Silsden Ladies 7 Bradford Park Avenue Ladies 1

A MAGNIFICENT performance in cold, wet and blustery conditions put a smile on Silsden faces as they clinched their first league win of the season in emphatic style.

The outcome could have been very different if Park Avenue had taken advantage of the Cobbydalers' lacklustre start.

A couple of missed opportunities for the visitors served as a wake-up call as a fabulous cross from Izzy Di Franco found Jess Buck unmarked at the far post to give Silsden the lead.

Confidence was growing and the goal of the match followed. Sophie Gaines and Harriet Persson-Brewer exchanged passes to release Di Franco, who finished superbly to increase the lead.

Persson-Brewer, who was proving to be a real handful for the young Park Avenue full back, made a forceful burst to reach another through ball from Gaines - revelling in her free role - to round the keeper before slotting home nonchalantly.

Becca Brown and Laura Fagan were in outstanding form and had Park Avenue's dangerous front player completely under control. Naomi Di Franco was providing pace and skill down the right flank and Christina Aston continued her excellent form on the left with some inch-perfect passing.

The second half saw Silsden continue to control play and when Gaines danced through once again, Megan Robson Owens was quicker to the ball than the keeper to increase the lead.

Aston then released Hollie Kirtley, who hammered the ball majestically into the corner. Nicola Frankland and Vicky Ellis were masterminding the midfield and keeping the team on the front foot. Persson-Brewer made her presence felt with a strong challenge that left her through on goal and the keeper just stood and watched as she slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Park Avenue pulled a goal back with a precise lob but Silsden had the final say when Buck put the icing on the cake with goal number seven.