Ramsbottom United 0 Silsden 2

Silsden got back to winning ways on a rain soaked pitch on Saturday with second half goals by Danny McNulty and Andy King.

Silsden at last had beaten the Rams at the fifth attempt, although having struck the woodwork twice in the first half it looked as if the luck was with the Lancastrians.

The heavy rain started just before kick off but the pitch held up well. The game flowed from end to end with both sides intent on playing push and run football.

The Rams had the first chance following mistakes by Michael Rhodes and Martin Packer, Rob Crank shooting wide.

A break by Daniel Moriarty opened up the way for Tim Hird to burst through. His shot was blocked but Lee Reilly followed up with a chip which John Ogden saved comfortably.

Silsden keeper Martin Foulger then saved from Crank and Hird blocked Matt Eckersley's shot. A poor free-kick from Foulger put James Nettleton under pressure but Foulger saved Dean Thurston's diagonal shot at full stretch.

Silsden then had a period of prolonged possession. Reilly and Packer worked an opening for Andy King but the striker was wide of the target.

Mark Bentham and Hird gained the upper hand in midfield but after a good build up there were no takers for Rhodes' inviting cross.

On a break away Crank headed over following Thurston's strong dribble.

Moriarty then cut in from the right only to shoot beyond the far post before Andy King unleashed a venomous volley from the edge of the box. Ogden was beaten but the effort struck the bar.

On Silsden's next attack Bentham powered through the middle only to see his shot rebound off the woodwork. Lester, facing his own goal, kicked wildly. He was relieved to see his effort clear his own bar.

At the other end John Blackley had a shot charged down and Foulger saved from Crank. The Rams were quickest out of blocks in the second half and Foulger was soon in action tipping Lee McNally's rising drive for a corner. When Vaughan cut in on the left it was only Bentham's swift intervention which prevented the Rams scoring the opener.

It was the Cobbydalers who finally took the lead. McNulty, who was allowed to run from deep, hit a low drive which barely left the turf before it hit the back of the net to put the Yorkshiremen in front.

The came back when Eckersley created a chance for Matty Kay but Foulger's goal remained intact courtesy of the bar.

The pitch got heavier but Silsden soaked up the pressure with Nettleton, this time partnered by the composed Liam King, once again imperious in his reading of the game.

Whilst the Rams still tried to find their way through with short sharp passes the Cobbydalers used the conditions better spreading the play across the pitch.

King was wide with another effort following Moriarty's defence-splitting pass. Moriarty was unfortunate to see his left foot effort rise just too high.

Finally Andy King got on the scoresheet. Chris Simpson, on for Reilly, broke free on the right before crossing to the penalty spot where King blasted the ball under the diving Ogden. Foulger kept a clean sheet with a fine save from McNally.

This Saturday the Cobbydalers visit Squires Gate.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Ogden, Williams (Aston), Eckersley, Lester, McLellan (McAllister), Blackley, McNally, Kay, Crank (Sensale), Thurston, Vaughan, Subs not used: Pearson, Pulvino.

SILSDEN: Foulger, Rhodes, Liam King, Nettleton, McNulty, Moriarty, Hird, Bentham, Packer (Applebee), Reilly (Simpson), Andy King (Thompson).