GOALS from Marc Young and Sean Airey saw 10-man Silsden suffer a 2-0 defeat to Barnoldswick Town in the West Riding County Cup First Round last night.

Hosts Town were swiftly into their stride, forcing a corner but Silsden soon gained some initiative. Reece Kendall set up Arley Barnes, who drove in a low shot, which was cleared, as was Reece Lyndon’s effort after a break down the right by Will Storrie. Niall Sultan then went close before Barlick broke free. Josh Kaine halted Zak Dale, who was injured in the challenge and had to be substituted.

Silsden were unlucky not to take the lead after 11 minutes when Kendall headed Sultan’s cross goalwards. Ryan Livesey managed to push it onto the bar. Kendall, under pressure, headed the rebound over.

Dan Illingworth hit a super ball which just skidded ahead of Sultan.

Barlick took charge with Elliot Fenton cutting in from the left. Kaine half-cleared the ball but it was driven back in. However, Sammy Lee saved low down at the near post. Kaine denied Jack Coop at the expense of a corner.

Barnes hit a superb ball through the Barlick defence. Kirby was on it in a flash but Livesey denied him with a finger-tip save. Illingworth went close from a corner and Storrie’s left-foot curler grazed the far post. Sultan (hamstring) was replaced by Luke Baldwin.

Barlick’s Harry Thomson fed Andy Hill but Kaine managed to block his shot.

It had been a thoroughly entertaining half with some slick football but that all changed on the stroke of half time.

Silsden's Reece Lyndon’s tackle on Mark Threlfall was deemed dangerous and he was shown the red card. Threlfall continued to play for the rest of the game.

In stoppage time Young latched onto a free-kick to open the scoring for Barlick.

Two minutes into the second half Airey headed home a corner. Kaine (back) was replaced by Kendall.

Kirby cut behind the defence but was denied by the keeper’s feet and then the Silsden striker hit the Barlick bar. With Silsden attacking and a man down, Barlick could counter attack. Lee made a superb save from Fenton before Kendall sent Kirby through again, but the striker was out of luck.

Silsden manager Danny Forrest came on for Everingham (groin). Barnes played a one-two with Kirby but no matter how much they tried the Silsden forwards were out of luck.

The closest they came to a goal was when Young’s back-pass beat his own keeper but went wide of the far post.

Kirby then joined the injury list before Luke Baldwin almost pulled a goal back after a mazy dribble as the final whistle went.