Hallmark Security League Division One: Silsden 2 Eccleshall 1

FOR the second time in four days, Silsden left it late to clinch victory against struggling Eccleshall.

The Cobbydalers had won their midweek encounter against them 4-2 with two goals in the last two minutes from Tom Henderson and Nicky McNally.

And last Saturday it was Josh Eastwood who secured another triumph at the death with an 88th-minute winner.

Eastwood had replaced Chris Wademan in the only change to the Cobbydalers line-up, while the visitors were forced to make eight changes. With the Staffordshire outfit having won only three league games, the result looked a formality but it certainly wasn’t.

Mark Everingham shot narrowly wide for the hosts before McNally went close for the Reds but his dipping volley and powerful header cleared the bar. The dried-out pitch caused problems in a half where passes were regularly misplaced.

The visitors' plan to pack their defence was working. Only twice did they venture into the Silsden half but on the second occasion a low in-swinging corner beat Tom Henderson at the near post and Kyle Dovey netted on 45 minutes.

Eccleshall were lifted and proved more of a threat in the second half, although Callum Jakovlevs in the home goal was only troubled after a mix-up with Dan Illingworth.

Silsden huffed and puffed but only livened up when substitutes Danny Bunch and Mark Trueman replaced the injured McNally and Ben Cox, who just had one of those days after some excellent recent performances.

The Cobbydalers looked more lively and on 65 minutes Everingham volleyed home Aaron Davis’ cross from the edge of the penalty area. Bunch certainly livened things up with his pace and directness, hitting his first effort just over the bar.

Everingham curled a ball agonisingly wide before Davis’ cross caused panic in the visitors’ goal area, a move which ended when Bunch’s bicycle kick cleared the bar.

Silsden pushed for the winner but Eccleshall continued to pack their goal area as half-chances were not taken, Trueman going closest.

But with two minutes to go, Matty Moses sent Henderson away down the right and his cross was volleyed home by Eastwood.

It hadn't been 'the beautiful game' but sometimes teams have to win ugly as Silsden earned their third victory in a week.

A tough visit tomorrow to in-form Widnes, who have won their last six games, is next up for the Cobbydalers before a trip to Holker Old Boys on Easter Saturday is followed by the visit of Atherton LR on Easter Monday (3pm).

SILSDEN: Jacovlevs, Moses, Vincent, Kaine, Illingworth, Cox (Trueman 60), Davis (Storton 75), Eastwood, McNally (Bunch 60), Henderson, Everingham.