Macron Cup Third Round: Silsden 1 1874 Northwich 0 (after extra time)

NICKY McNally's extra-time winner put the Cobbydalers into the last eight of the Macron Cup in a victory built upon a disciplined defensive performance against a team 34 places above them in the North West Counties League.

Silsden booked a quarter-final place at home to City of Liverpool or Hanley Town, who play tonight, after keeping only their second clean sheet of the season – and their first since August 13.

Boss Danny Forrest’s move to bring in defensive coach Matty McNeil is beginning to reap dividends. New signing Robert Foulds had a fine debut at right back, while Sam Jacomb had his best game of the season.

But it was the desire to get behind the ball when possession was surrendered that made the difference in what some fans viewed as Silsden's best performance of the season.

Will Storrie came closest to netting the opener on ten minutes when he hit a dipping drive which cleared the visitors’ bar. Three minutes later the Premier Division team went even closer. Keeper Callum Jakovlevs punched a corner from the right to the edge of the area, where Ryan Jackson volleyed goalwards only for Matty Moses to scramble the ball for another flag kick.

Silsden’s shape looked better with more emphasis on defending. But Jakovlevs prevented Northwich from taking the lead with two outstanding saves in five minutes.

A cross from Tyler Edwards was met by a Jackson header which the Silsden keeper tipped over the bar from point-blank range. Then Sam Hind got his head on a cross from the right and was again thwarted by another superb save from Jakovlevs.

The visitors had more of the possession in the half but Silsden were always in the game. Moses epitomised the new resolve with a crunching tackle on Jackson. Danny Riley went closest for the Yorkshiremen with a header just before the break.

The opening period of the second half followed a similar pattern but the visitors’ attacks were often halted by the tenacious Connor Erangey and Josh Eastwood. Both players showed great discipline and energy and were involved in a five-man move which almost brought Silsden the opener. McNally, latching onto Eastwood’s through ball, was denied by keeper Greg Hall.

The longer the game went on the more Silsden’s confidence grew and Northwich were forced to defend some quick breaks down the flanks.

The visitors’ frustration led to a red card for Paul Connor ten minutes before full time for a foolish reaction. However, Josh Kaine headed clear twice in the dying minutes to ensure the game went into extra-time.

With tiredness creeping in, the game opened up. Leon Smith went close after a 60-yard burst up the right but his effort cleared the bar.

Jacomb cleared the danger at the other end before Eastwood found McNally with a defence-splitting pass. With only the keeper, he was tripped by Daniel Thomas in the area.

Thomas saw red as Northwich were reduced to nine men. Hall saved McNally’s resulting spot-kick but he couldn’t stop the striker’s follow-up with 15 minutes to go.

Northwich went for broke – a shot from Jack Woolley was scrambled for a corner and then left back Matt Russell went on a mazy dribble from well inside his own half. He weaved past six tired Silsden players but, with only the keeper to beat, sliced his effort wide and pulled a muscle in the process.

He deserved better but Silsden claimed victory and will hope to make more cup progress on Wednesday when they host FC Halifax Town in the West Riding County Cup.

The Cobbydalers head to AFC Blackpool in the league on Saturday.

SILSDEN: Jakovlevs, Moses, Foulds, Kaine, Jacomb, Erangey, Storrie, Eastwood, McNally, Hancock (Cox 110), Riley (Smith 80).