nor Hancock could get a touch on it.

Finally the opener came on 72 minutes following a defensive error. Kaine, Jacomb and Foulds were trying to play the ball out from the back but Jacomb underhit a pass and Aaron Knight slid the ball home. The same thing happened to £47.5 million defender John Stones in the Premier League last Saturday and Jacomb will learn.

The visitors were cock-a-hoop and eight minutes later they scored a second from a cross from the right. Jakovlevs rushed off his line to punch clear but he hesitated, leaving Knight an easy header which looped over the Silsden keeper.

The Cobbydalers pulled a goal back a minute from time, when Kris Stockton deflected Smith’s cross into the back of the net, but the visitors held out.

The Cobbydalers were disappointed with the result but, for many fans, this had been strong performance against a team they rated the best they had seen this season.

On Saturday the Cobbydalers travel to Widnes.

SILSDEN: Jacovlevs, Moses, Foulds (Henderson 81), Kaine, Jacomb, Trueman, Storrie, Eastwood, Smith, Hancock, Erangey.