Hallmark Security League Division One: Widnes 4 Silsden 1 (match abandoned after 65mins due to fog)

SILSDEN were given a let-off when their match was one of three in the league to be abandoned due to fog.

The Cobbydalers were trailing by three goals when the officials called the game off due to a lack of visibility.

The mist of the first half had thickened over the break and it became difficult, then impossible, to see the other half of the pitch from the stand.

It was tough on the home side, while Silsden will know what to expect when they return to replay the game.

A crowd of just 39 turned up at the 13,500 capacity Select Security Stadium Halton, home of the Widnes Vikings where Widnes play their matches.

The hosts have been on a great run, winning eight of their last ten matches and drawing the other two. That run has put them in seventh place with games in hand over all the teams above them. Like Oswestry Town, they have the advantage of playing on a 4G pitch.

Silsden were unchanged, apart from the inclusion of new signing Daniel Vincent, who, in the absence of Leon Smith and Nicky McNally, was given the task of leading the attack. Vincent gradually dropped back into the midfield and Matt McNeil, taking charge while Danny Forrest was away, pushed Kyle Hancock forward.

The Whites, who had finished 13th in a league of 18 last season, are managed by Joey Dunn, who took over in mid-November having previously been in charge at Runcorn Linnets.

A look at the Widnes squad showed a big gulf in experience and achievement in comparison with the young Cobbydalers, with most of the home team having played at two or three steps higher.

That was soon evident as Karl Ledsham put the Whites in front on 13 minutes with a rocket from 35 yards, a goal that would have graced a game at any level.

Two minutes later Kevin Towey made it two with a poacher's goal after Silsden had blocked two close-range efforts.

Josh Eastwood came close to pulling one back, spotting the Widnes keeper off his line and chipping the ball just over from 25 yards.

Will Storrie looked the best outlet for Silsden, his pace troubling the home defence down the right, but he lacked support. At the other end, the pace and movement of Widnes' forwards tested the Cobbydalers rearguard. It was another lesson for Josh Kaine and Sam Jacomb but they did well.

Towey made it 3-0 with his second and Callum Jakovlevs tipped another volley over the bar.

Hancock cut through the Widnes defence but his shot was gathered comfortably before Silsden pulled a goal back eight minutes before the break. Kaine drove a ball down the right and Storrie cut inside Daniel Hand and shot home low into the bottom corner.

Ledsham latched onto a though ball from out of the mist to drive home Widnes’ fourth after the break before Jakovlevs denied him a hat-trick with his feet.

Then the referee called a halt to proceedings as the fog became too thick.

Silsden return to action on Boxing Day (3pm) at home to Bacup Borough.

SILSDEN: Jakovlevs, Moses, Foulds, Kaine, Jacomb, Trueman, Storrie, Eastwood, Vincent, Hancock, Erangey (Henderson 62).