IT is just over five weeks since Silsden suffered a shock, but deserved, 3-1 West Riding County Cup loss at lower-tier neighbours Steeton.

That was their third defeat in a row, and the first real test in the embryonic reign of young joint-managers Matt Cavanagh and Luke Lavery.

But the Cobbydalers moved up to fourth in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division after thumping Maltby Main 5-1 on Saturday, their fifth straight league win.

Cavanagh told the Keighley News: "Steeton was very disappointing for us.

"It was a local derby and we wanted to win it to go through to the next round, but it wasn't to be.

"We knew we had to improve and we've worked on a few things since.

"It's clicking slowly, but I knew we'd get there eventually.

"It takes that time with a young side like ours and there'll still be plenty more ups and downs this season, as every game in this league is tough."

Danny Forrest, who is now Guiseley's assistant manager, had established Silsden as solid mid-table side in this division, but can Cavanagh and Lavery take them to the next level?

Cavanagh said: "I've only been at the club for a couple of seasons, but I think the highest they've finished since moving over to this division from the North West Counties is 10th (in 2019/20).

"Every manager at every level wants to finish as high as they can in their division, and win the league.

"But we always felt this would be a transitional year, as we lost a lot of lads to other clubs over the summer, and tried to bring in as much young, local quality as we could to replace them.

"We didn't expect to be up in fourth (they could drop to fifth if Winterton Rangers beat Handsworth in their scheduled league game tonight), especially with all the injuries we had in the first eight weeks of the season.

"The side has been more settled of late, which has helped us, but there's still a long way to go until the season ends in April."

Cavanagh insists the team pride themselves on keeping clean sheets more than scoring goals, but their attackers have done the business of late.

He said: "Joe Crosby has been an excellent attacking signing from Harrogate Railway, while Ellis Hudson and Luke Brooksbank are two young forwards who have started well for us.

"There's also Finn Donovan and Alex Stewart performing well at the top end of the pitch, then you have the experience of Ant Brown, who's just getting back to full fitness.

"His work rate has been superb lately and he's been a handful for defenders.

"This has all been without two key attackers. Brad Riley is out for the season with an ACL injury and Jos Bradshaw picked up a bad knock at Steeton, so he won't be back any time soon either."

Silsden visit fellow high-fliers Garforth Town on Saturday, and Cavanagh said: "A win would put a marker down.

"But I don't think our season will be defined by the result on Saturday.

"Garforth are a very good side, and we probably go into the game as underdogs, despite winning five in a row.

"They, and the likes of (top two) North Ferriby and Emley, as well as Hemsworth and Penistone, are top teams and have experience at this level.

"We'll try and go quietly about our business and see where we end up, but we're focusing on one game at a time."