SILSDEN suffered FA Trophy heartbreak at home to Stocksbridge Park Steels on Tuesday night, as they bowed out of the competition after a dramatic penalty shootout.
This was the Cobbydalers’ first-ever appearance in the competition off the back of getting promoted last season, but they held their own, beating Atherton Collieries and Nantwich Town before taking Stocksbridge all the way.
This third qualifying round tie was due to take place on Saturday at the Regal Interiors Stadium, but it was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
The teams reconvened again three days later and Silsden were superb in the first half on Tuesday night.
Skipper Harry Coates and striker Kayle Price both going close with headers before Luke Brooksbank shot narrowly wide from a tight angle.
But Stocksbridge still carried a threat at the other end, home keeper Tommy Brown forced into a brilliant save to keep out a snapshot.
Jake Maltby set up Price to bend an effort inches wide moments before the break, but the game remained goalless at half-time.
Silsden were largely on the front foot early in the second half, but it was via a lightning breakaway that they took the lead on 55 minutes.
Danny Hunt and David Bayoh combined to set up a great chance for Brooksbank, who composed himself before slotting the ball past the keeper and into the net.
Stocksbridge grew increasingly threatening as the second half wore on and that pressure paid off when they equalised off the back of a corner six minutes from time.
The game finished 1-1, but only after Brown had made two superb stops at the death to keep the visitors out.
The tie went to penalties after 90 minutes, and though Brooksbank’s opening spot-kick was kept out, Brown saved the visitors’ first one as well.
Then came five successful penalties in a row, Silsden’s courtesy of Cody Cromack, Price and Jordan Carroll.
When Brown saved Stocksbridge’s fourth spot-kick, Maltby had a chance to seal victory for Silsden, but he missed, taking things to sudden death.
Mo Gashi put Silsden 4-3 up, but the visitors responded and when Coates failed from the spot, Stocksbridge hit the target with their seventh penalty to win the shootout 5-4, putting them into a first-round tie at Hyde United.
Silsden’s focus is on the Northern Premier League East Division now.
They sit bottom by a point but could move out of the drop zone with a home win over fellow strugglers Newton Aycliffe this Saturday.
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