Silsden 2 Barnoldswick Town 0

CRAIG Nicholls made a goal-scoring return from injury as the Cobbydalers completed a rare treble over neighbours Barlick.

Having already beaten them in the league and the West Riding County Cup earlier this season, Silsden made it a hat-trick with goals from Chris Wademan and Nicholls. Wademan's early goal may have settled the nerves but it was Nicholls who lit up the match.

Nicholls, who had damaged his thigh at Stockport Sports in November, had missed the last four games for the Cobbydalers, three of which had ended in defeat.

Although his injury had healed, it was still a risk and he was playing under the instructions that if there was any twinge at all he would be substituted immediately.

Nicholls came through the first half without any trouble and then, after only three minutes of the second half, he picked the ball up midway into the Barlick half.

He started a diagonal run which was to eventually see him speed past five players before he shot across the face of goal and into the far corner of the net.

Silsden boss Andy Geary, who was without Danny Fagan and Andy Hill, brought in Josh Brown at the back to partner Ben Lamb and Josh McNulty came in on the left.

Barlick also had to make changes. Having seen two keepers shown red cards in a matter of three weeks, coach James Gill called upon the services of former Silsden team-mate Martin Foulger.

Although the veteran keeper could do little with the two opening goals, he did deny Aaron Hollindrake in the dying minutes with a point-blank save.

Barlick, boasting five former Cobbydalers in their starting line-up, attacked from the kick-off but as soon as Silsden won the ball back, it was moved swiftly up to Tom Henderson, who had pulled away from his marker.

The ball was switched to Nicholls on the right and he crossed low into the six-yard box where Wademan ran across his marker to slot the ball home after only two minutes.

Silsden almost doubled their lead when a free-kick from Ben Crabtree was headed back from the far post by Brown to Kevin Ryan, who dragged his shot agonisingly wide.

Town gained some momentum but their attacks often broke down on the edge of the box, where Joe Mitchell and Lamb both put in excellent tackles.

Ten minutes before the break, McNulty nipped in to steal the ball off Jake McEneaney. The winger got to the byline and crossed to Wademan at the far post. With Foulger stranded, Paul Walker managed to clear for a corner.

With five minutes of the half left, Martin Broderick broke down the left but Brown cleared the danger before Mitchell blocked an effort from Joel Melia, who had cut his way to the edge of the Silsden area.

The game was delicately poised at the interval but it did not take long before Nicholls struck in the second half. Crabtree forced Foulger to make another save before Nicholls notched his goal to put the hosts firmly in control.

With Barlick searching for a goal, the game became stretched and Wademan went on thrilling run into the box. He was tackled but the ball fell kindly to Henderson who failed to get enough power on his shot.

Kieron Lee went on a run down the left but his cross was intercepted by Ben Lamb while, at the other end, Wademan hit the side-netting with team-mates in support.

With twenty minutes left, the experienced Mark Threlfall, who had been well-shackled by Brown, also gave Town a lifeline. He outjumped the Silsden defence but his header from a Shaun Airey free-kick rebounded off the far post.

Man-of -the-match Mitchell blocked another effort from Stewart Airdrie and then closed down Lee near his own goal line.

A save from Foulger kept the deficit to two before Hollindrake went close in the 90th minute.

Geary was delighted with the result but more so the performance.

He said: “It was good to have Craig back but even more pleasing to get a clean sheet.

"We have given soft goals away recently and it has cost us points and a place in the County Cup semi-final. I thought the back five were excellent but the stars were Ryan and Mitchell in midfield, the “engine-house” of the team.

"They broke up attack after attack and gave the forwards freedom to express themselves.”

With consecutive home games against St Helens Town (this Saturday) and Winsford United, the Cobbydalers will be hoping to start 2015 on a positive note.

SILSDEN:Thorpe, Moses, Crabtree, Lamb, Brown, Ryan, Wademan, Mitchell, Henderson(Hollindrake 70), Nicholls (Deakin-Pickard 85), McNulty (Jalil 63).

BARNOLDSWICK TOWN: Foulger, Walker, Lee (Lee 87), Corken, McEneaney, Airey, Melia, Broderick (Cavanagh 63), Threlfall, Beckwith (Airdrie 70), Thompson.

Attendance: 248.