AFC Liverpool 2, Silsden 0

SILSDEN travelled to AFC Liverpool on Grand National Day hoping to be first past the post as they looked to improve on a recent run of poor North West Counties League form.

The Cobbydalers had won just one and drawn three of their previous eight games, with the goals having dried up.

With the score at 0-0 midway through the second half, the visitors had two golden chances to take the lead but neither Dale Feather nor Aaron Hollindrake could convert.

Ten minutes later, Reds top scorer Ryan Cox notched his 32nd of the season and Francis Barry sealed the victory 17 minutes from time.

Silsden had been lifted by the news that keeper Danny Thorpe had passed a fitness test, while Danny Fagan retuned at the back with Kevin Ryan pushed into midfield.

Chris Wademan was given a start after coming on at third-placed 1874 Northwich and scoring a late screamer, although that midweek Premier Division outing finished in a 6-1 drubbing.

This was the depleted Cobbydalers' heaviest reverse of the season and was not helped by red cards for young first-team debutant Connor Erangey and Feather, while an injured Joe Jalil had to take over in goal after Thorpe was forced off.

The Cobbydalers started in confident mood at AFC Liverpool, with Wademan volleying narrowly over in the opening minutes from outside the box.

Hollindrake netted two minutes later but the goal was disallowed after it had spun off the hand of Craig Nicholls. A superb cross from Wademan on the right then found Hollindrake on the edge of the area but Jack Sinnott managed to block his effort.

The Reds managed to get behind the Silsden back four on 13 minutes but Thorpe made a low save to his left to deny Barry. A weak shot from Steven Jones followed after a pass from Joe Mitchell was intercepted.

The Cobbydalers were caught square on 30 minutes and left back Tom Williams broke through. Fagan chased back and Thorpe came out of his area, Thomas lobbed the ball goalwards but Ben Lamb cleared off the line.

Wademan looked back to his best and another break down the right set up a chance for Hollindrake at the far post but host keeper Ryan Nield narrowed the angle and Hollindrake's shot hit the side-netting.

Barry again broke free down the left but Thorpe managed to parry the shot, which rose sharply off a divot, and then denied Cox, who had drifted in from the right.

The Reds had a purple patch with Cox and Barry causing problems and Silsden were relieved when the former player curled a shot beyond the reach of Thorpe, only to strike the far post.

The half finished with Mitchell and Nicholls combining to set up a chance for Hollindrake, who saw his header go beyond the near post.

The second half started with Barry testing Thorpe, then at the other end Fagan – under pressure from James Buckley – saw his shot saved.

Matty Moses was left exposed at left back when Muktar Mahama was not tracked and the Reds full back drove the ball into the path of Jones, who hit a fierce volley just over the Silsden bar.

Mahama again broke away down the right as Silsden had not learned their lesson and only the intervention of Thorpe prevented Liverpool from taking the lead.

On 52 minutes, Mitchell fed Wademan on the right and, breaking up the wing, he managed to cross the ball into the Reds area. Hollindrake's decoy run fooled the defence but Nicholls' shot was too near Nield to cause any trouble.

Then followed two clear opportunities for the Cobbydalers. A cross from Moses saw two defenders leaving it to each other. Feather was unmarked ten yards out but he scuffed his shot straight to the keeper.

Wademan (hamstring) was replaced by Joe Jalil but Nicholls immediately crossed from the right. Neither Nield nor Buckley could reach the ball and Hollindrake had the goal at his mercy but he failed to get a touch on the ball.

Nicholls was next to get a shot in after good work from Ryan and then Hollindrake hit an effort over the bar.

The Cobbydalers were finally punished for their profligacy when Moses was again left unprotected. Cox cut in from the right and drove the ball home in the 68th minute.

Then three minutes later, it was all over. Despite the efforts of Ryan, Barry got the final touch after the Silsden defence was opened up.

Aiden Smith came on for Feather as Silsden huffed and puffed. Substitute Marios Avram nearly added a third for the Reds before Mitchell was denied a consolation goal when Nield tipped his volley over the bar.

SILSDEN: Thorpe, Moore, Moses, Mitchell, Fagan, Lamb, Ryan, Feather (Smith 74), Hollindrake, Wademan (Jalil 57), Nicholls. Sub (not used) Brown.

* Silsden's under-19s beat their Field counterparts 3-0, with Pedro Quintas converting a penalty after he had been felled in the box before Andrew Brigg and Casey Dowthwaite completed the scoring before half-time.