Silsden 3 Thornaby 1

THE Cobbydalers eased into the first round of the FA Vase with a victory over Northern League Division One side Thornaby FC. The Cobbydalers saw a host of chances saved or squandered before Craig Nicholls' goal 20 minutes from time settled the nerves.

With Lee Guilfoyle suspended, Jack Brooks dropped into the back four. Elliott Scott came in at left back for the injured Andy Lee and Will Storrie started in place of Craig Nicholls.

There was some sparring in the opening ten minutes before the Cobbydalers upped the pace. Talent Ndlovu's superb turn took out two defenders but, after a penetrating run, he was crowded out by four defenders. Next Zack Dale burst through from the right but his final touch gave keeper Adrian Bobwolski the opportunity to block his shot.

Chris Wademan, on fire at the moment, outpaced the defence on the right and crossed low into the box. Ndlovu was there but, under pressure, he shot wide. However it wasn't long before Silsden took the lead and it was WADEMAN who pushed through the Teessiders' defence to slide the ball under Bobwolski midway through the half.

A miss-kick by Danny Thorpe gave Elliott McGlade the chance of an immediate response but the keeper was able to gather the winger's shot at the near post. At the other end the Cobbydalers forwards were rampant. Ndlovu had another chance and a move involving Storrie and Wademan ended with Moses seeing his volley well blocked. Bobwolski then saved a screamer from Dale.

The visitors finally broke forwards and Kevin Ryan had to clear up after Jack Brooks' slip allowed the Blues to get to the edge of the area. Thorpe then had to push a shot from Nathan Steel for a corner and he then saved Kieron Edwards' low drive. At the other end Dale broke clear but Bobwolski was, once again, his equal.

After Thorpe had saved from Steel, Wademan broke clear on the right. His cross to the far post was perfect but Dale, under no pressure, shot wide of the far post.

The game should have been over by the break but the profligacy of the Cobbydalers gave the visitors hope. They came out for the second period with a more positive attitude. James Rowe headed Edwards' cross wide at the far post. A throw in from Moses was intercepted by Steel who saw two chances blocked by Brooks and Broderick then Steven Morrison headed wide at the far post.

Zack Dale, being eased back to full fitness, was replaced by Craig Nicholls, himself having recovered from a hamstring problem. The initiative moved back to the Cobbydalers. A powerful run by Scott Elliott freed Storrie but his effort cleared the bar before Nicholls set up Wademan, who saw his shot rebound off the far post with the keeper beaten. The “Tasmanian Devil” then rifled a shot over the bar following deft interplay between Nicholls and Ndlovu.

Great defending at the other end maintained Silsden's clean sheet before some magic from NICHOLLS put Silsden in the comfort zone. Unfortunately the striker felt a twinge and was immediately replaced by Hollindrake.

The game wasn't over. Steel turned Brooks one way then another before shooting low at the near post. Thorpe made a superb save, followed up with a block of Elliot McGlades' effort in a one-on-one.

Ndlovu's pace was creating more chances and he found himself in the clear twice. His pass to Wademan, ten yards out and in the clear, was under-hit and then he tried to “walk” the ball into the net and was dispossessed.

Substitute Stephen Smith then shot over before Wademan hit the post for a second time with Joe Mitchell seeing the follow-up effort blocked by Bobwolski.

Silsden should have killed the game off but, on 85 minutes, Moses could only deflect Steel's shot off the bar and into his own net. Two minutes later Thorpe made his best save of the match to deny Steel an equaliser then, in the final minute of the game, Hollindrake threaded the ball through to WADEMAN who got the goal he deserved to set up a home tie with NWCFL Division One side, Daisy Hill, in the next round.

The Cobbydalers return to the League on Saturday for the visit of Runcorn Town before they travel to the seaside to play AFC Blackpool on the following Tuesday.

SILSDEN AFC Thorpe, Moses, Elliott, Brooks, Ryan, Mitchell, Storrie(Smith 63), Broderick, Dale(Nicholls 54{ Hollindrake 69}), Wademan, Ndlovu. Subs not used Crabtree, Butterfield.

THORNABY FC Bobwolski, Morrison, Horsman, Browne, Davies, Honeyman, Joseph, Rowe(Duff 61), Steel, Edwards, McGlade. Subs not used Mitchell, Edwards.