Cammell Laird 1907 2 Silsden 0

THE Cobbydalers couldn't repeat their victory of 2005 when they won 2-0 at the Lairds, which went a long way to sealing promotion to the top tier along with the Merseysiders.

The following season Silsden lost 1-0 in Birkenhead but the clubs had not met since as Cammell went up again.

The visitors were not at full strength but were buoyed by the midweek victory over Barnoldswick.

The Lairds were quickly out of the blocks, with keeper Danny Thorpe saving, rather fortuitously, from Paul Foy.

Injuries to Elliot Scott and Thorpe caused a long delay but both were eventually back on the field.

The Cobbydalers' first attack came down the left where Craig Nicholls picked up a ball from Chris Wademan and burst down the left. Reaching the by-line, he cut in only to be denied a goal at the near post.

After another escape for Thorpe, the Lairds were awarded a penalty. It was another decision which could have gone either way when Kevin Ryan was adjudged to have impeded Chris Cairns, who drove the spot kick down the middle to put the hosts 1-0 up after 20 minutes.

Thorpe made a great save from Joe Gibiluru and Ryan cleared the ball upfield. Joe Mitchell, who was winning tackle after tackle in midfield, put Wademan through. He beat keeper Mike Langley but Liam Hollett cleared off the line.

Despite their domination of possession, the Lairds couldn't increase their lead. The closest they came was when a misdirected clearance by Matty Moses struck Ryan and went to safety.

A cross from Arron Hollindrake was met by Nicholls but his shot cleared the bar. Hollindrake was injured and replaced by Talent Ndlovu.

In the first minute of the second half, Nicholls cut back onto his right foot from deep on the left and curled in a dipping shot. Langley, at full stretch, managed to tip it for a corner. Wademan was then pushed over in the Merseysiders' penalty area but no whistle went.

Jay Clare was unlucky when his shot through a group of players came back off the far post but, with Mitchell winning the ball in midfield and Ryan outstanding at the back, there was still a chance for the Cobbydalers to get something.

However, on 75 minutes the hosts went 2-0 up. With Ryan and Danny Haworth in the box, Ndlovu hit a short corner to the edge of the box which was easily intercepted.

Cairns broke up the left and slid the ball to Jamie Watkinson. His shot was sliced but Hollett was there to slide the ball home.

Ndlovu volleyed over late in the game but the damage had been done. However there was evidence that some of the new boys are coming to terms with football at this level.

Haworth, Lee Guilfoyle and Scott all had solid games and substitute Stephen Smith looked very lively.

Silsden are at home to Darwen on Tuesday.

SILSDEN: Thorpe, Moses, Scott (Smith 54), Ryan, Guilfoyle, Mitchell, Haworth, Broderick, Nicholls, Hollindrake(Ndlovu 45), Wademan.