Silsden 0 FC Oswestry Town 3

SILSDEN slumped to their third successive defeat in a performance which lacked intensity.

The sides had shared 12 goals in an incredible 6-6 draw in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season but the Cobbydalers drew a blank for the third game in a row.

Having succumbed at Sandbach the previous week, the players promised an improvement but there was not the passion needed to break out of the poor run.

Silsden welcomed back Ross Wilson to lead the attack and Lewis Morgan returned but the curse of the warm-up struck again when Josh McNulty pulled out of the starting line-up, being replaced by Tom Coulson, who slotted into an unfamiliar role at left back. Kevin Gill came into the back four to partner Josh Kaine.

Wilson was soon in the action, sliding the ball through the Oswestry defence to Chris Wademan, but the leading scorer’s right-foot shot lacked power.

The visitors took the lead after only six minutes. With Silsden slow to react to the danger, Brendon Price broke free down the right and crossed to Shaun Melusi to tap home with ease.

Melusi, who had scored two in the goal feast between the sides in Shropshire before being sent off, caused problems with his pace but he was caught offside too often.

Silsden responded as Kyle Hancock crossed for Danny Forrest, who couldn’t get a strong enough contact on a diving header. Morgan was a peripheral figure in midfield where Josh Eastwood did his best to create some momentum.

Morgan allowed Liam Molloy too much space and time to burst through the middle but his shot hit the side-netting.

Matty Moses, by far Silsden’s best player, broke up the right and crossed to Wademan, who scuffed his shot. The ball ricocheted to Wilson who, at full stretch, put it over the bar.

Molloy was having a field day down the right before Morgan made a powerful run up the right. Wilson should have done better with the low cross and, just before the break, he had a great chance to level the scores after Eastwood had set him up.

It was clear he was a bit rusty after a lay-off but no-one could fault his effort and desire – something that couldn’t be said about every player.

With the half-time whistle imminent, Oswestry double their lead, when they cruised into the Silsden area for Molloy to net.

Will Storrie, who replaced Morgan, soon broke down the right to slide the ball to Forrest but the striker couldn’t keep the ball down. At the other end, Brendon Price should have made it three when he was in the clear at the far post.

Robert Shone, at the back for Town, was outstanding in defence, nullifying the pace of Nicky McNally and Storrie as well as keeping a tight check on Wilson. Hancock, who had been another peripheral player, tried some weaving runs but they often ended down blind alleys.

Twelve minutes from time Molloy broke down the right and crossed into the box where Price tapped home the third. McNally had a one-on-one with the keeper, who parried it for a corner. No-one challenged for Hancock’s flag kick which was easily gathered by the goalkeeper – it summed up the Cobbydalers performance.

Players need to stand up and be counted now and show the kind of fight displayed in their last win at Chadderton.

A long trek to Carlisle City tomorrow night is followed by the visit of second-placed Whitchurch Alport on Saturday.

SILSDEN: Jakovlevs, Moses, Coulson, Kaine, K Gill, Eastwood, Forrest (McNally 64), Morgan (Storrie 45), Wilson, Wademan (Smith 72), Hancock.