Hallmark Security League Division One: City of Liverpool 2 Silsden 1

WITH successive victories against Alsager Town and St Helens, the Cobbydalers travelled to Merseyside full of confidence but second-placed City burst their bubble.

The club were only formed in 2015, with fans paying annually to become director-owners. A big crowd of 649 turned up for the Cobbydalers clash.

Although City are playing their home games at Bootle's ground, plans are well advanced for their own stadium next season.

Unchanged Cobbydalers started with the wind at their backs and the strong sun in their opponents' faces.

They went on the attack from the kick-off, with Chris Wademan having a shot blocked and Kyle Hancock hitting the rebound into the arms of keeper Stephen Longrigg.

A strong run by Josh Eastwood ended with with Hancock firing over after he was set up by Luke Taylor. At the other end Matthew Williams curled a free-kick wide before Josh Kaine cleared Daley Woods' corner off the line.

Will Storrie tracked back to break up another City attack before bursting down the left to earn a corner at the other end.

On 34 minutes Wademan hit the post from close range following a cross by Hancock. The ball ricocheted off the keeper for a corner, which led to a scramble in the goalmouth before Danny Bunch netted from close range to put the Yorkshiremen in the lead.

The Merseysiders response was immediate, with John Connolly heading Barry Moore's cross wide, but Silsden were searching for a second.

Storrie went close with a volley after Danny Illingworth had won a header, Bunch headed over and a speculative lob from Eastwood cleared the bar.

At the other end Illingworth rose above all else to clear with a powerful header.

It was clear from the noise coming from the home dressing room that City manager Simon Burton was unhappy with his team's performance and that he expected a massive improvement in the second half.

In contrast, Silsden boss Danny Forrest stressed the need to keep it tight for the first 10 minutes when the elements would favour the home side.

City's John Connolly shot just wide 50 seconds into the second half but he scored the equaliser on 49 minutes when he headed home a right-footed Williams free-kick from the left to claim his seventh goal in nine league appearances. The home side had claims for a penalty turned down before an in-swinging corner by Woods was headed home by Williams on 55 minutes.

Liverpool were rampant now as neat footwork from Connolly almost brought a third goal.

Silsden right back Charlie Holt had to be substituted with injury before Callum Jakovlevs made an outstanding save to keep them in the game.

Good defending by Eastwood denied Tom Peterson but when Silsden were reduced to ten men, they had a mountain to climb. Hancock was brought down by Michael Roberts, who was cautioned and Silsden were awarded a free-kick. Hancock was booked for reacting and three minutes later received another yellow card for petulance.

Illingworth was pushed up into the City area for the last few minutes but the Cobbydalers couldn't pull a goal back. Forrest was disappointed that his players hadn't followed what was expected of them but it was always going to be a challenge facing a team who, if they win their game in hand, will go top of the table.

On Friday evening the Cobbydalers host Chadderton (7.45pm).