The Emirates FA Cup

Extra preliminary round

Silsden 2

West Allotment Celtic 1

THIS victory booked Silsden a mouth-watering all-North West Counties League Premier Division tie against Padiham on Saturday, August 29.

The Cobbydalers started the sharper against their Northern League Division One visitors, and a teasing ball down Celtic's left caused confusion in just the third minute, Ian Dunn slicing the ball into the path of Craig Nicholls, who, from almost 30 yards, delightfully chipped goalkeeper Daniel Mullen to put the hosts ahead.

Celtic, who have lost their opening two league games, gradually forced their way back into the game with a host of half-chances.

The best came on ten minutes when Silsden keeper Danny Thorpe's sloppy fell at Scott Pocklington's feet, and his glorious cross picked out David Webster, whose header went agonisingly over the bar.

Then only a last-ditch tackle by the ever-dependable Kevin Ryan kept the north east team at bay.

However, Silsden were also causing problems of their own via the forward trio of Chris Wademan, Nicholls, and Talent Ndlovu.

Unfortunately, young home defender Joshua Brown limped off after 30 minutes after twisting a knee, being replaced by Will Storrie.

The midfield battle between opposing captains Joe Mitchell (Silsden) and Dunn caught the eye but the Cobbydalers could have gone 2-0 ahead when Nicholls latched onto Mitchell's through ball and glided past the keeper only for his acutely-angled shot to go narrowly wide of the post.

And another chance went begging just before half-time when Nicholls' cut-back to Ndlovu resulted in a side-foot shot from eight yards rolling wide of Celtic's right-hand post.

Celtic were the better side early in the second half, Storrie conceding a corner when tracking back, but Silsden were still creating chances, Wademan's left-foot curler whistling past that same visitors' post.

But on 62 minutes, Wademan's industry was rewarded after Nicholls' precise ball into the box from the left, the forward waiting at the back post to make it 2-0.

Nicholls left the field to well-deserved applause late in the piece before Patrick Cameron notched a consolation goal for the Tyne & Wear side.

The Cobbydalers travel to Alsager Town on Saturday before they have an FA Cup rehearsal – this time at Padiham – next Tuesday.