Hallmark Security League Division One: Atherton LR 0 Silsden 1 THE COBBYDALERS finished the year on a high note thanks to a penalty save by Callum Jakovlevs, a goal from Josh Eastwood and an excellent defensive performance.

Crilly Park hasn’t always been a happy hunting ground for the Reds, with its slope and a heavy surface, but the result lifted Silsden to 16th with games in hand on all but three of the teams above them.

Atherton played with the slope in their favour in the first half and, on 15 minutes, Beck Murray headed a free-kick over the bar.

Two minutes later they could have taken the lead when Sam Jacomb miscued a clearance to Alex Guest, who shot wide. Jacomb pulled back Adam Owens on 20 minutes and a spot-kick was awarded. Fortunately for Silsden, Owens hit the penalty too near to Jakovlevs, who pushed it for a corner.

The save lifted the Cobbydalers, who started to take control in the middle of the pitch with Mark Trueman pulling the strings.

Twice he sent Josh Eastwood free. First, Eastwood’s shot was saved, then later he crossed the ball to Tom Henderson, who hit the ball across the keeper but there was no support.

Trueman went close with a shot from 25 yards before Eastwood put the Cobbydalers in front on 40 minutes after home keeper Louis Murray had parried shots from Eastwood and Henderson.

Silsden almost went two up immediately when Henderson latched on to a through-ball from Connor Erangey.

Danny Forrest's men should have scored more goals in the second half, which they dominated.

Josh Kaine was a rock at the heart of the defence but it was Daniel Vincent, at right back, who provided a masterclass – cool when defending and threatening when attacking down the right.

Despite creating chances, the Cobbydalers couldn’t get the killer second goal. Will Storrie shot over following a mazy dribble and then Erangey had a shot saved.

Atherton thought they had equalised from a corner on 65 minutes but the linesman’s flag was raised as the ball had curled out of play before the goal was scored.

Vincent sent Storrie free on the right but the ball was driven too near the keeper with substitute Nicky McNally waiting to pull the trigger. Further efforts from Storrie and McNally were saved as the Cobbydalers played out time in the bottom corners of the pitch.

Forrest was delighted with the three points and especially the clean sheet. Hopefully, Silsden can start the new year with a league win against Prestwich Heys at home on Saturday before travelling to Tadcaster on Tuesday night in the West Riding County Cup quarter-finals.

SILSDEN: Jakovlevs, Vincent, Erangey, Kaine, Jacomb, Trueman, Storrie, Eastwood, Henderson (McNally 73), Hancock, Hillhouse (Foulds 70). Subs not used: Busfield, Cox, Storton.