Silsden AFC 2 Stockport Town 0

AIDEN Kirby and Matty Tomas fired Silsden AFC four points clear at the top of Hallmark Security League Division One in a home victory over Stockport Town.

THE Cobbydalers entertained Stockport Town, hoping to notch another three points in their quest for promotion.

A recent run of three consecutive wins, 10 goals scored and four conceded, had moved Town up the table and the Cobbydalers had to be aware of the goal threat of Jesurun Unchegbulam and Ben Halfacre who had notched four goals apiece.

Both sides tried to keep the ball on the grass, aiming to create chances through maintaining possession. In the opening exchanges Matty Moses fed Niall Sultan on two separate occasions but both times keeper Kyle Haslam was swiftly off his line to clear the ball.

Reece Kendal headed a Kyle Hancock corner over the bar before Kirby interchanged passes with Hancock before shooting wide.

Stockport gradually settled but Kendall denied Unchegbulam before hitting a through ball, which Kiarno Simms cleared.

Dan Illingworth’s fantastic tackle denied Halfacre a chance, before the crowd were on their feet when Kyle Haslam tipped Chris Wademan’s 35-yard volley over the bar.

Niall Sultan, just back from suspension, found his match in the pacey Ezequiel Miranda, but pulled up with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Tomas midway through the half.

Uchegbulam created an opening down the right but Jakovlevs saved before Silsden broke forwards, Hancock’s effort ending up on the roof of the net.

Kirby then shot over the bar before Silsden were pushed back for the final minutes of the half, Rhys Webb’s shot being deflected over the bar.

Kaine was booked in the opening minutes of the second-half but the free-kick was cleared before Jakovlevs gathered Webb’s effort at the second attempt.

Gradually the momentum swung to the Cobbydalers but Kirby was halted on the edge of the area before Kendal hit a cross shot just wide. Back came the visitors, Ruben Concalves heading just over. The Cobbydalers, with Illingworth supreme and Kaine difficult to beat, were still being driven forwards by the vision of Barnes.

A melee took place after Wademan was fouled in midfield, Wademan was punched and eventually Downes was dismissed.

The visitors lost their discipline and handed the initiative to the league leaders.

Haslam managed to parry a shot from Tomas and a superb cross from Barnes was missed by two defenders and the unsighted Wademan.

Ten minutes to go. Mark Everingham, on for Hancock, chased a ball down the right, stretching to cross it into the box.

Wademan’s shot was saved but in that one moment Silsden had grasped the initiative.

Wademan was replaced by Arron Davis. The substitute immediately brought a save from Haslam but the ball bounced off his chest.

Kirby was on it in a flash to rifle home. Two minutes from full time Waldron, at left back, was dispossessed by pressure. The ball was crossed into the box and Tomas buried it in the back of the net.