Silsden beaten by Hallam in FA Vase despite taking lead

The Cobbydalers had never gone this far in the famous old competition before, and they had put in the hard yards to get to Saturday’s fourth-round tie.

After beating Newcastle Blue Star and Billingham Synthonia in the qualifying rounds, they then overcame Redcar Athletic, Abbey Hey and Newcastle University to reach this stage.

Their ties in the first, second and third round proper were all away from home, as was their clash against Hallam at the weekend.

Like Silsden, Hallam play in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, and the pair had already faced each other twice this season.

The Cobbydalers won the first league game between the pair, 2-1 at home in early-September, but the South Yorkshire side exacted revenge in mid-November, winning that encounter 3-0.

The two sides are only separated by four points in the league, with Silsden 10th and Hallam 13th, so a close encounter was expected on Saturday in Sheffield.

The Sils made the stronger start at the weekend, Adam Clayton firing an effort into the side-netting and Jake Cassidy coming close with a header from Casey Stewart’s corner.

Silsden captain Adam Clayton had the first chance of the game, but his afternoon went downhill later on. (Image: Mike Bayly.)

Spencer Harris then had a shot from the edge of the box tipped over the bar by Hallam keeper Hugo Warhurst.

Hallam got a foothold in the game after 20 minutes, coming close from a corner, before former Sheffield Wednesday man Daniel Pudil fired a speculative effort just off target for the hosts.

At the other end, Kayle Price had a shot blocked for Silsden, with Jake Maltby mis-hitting the rebound.

The hosts should have gone in front 10 minutes before the break, when Brandon Bradbury slipped Iren Wilson through on goal.

But the Hallam striker saw the angle narrowed well by Silsden keeper Kyle Trenerry, and he could only put his effort over the bar.

A wild free-kick from Silsden’s Cody Cromack flew over the bar a few moments later, with that the last chance of an entertaining, but goalless, first half.

It did not take long for the visitors to take the lead after the break, with Ellis Hudson putting them in front on 49 minutes.

Hallam made a mistake at the back, letting Price into the box in the process.

He unselfishly squared the ball to Ellis Hudson, who rifled the ball home to give Silsden the lead.

Ellis Hudson (left) gave Silsden the lead, but sadly for them, it did not last. (Image: Mike Bayly.)

Cromack then had a shot that flew just wide, before the home side really cranked up the pressure.

Jack Brownell’s volley forced Trenerry into a good save, with Wilson smashing the rebound over the bar from close range.

A wayward shot from Cassidy flew off-target, while he was booked soon after following an accumulation of fouls.

The pressure from Hallam told just after the hour mark, when Wilson headed home a fine cross to bring his side level.

Price almost restored Silsden’s lead instantly, only for Warhurst to deny him from a tight angle.

Instead, it was Hallam who went in front on 65 minutes after a terrible mix-up in the Cobbydalers’ defence.

Basile Zottos took full advantage, rounding Trenerry and slotting the ball home to complete the quick turnaround from the hosts.

Warhurst saved from Stewart at the near post to keep his side ahead, before Silsden’s task was made much harder with seven minutes to go.

Following a Silsden corner, an off-the-ball incident took place, with Clayton raising his hands in a confrontation with his opponent, and that leading to him being given his marching orders.

The Cobbydalers kept coming though, with their 10-man almost grabbing a shock equaliser but heading over from a corner.

Seven added minutes gave Silsden further reason to believe, but their hopes were finally extinguished at the death, as Wilson kept his composure to round Trenerry and put the ball into the net.

Iren Wilson gets set to put his second goal of the day into the net and send Hallam through. (Image: Mike Bayly.)

That ended the Cobbydalers' hopes of a comeback, and ensured Hallam reached the last-16 of the FA Vase for the very first time.

Silsden do not have long to pick themselves up off the floor either, as they face an NCEL League Cup second-round tie at Tadcaster Albion tomorrow night.