DANNY Forrest scored twice as Silsden kicked off their pre-season fixtures with an entertaining 3-2 home win over Colne.

Nick McNally was also on target as the Cobbydalers opened up a three-goal lead before being pegged back by last term's North West Counties League champions.

Colne pipped Runcorn Linnets for the Premier Division title on the last day of the campaign and gained promotion to the Evo-Stick League. Silsden were not so fortunate and suffered relegation despite a valiant effort in the run-in.

Both managers have since brought in newcomers. Colne boss Steve Cunningham has recruited players with experience of competing at a higher level such as Ben Woodhead, Joe Garvin, Matthew Beadle and Danny Morton, although the Reds failed to hold on to 30-goal-a-season man Jason Hart as he moved to Ramsbottom United.

Silsden boss James Gill, having brought in the experienced Forrest as his assistant at the end of last season, has also enlisted the help of Kevin Whitaker to his coaching staff.

Recent signing Luke Richardson, who has a wealth of experience, arrives from Ossett Albion and former Burnley apprentice goalkeeper Callum Jakovlevs has been picked up from Clitheroe.

Described by Gill as "very loud, a good organiser and a great shot stopper", Jakovlevs had the look of Cobbydalers legend Martin Foulger.

The hosts were soon on the offensive and a sharp turn and volley deserved more than ricocheting off the bar after only four minutes.

Joe Garvin's shot two minutes later lacked venom, while Ben Wharton shot wide following a near-post cross from Lee Pugh, who then laid the ball back to Chris Anderson but again the effort went wide.

Jakovlevs then denied Danny Boyle with an excellent save, immediately giving his defenders confidence.

Silsden edged in front as Forrest slid a ball through a wide-open Colne defence for McNally to drill the ball home on 17 minutes.

Three minutes later the lead was doubled when Forrest was brought down by Mike Morrison and the former Bantams man stroked the resulting spot-kick wide of Tony Aghayere.

When Richardson chipped the ball over a square defence, Forrest might have had a second goal but he dragged his shot wide.

Sam Jacomb then cleared a corner before Jakovlevs gathered Wharton's near-post header.

Silsden looked compact, with McNulty and Chris Wademan tracking back down the flanks and Richardson orchestrating proceedings in midfield.

Ten minutes before the break, McNally hit another effort narrowly wide – but when he then chipped the ball over the Colne defence, Forrest coolly slid the ball home to give the Cobbydalers a three-goal cushion.

Josh Kane managed to break up a Colne attack but, three minutes before the break, Garvin tucked home Wharton's cross to make it 3-1.

The flow of the game in the second half was disrupted by the numerous substitutions made by the managers, although both sides did their best to keep their shape and movement.

Colne slowly began to maintain possession and one effort was wasted before they notched a second goal on 61 minutes, Wharton blasting home from close range after a wicked bounce caught out Kane.

Further substitutions followed and both sides had other chances but the Cobbydalers held on to their lead to give themselves a real boost to confidence.

Meanwhile, the draws for the FA knockout competitions have been made and Silsden travel to Bridlington Town in the FA Cup (extra preliminary round) on Saturday, August 6.

The Cobbydalers are also away in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase as they visit Knaresborough Town on Saturday, September 10.