Abbey Hey 1 Silsden 3

THE COBBYDALERS moved off the bottom with their second win since October, though it wasn't all plain sailing after they went a goal behind early in the second half.

Kevin Ryan dropped back into midfield in the absence of Andy Hill to partner Joe Mitchell.

The first half was a dour affair and the only clear-cut chance fell to Kyle Hancock, who brought a superb save from Jonny McIlwaine with a rasping 25-yard drive following a one-two with Danny Forrest.

Abbey Hey's best effort came from Nico Hardy but his weak shot was comfortably saved by Ed Hall.

Silsden had played with the wind in the first half and through balls were often over-hit. At the start of the second half Hancock fired over and Forrest headed wide from a corner before the Mancunians took the lead.

Ryan Cattermole played a back pass to Hall but the keeper hadn’t spotted the danger and Jack Tinning charged down Hall's clearance for the opener.

Silsden finally settled and the equaliser was a classic. Cattermole moved the ball up to Mitchell, who drove forwards before sliding the ball into the path of Ryan. The ball was move on to Chris Wademan, who played a one-two with the overlapping Matty Moses before hitting a low shot past McIlwaine.

Abbey responded with two efforts from Kane Hickman before McIlwaine made another remarkable save to deny Forrest. The Silsden striker killed a cross from the right before flicking the ball up and volleying goalwards from six yards out. Somehow Abbey's keeper pushed it for a corner.

Hey broke away on the right but, when Nico Hardy cut inside Cattermole, he shot wide with George Noon screaming for the ball. It was a costly miss as McIlwaine was unable to deny Forrest the goal he deserved. Two minutes later Moses crossed to Forrest, who made it three with 20 minutes to go.

Abbey strove hard for the equaliser but Hall saved easily from Tinning and Jon Hardy drove another effort wide, as did Sam Freakes.

Delighted Silsden boss James Gill said: “That's just what we needed. We went close to beating West Didsbury on Tuesday and had enough chances to win. We have played well in many of the recent games but just fell short in the end. With five games at home, its in our own hands. We need the fans behind us. Be assured we will be 100 per cent committed on the pitch.”

Silsden host AFC Blackpool tomorrow night.

Silsden: Hall, Moses, Cattermole, Harrison, Kaine, Mitchell, McNally (Henderson 60), Ryan, Forrest, Wademan (Gill 84), Hancock.