Abbey Hey 2 Silsden 1

The Cobbydalers travelled to Gorton to take on newly-promoted Abbey Hey last Saturday, hoping to kick on after earning a thrilling draw at home to Stockport Sports in midweek.

But despite taking an early lead they came back empty-handed.

The Cobbydalers, who were without Matthew Moses and Josh McNulty, went ahead after just seven minutes. Chris Wademan was tripped on the edge of the box and Andy Hill curled his free-kick beyond the stranded Ross Heywood.

Nathan Egan then hit a drive narrowly wide before Abbey began to win the battle in midfield as Justin Pickering volleyed just too high.

Kristian Hargreaves had a curling free-kick tipped over by Heywood but then the game turned in a two-minute spell.

Anthony Young hit a ball down the right to Dale Feather, who raced to the byline and whipped a low cross into the area.

The ball reached Will Storrie on the left, who picked out Ben Crabtree on the edge of the area. Crabtree hit a venomous left-foot effort which just grazed the outside of Heywood’s left-hand post.

Within a minute, though, Abbey had equalised. From a possible 2-0 to 1-1!

Worse than that, the equaliser came from an error as Wademan lost possession high up the pitch with the Cobbydalers stretched. Abbey broke down the right and Scott Hardy hit a cross into the area. The ball struck Young’s arm and the official awarded a spot-kick – the fourth the Cobbydalers have conceded to date.

James Moss blasted home to level the scores after 37 minutes. Nicky McNally came on for Wademan in the second half but the problem was in the midfield where the pace was sluggish.

Fortunately the back four, led by Steve Throup in the middle, were solid.

Despite the Abbey domination of possession, the Cobbydalers still managed to create chances, with Egan going close on several occasions. Feather and Hill also threatened and, had Silsden managed to take one of their chances, they might well have been able to hold out.

But the pressure eventually told. Throup’s ball up the right was intercepted and swift passing down the Abbey left led to a low cross.

Substitute Emmanuel Dube reached the far post ahead of Hall and Hargreaves to put Abbey in front with 15 minutes left.

The Cobbydalers had little left in the tank until the final minute when Egan broke through the midfield. He was halted by Des Flanagan’s cynical foul.

Hill took the free-kick from a similar position to that from which he scored in the opening half. Unfortunately, he blasted his effort over the bar.

Silsden boss Andy Geary said: “Although we were outpassed for much of the game, the back four kept us in it.

“Looking at the stats, we did have enough chances to have gained at least a point.

“With no game next mid-week, we will have time to take stock and work on our strengths and weaknesses.”

Silsden, who are due to visit Bacup & Rossendale Borough tonight, host pace-setters Maine Road on Saturday, who have won six of their opening seven league games.

SILSDEN: Hall, Houlker, Hargreaves, Young, Throup, Hill, Feather, Crabtree (Jalil 65), Egan, Wademan (McNally 45), Storrie (Lynch 75).