Nine-man Silsden lose to Hallam as bad run goes on

Chris Salt opened the scoring for the visitors after 13 minutes of this Northern Counties East League Premier Division clash.

And while the Cobbydalers hit back through Luke Brooksbank, a sending off for Arley Barnes changed the game.

After being adjudged to have handled inside the box, the experienced defender was shown his marching orders.

Oliver Fearon did the business from the spot to make it 2-1, which is how the score remained at the break.

A second half sending off for Carlton Pownall did not help matters for Silsden, and Hallam went on to further compile the home side’s misery with goals from Salt and James Gregory.

The home side did in fact start the game on the front foot, Brooksbank flashing a couple of efforts narrowly wide of Hugo Warhurst’s upright.

A Hallam corner undid the Cobbydalers however, Salt finding plenty of space to power home a simple header for the opening goal of the game.

Brooksbank levelled the scores soon after, lashing home from close range after a loose ball dropped to him inside the penalty area.

Silsden attacker Joe Crosby was unlucky not to add a second on 27 minutes, when his low effort drifted just wide of the left-hand post.

The complexion of the game changed just before half-time, after what initially looked like a good save from keeper Hagie Damba, was given as a spot kick and red card against Barnes.

Despite going the right way, Damba was unable to keep out Fearon’s penalty

The Silsden keeper made a stunning save to stop Hallam from increasing their lead in the dying seconds of the first half, as the hosts went into the break just one goal behind.

But things soon got much worse for Silsden after the interval.

Pownall, only brought on at half-time for Jack Normanton, was dismissed after being adjudged to have made a poor challenge on Hallam winger Brandon Bradbury, leaving the Cobbydalers with a huge mountain to climb.

Although they held on for a while, a third goal looked inevitable and it came through Salt, who volleyed home a deep free-kick in spectacular fashion.

A back post tap-in from Gregory completed the scoring for sixth-placed Hallam, as they took the three points back to South Yorkshire.

As for Silsden, they are down in 12th after eight games without a win, but they will fancy their chances of ending that bad run when they face a struggling Goole side this Saturday at The Office Interiors Stadium.

Saturday’s game falls on Non-League Day, which is being celebrated across the country.

Silsden are going all out to celebrate Non-League Day at the Office Interiors Stadium. (Image: @SilsdenAFC (Twitter).)

Silsden have organised a number of events to run alongside their match with Goole, and are offering a £10 entry, pie and pint deal for fans wanting to experience local football.