West Didsbury and Chorlton FC 1 Silsden 1

The Cobbydalers travelled to West Didsbury and Chorlton's Recreation Ground for only the second time following a wet week, which had seen numerous postponements.

West had staged the only midweek game in both divisions and, although the surface had dried a little, it hadn't been rolled. Despite it being the same for both sides, it did give an edge to the Mancunians, who had a height advantage.

The Yorkshire side had the first attack with Chris Wademan seeing a shot blocked by Anthony Potts before a superb tackle at the other end by Ben Lamb denied Tre Baldwin-Willis. A superb tackle from Ben Lamb denied the Chorlton winger.

The hosts went ahead after 20 minutes when a long ball was hit over Danny Fagan and David Short cut into the Silsden area to guide the ball wide of Danny Thorpe.

In a two-minute spell, Silsden lost Joe Jalil and then Crabtree to hamstring pulls. Arron Hollindrake and Josh Brown replaced them, with Dale Feather dropping back into midfield.

Silsden struggled to get any momentum but West created few clear openings. The best one was when Mason hit a ball over Brown's head and Short latched on to it but Thorpe was swiftly off his line to block the effort. The ball fell into the path of Poole, who shot wide of the open goal.

A classy move saw the Cobbydalers equalise a minute before the break. Hollindrake picked up the ball on the halfway line, turned and sped into West's half. He slid the ball to Wademan, who darted between two defenders to reach the edge of the area. Feather had broken up the right and, when Wademan slid the ball into his path, he rifled it home.

The second half saw a different Silsden with more energy and desire. On the hour-mark, Nicholls broke past Mason and slid the ball across to Wademan, who had got ahead of his marker. Wademan hit a crisp left-foot shot from close range but Murphy parried and gathered at the second attempt.

A minute later the keeper was left helpless as Nicholls dribbled into the danger area to unleash a ferocious shot which rattled the junction of the bar and the post.

For the final 30 minutes, defences were on top with only Hollindrake going close with a header from a corner and substitute Kieran Brocklehurst clearing the bar at the other end.

With a period of dry weather forecast, the Cobbydalers will be hoping to get their passing game together on better surfaces. Of more concern was the mounting injury list ahead of tonight's scheduled clash at 1874 Northwich.

On Saturday Silsden visit AFC Liverpool before entertaining West Didsbury on Monday and FA Vase finalists Glossop North End on Wednesday.

SILSDEN: Thorpe, Moses, Crabtree (Brown 23), Mitchell, Fagan, Lamb, Jalil (Hollindrake 21), Moore, Wademan, Feather.