Soccer: Late goal hits Silsden

From the archive, first published Friday 3rd Feb 2006.

Newcastle Town 3 Silsden 2 - Had any spectators left the game on the hour mark and picked up the Sunday papers they would have thought there had been a printers' error in the match result.

For the first hour Silsden were in total command with two strikes from Gill, and the `Castle' were only just in the game as the result of a defensive mistake when the ball was surrendered too cheaply and Foulger, rushing out of his area was easily chipped by Heath.

The game turned in the sixtieth minute. Town's manager Nigel Gleghorn made a double substitution and the Cobbydaler's had a goal disallowed. For the Silsden players this was the straw that broke the camel's back having seen a number of marginal decisions go against them. Unfortunately they lost their composure and were soon undone by substitutes Talbot and Teague who injected more pace and guile into the Town's attack.

Anthony Gill opened the scoring in the eighth minute when he slotted home a pass from Jamie Longley, having been fed by Whiteoak.

Longley proved a real threat to the home defence twisting and turning; he gave the experienced Diskin a torrid time. Diskin was fortunate not to be booked in the opening half when he upended Longley. Finally the official had seen enough and the centre back was duly cautioned.

Minutes later 'Castle were level. Silsden were attacking on the right but needlessly put the ball out for a throw in. The ball reached the impressive Lennon who moved it into the path of Heath who was pursued by Hird. Foulger was swiftly out but easily beaten to the ball by Heath who chipped it home from 30 yards.

Town relied heavily on the long ball whilst Silsden tried to play through the midfield where the tenacious tackling of Hird helped the Yorkshiremen to maintain their forward momentum. Foulger twice had to rush out to clear over-hit passes but he was largely untroubled until late in the half. Beck forced the keeper into a save with an in swinging free kick and also saw Rosser head away a dangerous cross from the left although he wasted a better chance following a mix up between Bland and Rhodes.

Matthew Bland had been brought in to replace his injured brother and like Martin was commanding in the air and dangerous at set pieces. He seemed impeded as he strove to head goalwards following a free kick but did get a clean contact on a corner from Rhodes. Longley headed the ball on only to see Jowsey tip it onto the bar.

Packer looking back to his best was instrumental in several good attacks, one leading to a chance for Gill and another when Gill headed down for Longley.

Tom Appelbee was also in the action seeing a low cross from the by line deflected for a corner. Another superb turn from Longley saw the ball moved out to Packer. His cross was headed out but only to Hird who shot marginally wide. Town's best move came as the half came to and end .The ball was worked across the box to Johnson but Foulger and Rosser managed to block the shot.

Silsden were soon ahead after the break. Rosser had already seen his free kick just clear the far post before Gill scored his second. Gill was first to respond when Heath and Gleghorn failed to clear the ball in the box, Gill slotting the ball under the diving Jowsey.

Longley might have made it three soon afterwards had he shot earlier when put through by Gill. Jowsey managed to push him wide and then tip the shot for a corner.

Appelby then teased the defence down the right before setting up Whiteoak but the shot was delayed and nought came of it. Down the left Longley again beat his man with a dip of the shoulder and fed Packer. A sublime dummy from the winger led to a cross which Gillick sliced into the air. Gill volleyed firmly but Jowsey got down low to parry the ball away.

Silsden were in total command and scored a `third'. Packer picked the ball up on the halfway way line and burst through the Town midfield. The ball was moved to Longley who held it up before releasing Packer to slide the ball home. Unfortunately the official ruled no goal and Silsden soon found themselves a goal down rather than two up.

Substitute Teague saw one effort tipped over by Foulger before putting the Staffordshire boys level. The ball was swung in from the right and hit with some venom by Lennon. Foulger was able to parry it but Bott followed up to score from a yard out.

Another cross from the right was nodded down to Foulger's right. Foulger managed to save a la `Banks against Pele.' Unfortunately the ball fell to Teague who rifled it home. Silsden managed to break down both flanks but the Town were well in command.

Foulger saved from Depieza and Lennon. Rosser headed clear then blocked a shot from Lennon. Nettleton headed a Teague shot off the line. Before Lennon shot over the bar. Holmes might have had a penalty following a throw in but Town were in no mood to surrender their lead.

In the end Silsden had Foulger to thank that the result was so narrow. Geary was delighted by the performance in the first hour but stressed the need for the team to kill games off in the latter stages.

This Saturday the Cobbydalers are away at St. Helens.

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