Silsden 2 Winsford United 3

SILSDEN were unable to return to winning ways following their midweek hiding at Blackpool.

The management team shuffled the pack, bringing in Joe Jalil at right back for Matty Moses and former club captain James Nettleton for Lee Guilfoyle in central defence, while Zack Dale replaced Jack Brooks in midfield.

In a lively start from the visitors, Sam Cook’s incisive run and snap shot was foiled by a diving save from goalkeeper Danny Thorpe.

Winsford had the better of the early exchanges but Silsden took the lead in the 15th minute. Joe Mitchell played the ball out left to Chris Wademan, whose left-footed shot low across goal went in off the far post.

At the other end, Kevin Ryan did well to block a goal-bound shot from the edge of the box but Winsford were level after 30 minutes. A free-kick played in from wide on the right found Danny Egan, who ghosted in to flick his header beyond Thorpe, who was rooted to his line.

The visitors continued to press and their pressure told after 39 minutes in bizarre circumstances a deep cross was missed by Ryan and not cleared by Jalil, the ball dropping to Egan who poked home from close range.

At the other end, Aaron Hollindrake had a shot deflected for a corner, while Winsford almost extended their lead following Kyle Riley’s run and diagonal pass which found the elusive Cook but Thorpe intervened, expertly blocking with his knees for a corner at his near post.

Despite Silsden re-grouping and introducing Eliot Scott at left back to replace Ben Crabtree, Winsford picked up in the second period where they left off, with Thorpe having to claw away another goal-bound effort from Cook.

He wasn’t to be denied, albeit in unfortunate circumstances for Silsden, as Ryan’s pass was intercepted by Cook, who broke forward into the box and drew Thorpe before neatly chipping home to make it 3-1.

Silsden responded swiftly by withdrawing Broderick and putting Craig Nicholls into the fray upon his return from injury. Thorpe saved well again in the 69th minute when Egan’s shot from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection.

Silsden did pull a goal back in the 87th minute when Scott’s free-kick found that man Nicholls, who carried the ball into the box, before poking past the advancing Lewis Moston but it was too little too late as Winsford moved up to sixth place. Silsden must re-group and prepare for the local derby against high flying Barnoldswick on tonight in what will be another stern test for the Cobbydalers.

Silsden: Thorpe, Jalil, Crabtree (Scott 45), Nettleton, Ryan, Mitchell (c), Broderick (Nicholls C 62), Ndlovu, Hollindrake, Wademan, Dale (Smith 70). Subs not used: Storrie & Butterfield.