SILSDEN pulled off the mother of all comebacks last night to book their spot in the FA Cup first qualifying round, as they turned the tables spectacularly on Ramsbottom United.
The initial game finished 1-1 in West Yorkshire, United grabbing a last-gasp equaliser at the Regal Interiors Stadium to send the tie to a replay.
But that dramatic finale had nothing on last night’s astonishing denouement.
Silsden were 2-0 down three minutes into second-half stoppage-time, Ramsbottom having scored twice in the opening quarter of the game.
In an entertaining affair, both sides had their chances thereafter, and crucially Silsden keeper Tommy Brown made two brilliant saves late on to stop the hosts getting a killer third goal.
Kayle Price then scored what looked like a consolation goal for the Cobbydalers, but they were not finished.
Incredibly, they found an equaliser, as defender Corey Billy popped up with a rare goal with seconds to go.
To a shellshocked Ramsbottom’s credit, they were the better side in extra-time.
The hosts forced Brown into a superb save, while a remarkable passage of play saw Silsden have to clear the ball off the line three times, twice through Danny Hunt and once via Isaac Robinson.
The game eventually went to penalties and Ramsbottom had the early upper hand there too, after Cody Cromack missed Silsden’s first effort.
But Brown saved the second spot-kick from the hosts, before Robinson levelled the scores.
Price’s successful effort ensured it was 2-2 after three penalties apiece, before Ramsbottom missed their fourth spot-kick.
But then Jake Cassidy was denied as the Cobbydalers missed their chance to take advantage.
They made no mistake second time around though, and after Ramsbottom failed with their fifth penalty, Jake Maltby stepped up to score the winner from the spot.
Silsden’s reward now for winning in the most astonishing fashion is a first qualifying round tie at home to Bootle on the weekend of August 30.
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