Silsden got their NCEL Premier Division season off to the best possible start with a 3-0 win over local rivals Campion at the Regal Interiors Stadium on Friday night.
A first half Kayle Price free kick was followed by Luke Brooksbank and Casey Stewart strikes in the second 45 to round off a comfortable evening for the Cobbydalers.
The Silsden side featured a number of familiar faces as well as multiple of new signings, who it seems have already settled in well to life at Keighley Road.
It took just 10 minutes for the home side to lead as last season’s top scorer Price continued his goal scoring antics with a powerful, drilled free kick from just outside the penalty area after Stewart had been brought down.
As the half continued the visitors looked for a route back into the game and they would go close when new Silsden stopper Callum Bradbury scuffed his clearance into the path of Zak Khan.
With the goal at Khan’s mercy, Bradbury did brilliantly to recover and smother the ball away from his feet.
Price should have perhaps doubled his and Silsden’s tally when a corner dropped to him in the penalty area, Jordan Moorehouse did well to stick out a leg and deflect his poked effort away.
Into the second half and the home side looked to push forward and double their advantage.
Stewart provided some good foot work on the edge of the area to find himself half-a-yard of space, before firing his shot narrowly wide of the upright.
At the other end, Campion would have some opportunities of their own as Aiden Kirby fired wide on the turn and Nicky Boshell curled a tame effort into the gloves of Bradbury.
It would be Silsden who grabbed the next goal however, as a long throw caused all kind of issues for the Campion defence and Brooksbank took full advantage, smashing home left-footed from close in.
Campion would have the ball in the net on 80 minutes as a header from a free kick found its way in but the linesman had already raised his flag.
The introduction of Tom Greaves late on provided the Cobbydalers with a powerful outlet in the latter stages of the game and it would be his influence that provided the third goal for Silsden.
A long ball forward found the former Thackley man who controlled wonderfully before driving inside the penalty area and cutting back for Stewart to place home the third.
Opening day delight for Silsden sets them up well heading into Saturday’s away FA Cup clash with Northern Premier League side Liversedge.
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