1874 Northwich 5

Silsden 0

SILSDEN'S poor run continued when they went down to 1874 Northwich in the Hallmark League Premier Division.

Injuries and self-inflicted suspensions have left the Cobbydalers bereft of the flair and drive they had at the beginning of the season.

A single defeat in their past eight games is proof that 1874 have improved over the past few weeks, while the Yorkshiremen are finding the going tough at the moment.

With five regulars missing, Danny Forrest brought in new signing Rick Ainscough, a former Blackburn Rovers trainee who has had a spell in the USA, Canada, Finland and Gibraltar and has been training with Clitheroe.

But 1874 took the lead after only six minutes when Taylor Kennerley connected with Callum Gardner’s cross from the right with a crisp volley.

A second would have followed had Sammy Lee not reacted smartly to save low to his left, when Gardner swept Scott McGowan’s centre towards goal shortly afterwards.

Silsden were lucky not to concede a penalty when Mark Everingham handled Kennerley’s cross, but the visitors were finding it hard to get a grip of the midfield.

Northwich were in complete control but the Cobbydalers were holding out.

Unfortunately, four minutes before the break, referee Adam Brown pointed to the spot after Gardner was tripped by Josh Kaine.

Lee blocked McGowan’s penalty, but the striker reacted sharply to hammer the loose ball into the net.

The pattern hardly changed at the start of the second half and it wasn’t long before an unmarked Matthew Woolley headed in Kennerley’s free-kick from close-range.

Silsden responded when Richard Ainscough prompted Northwich keeper, James Coates to make a fine save when he met Will Storrie’s cross. However Ainscough was conspicuous for the wrong reasons at the other end when he wrestled Jack Irlam to the floor at a set-piece to concede another spot-kick. McGowan left Lee with no chance to save his spot kick, making it 4-0.

Lee conceded an indirect free-kick when he picked up a back-pass. Riley struck the ball with force as if to emphasise 1874’s pressure.

The Cobbydalers' best attempt followed when Reece Kendall attacked from left-back and fired low from distance. The bounce in front of Coates made for an awkward save, before Lee fumbled Irlam’s free-kick in the final minutes but was relieved when no one followed up.

The Cobbydalers entertain Bedlington Terriers in the second round of the FA Vase on Saturday.

1874 Northwich: Coates, Connor, Jones, Pritchard (Thomas 60), Russell, Gardner (Hare 68), Matthew Woolley, Irlam, Kennerley, McGowan (Weir 77), Riley. Subs not used: Waite-Jackson, Tucker.

Silsden: Lee, Everingham, Kaine, Bentham, Kendall, Storrie, Ainscough, Rhodes, Sultan (Craven 61), Forrest (Hardisty-Blackwell 81), Kirby. Subs not used: Darkin, Keen, Moses