Silsden depleted further by Gaughan exit (From Keighley News)

Silsden depleted further by Gaughan exit

5:00pm Friday 8th March 2013 in Sport By Ian Whiting

Silsden are set to lose another key player as striker Joe Gaughan heads for New Zealand.

Skipper James Nettleton left for neighbours Barnoldswick in early January and the loss of former Bradford City junior Gaughan, who was Silsden’s top scorer last season, is a blow to an already-thin squad.

Press secretary Jim Rosser said: “We haven’t recovered from losing James Nettleton. Since he left us we have been very, very naïve defensively.

“Netts going hit us hard and we have a very thin squad.

“We will be losing another this week because Joe Gaughan is going to New Zealand on Monday.

“He is joining one of our former players, Martin Packer, and playing for a team in Wellington. Joe tells me the team he is signing for plays in New Zealand’s equivalent of our Championship, the country’s second division.”

The Cobbydalers have not won since January 5 but remain hopeful of beating the drop and are still seven points clear of the relegation zone. There is also a possibility that only one club will drop out of the North West Counties League Premier Division this season.

Rosser added: “We are still in trouble but other clubs are worse off at the moment. Rumours are circulating that only one club will go this year. I don’t know why, restructuring or someone dropping out of a league above.

“I hope it doesn’t come down to us having our fingers crossed waiting for a reprieve.”