Silsden 0 Nelson 1
Silsden slumped to a home defeat at the hands of bottom side Nelson on Bank Holiday Monday.
The loss adds to the air of disbelief following the Cobbydalers last defeat at the hands of lowly Abbey Hey.
Nelson's had shown improvement in their recent matches but had no tangible rewards for their efforts.
Following a very poor first half they might have expected the Cobbydalers to land the killer punch.
But Nelson had other ideas and boosted by the aerial superiority of their centre backs they scored following a breakaway.
The goal revealed a worrying touch of naivity from Silsden.
The Cobbydalers were awarded a free-kick on the right, just outside the box.
Centre backs Shaun Airey and Martin Bland had moved up for a cross but instead the ball was touched by Michael Rhodes on to Danny Moriarty who ran across the box hoping to get in a shot.
Unable to find space the ball was passed to Mark Bentham who was quickly closed down.
Nelson seized possession and broke quickly down the left flank where James Nettleton found himself faced by two attackers.
Gary Smith fed Alex Mugan who dummied both Nettleton and Martin Foulger before blasting the ball home in some style.
Once again Silsden were below par although they did hit the woodwork twice and created several good chances.
Youngster Sam Rooke partnered Lee Reilly up front but on this occasion he won few headers against Darren Wright and Chris Gallagher.
Despite this Silsden persisted with the long ball up the middle. Without help from the midfield men who failed to support the two front men, let alone get ahead of them it was up to Reilly to create the openings.
The striker has hit a barren patch but still worked hard to create openings.
A header from a cross by Danny McNulty was off target whilst the next from Rhodes's cross was tipped over the bar by Billy Carrington at full stretch.
Reilly also got the better of Gallagher only to shoot wide of the near post. Another dribble into the box saw the striker denied by a last-ditch tackle.
At the other end Nelson's shooting was woeful with Gallagher, Ed O'Neil and Mugan all clearing the bar.
Their best chance came as a result of a mix up between Bland and Andy King, the latter eventually tripping Danny Stanley on the edge of the box.
The free-kick was blasted into the wall and Tim Hird blocked the follow-up effort.
Nelson were then awarded a corner when it was they who had crossed the ball behind Foulger's goal. It would have been controversial had they scored but Nettleton cleared Wright's shot over the bar.
Carrington then made a fine save from Airey's far post header following a McNulty corner. Bland headed on the next one, Harry Thompson shot on the turn but the ball rebounded off the woodwork.
Moriarty replaced King at the interval but Silsden still lacked the edge in midfield.
Whether this was a lack of confidence or the fear of making mistakes it needed someone to roll up their sleeves and battle for the ball.
The Silsden fans found themselves repeating the comments they had made at Abbey Hey, "They were more up for it".
Nelson began to grow in confidence. They pushed the ball about and Foulger had to be at his best to finger tip Mark Banyard's shot beyond the post.
Gallagher saw the next shot deflected over the Silsden bar before Foulger saved again from Banyard.
At the other end Carrington punched the ball off Rooke's head whilst the youngster went close with a cross shot from the left.
Foulger again saved well from Gallagher and two fine headers from Nettleton denied the Lancastrians further opportunities.
Bland recovered to deny Smith following a superb ball from Gallagher before he was moved forward and Silsden manager Paul Schofield threw on Mark Bentham and Martin Packer.
Even Bland failed to win the high ball against the Nelson centre backs. Moriarty struck the base of Carrington's post to confirm that this wasn't Silsden's day.
This Saturday the Cobbydalers entertain Glossop North End, who still have promotion hopes. Kick-off is at 3pm.
Schofield and coach Richard Chattoe have plenty to think about but they do need 100 per cent from all who pull on the red shirt.
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