Silsden 0 Congleton Town 3

The Cobbydalers' run of five wins on the trot at the start of the year is beginning to look like a dream after a draw against bottom club Bacup was followed by this defeat against mid-table Congleton.

Is it just a blip or has there been a change in style which the players haven't adapted to?

One factor which is outside the control of the management team is the loss of skipper Kevin Ryan, who had held the defence together and also scored vital goals.

Against the Bears the Cobbydalers lacked the confidence which had been evident when they were attacking with pace and creating chances.

The introduction of Michael Morrison in midfield and, particularly, Robert Grimes up front, has seen the ball held for longer, allowing opponents to organise their defences.

That said had Silsden taken the lead, then confidence would have grown. When Craig Nicholls won a corner in the third minute, the Bears were fortunate that a miskick by a defender hit his own post rather than going in the net.

With Josh Brown partnering Ben Lamb at the back, the Cobbydalers weren't troubled in the air and Morrison showed some class in midfield with some neat lay-offs.

A long ball from Danny Thorpe reached Grimes but the final pass to Nicholls was just too short. A powerful run by Ben Crabtree saw the full back slip the ball between two defenders for Grimes to run on to but his shot from the edge of the box cleared the bar.

Nicholls saw his powerful run halted by Nathan Haynes and Matty Moses drove a cross into the arms of keeper Dale Eve.

The Bears took the lead on 29 minutes when George Whiteoak found space in the Silsden box and drove the ball beyond Danny Thorpe. Three minutes later a sublime move involving Ruiz on the left and McGowan in the middle, left Lamb and Brown mesmerised in the middle and Lee Jackson had time to place his shot wide of Thorpe.

It would be unfair to blame the back four for all the problems as only the dependable Joe Mitchell was tracking back to offer defensive cover.

A mistake by Brown might have led to a third but Aaron Kirk blasted his effort over the bar.

At the other end, a good one-two involving Josh McNulty and Grimes ended with the former shooting tamely into the arms of Eve.

A superb ball from Mitchell found Nicholls but for once the striker's first touch was too heavy and the chance was lost.

Chris Wademan broke though two tackles before threading the ball to Grimes but the Silsden man tripped his marker when heading for goal.

Congleton looked comfortable and held the pedestrian Cobbydalers until Aaron Hollindrake replaced Grimes with 30 minutes left.

Immediately, the sub broke into the penalty area on to a ball from Moses, but he delayed his shot and was forced to hold up the ball. The support was slow in coming.

Andy Hill came on for McNulty and his first pass freed Nicholls, who drove the ball into the path of Hollindrake who saw his effort blocked.

With four minutes left the Bears sealed victory when Scott McGowan found an ocean of space and slid home past the helpless Thorpe.

Silsden trooped off looking shell-shocked. Many of the young players have put in some excellent performances and provided rich entertainment for the fans, who are longing for the swift, flowing adventurous football of earlier in the season.

The Cobbydalers have no game on Saturday as scheduled visitors Glossop North End have an FA Vase replay against Shaw Lane Aquaforce. Silsden's next game is on Tuesday, March 10 at Colne (7.45pm).

SILSDEN: Thorpe, Moses, Crabtree, Mitchell, Brown, Lamb, Wademan, Morrison (Moore 85), Grimes (Hollindrake 63), McNulty (Hill 73), Nicholls.