AN impressive crowd of over 500 watched on as visiting Silsden were defeated 3-0 by a high-flying Emley side on Saturday in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

Goals from Iyrwah Gooden, former Cobbydaler Joe Jagger and Paul Walker were enough to hand the Pewits the three points.

Things could have gone differently on another day, with the visitors having their fair share of chances, but a second defeat in under a week saw Silsden slip down the table to 12th.

The opening exchanges saw opportunities for the visitors.

First, skipper Kyle Hancock screwed an effort wide from the edge of the box, before Luke Brooksbank, who had made a great run into the six-yard area, mistimed his finish and sent the ball past the upright.

Two quickfire goals from the hosts then completely changed the game.

Gooden opened the scoring, latching on to a cross before poking the ball beyond Silsden goalkeeper Sam Kelly for 1-0.

Just moments later, the Silsden defence were caught dallying in possession, allowing the division’s top scorer Jagger to smash home a second for Emley.

From then on, the Cobbydalers were forced to search for a route back into the game.

Ant Brown saw a huge penalty shout waved away before Talent Ndlovu let fly from distance, only to see his effort go narrowly wide of the post.

There were opportunities aplenty for both sides, Gooden heading over the top from a corner, before Silsden striker Jos Bradshaw had a low shot tipped round the post by a diving Dec Lambton.

The second half continued in the same manner.

Silsden defender Alex Laird put his body on the line to deny Jagger a second, while at the other end, Lambton denied both Bradshaw and Brooksbank in quick succession.

Silsden’s best chance came on 65 minutes, after brilliant work down the right from Ellis Hudson set Brown free near the penalty spot.

But to the despair of the visiting supporters, the experienced striker sent the ball well over Lambton’s crossbar.

To sum up the visitors' day, Emley immediately went up the other end and scored.

Despite Kelly’s best efforts, saving a powerful Jagger drive, the former Emley man was unable to prevent Walker’s headed rebound from dropping into the back of the net for 3-0.

Kelly was then called into action soon after, pushing away a long-range free kick before recovering brilliantly to smother the rebound.

His determined resilience did not stop there either, the young stopper reacting quickly to turn a close-range effort over the bar and prevent a fourth for the hosts.

Silsden have the opportunity to put things right tomorrow night in 'The Railway Derby' with Steeton at Marley.

Kick-off in that West Riding County Cup first round fixture is at 7:45pm.