FA Vase

First Qualifying Round

Silsden 4 Brandon United 0

SILSDEN finally won a knockout match after a long barren spell as they powered past Brandon United.

Last season the Cobbydalers bowed out of four cup competitions at the first hurdle. The last success in the FA Cup dates back to 2011, a victory on penalties at Rossington Main. For a victory in the Vase one has to go back to 2008, when they won at Easington Colliery. Defeats at the first hurdle against West Allotment Celtic, Guisborough Town, Tow Law, Askern Villa and Northallerton followed.

This season's draw appeared to give Silsden their best chance yet of breaking that dismal run as they took on a Brandon side who stood bottom of Division Two in the Northern League with only two points from eight games. In contrast, the Cobbydalers had risen to the dizzy heights of third in the North West Counties League Premier Division.

Yet Brandon had twice reached the first round proper of the FA Cup, losing 3-0 to Bradford City in 1979 and 2-1 to Doncaster Rovers in 1988, so nothing could be taken for granted.

Silsden began with some patient build-up play and Zack Dale saw an early cross intercepted. But they settled any nerves on ten minutes when the ball was moved swiftly up the right to Dale Feather, who saw his low cross deflected by Mark Ferguson into his own net.

A cross from Craig Nicholls, which skidded on the greasy surface, was sliced over his own bar by Joe Calvert, before long shots by Dale and Feather cleared the bar. Feather then nodded Andy Hill's cross back to Dale, who again was wide of the mark.

Matthew Moses, making his 100th appearance at the tender age of 19, had been moved to the left to replace the suspended Ben Crabtree. On 20 minutes Moses was caught upfield and the visitors mounted their first attack down their right but Danny Gleave cleared up.

With the visitors reluctant to attack, the Cobbydalers' play became too slow, allowing Brandon to get men behind the ball. Brandon crosses from both flanks came to nought before a ricochet off Kevin Ryan fell to George McCain, whose shot lacked any power. McCain was again off target when he picked up a clearance from Moses.

Brandon's best chance fell to Jeremy Allen ten minutes before the break but the youngster's effort lacked conviction.

Silsden's second goal, like their opener, was also the result of a defensive error. Mark Swindle, under pressure from Feather, slipped and the striker bore down on goal. Feather burst into the box and hit a low shot from close range. Keeper Tom Orton did well to parry it but Dale headed home to give the Cobbydalers a two-goal cushion at the break.

Both sides saw crosses cleared at the start of the second half but neither side could create clear chances.

Gleave and Ryan stood firm at the back for the Cobbydalers and, along with Nettleton, their experience caught the visiting forwards offside on several occasions.

A powerful free-kick from Hill was gathered by Orton, who launched the ball forwards. Nettleton conceded a corner, which reached David Rush. Joe Jalil blocked his shot and then McCain headed wide.

Good interplay between Dale and Nicholls almost resulted in Silsden's third goal before Phil Rishton was finally called on to make a save, the keeper flicking a volley over his bar.

Finally the Cobbydalers did make it 3-0. The in-form Nicholls broke down the right ,leaving Swindle in his wake. His low shot was well saved by Orton but Dale picked up the ball to slip it across the goal to the unmarked Nicholls, who sat the goalkeeper down before driving home.

Silsden relaxed and a Gleave error led to a chance for Aidan West, Rishton making a point-blank save. Jalil broke up another attack before Rishton was called on again to flick Rush's scissors kick over the bar.

The Cobbydalers woke up and Josh McNulty, on for Nicholls, curled a free-kick inches wide of the left-hand post, while Jalil headed against the bar and McNally, who replaced Mitchell, saw a shot deflected for a corner. McNally then saw his overhead volley punched clear.

In the dying minutes Allen went on a mazy dribble, beating three defenders before Ben Geary halted his progress with a superb tackle. As the game went into injury time, McNally followed up his own effort to conclude the scoring and set up a match at home to Garforth Town in the next round

It had not been a classic and the Cobbydalers did not need to fight as hard has they had done in the league to maintain their superb run – but a win is a win.

Silsden looked a little jaded but, after a run of two games a week, the players will welcome a midweek break before they travel to Alsager Town.

SILSDEN: Rishton, Nettleton, Moses, Gleave, Ryan, Hill (Geary 67), Jalil, Mitchell (McNally 55), Feather, Dale, Nicholls (McNulty 72). Subs (not used): Brown, Thorpe.