Silsden went into Saturday’s derby with visiting Eccleshill United looking for the three points that would take them second in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, writes Nigel Hall.
But instead, the hosts had to settle for a 1-1 draw, as Nash Connolly’s early goal for the Cobbydalers was cancelled out at the start of the second half by former Steeton midfielder Josh McKiernon.
Eccleshill came into this fixture after a crazy game against Beverley in midweek that produced 11 goals in their 6-5 home victory.
A few new faces had come into the Silsden camp during the week, including Corey Billy who was with Thackley last season, and slotted in as centre back for this derby.
Straight from the kick off, the Sils were on top and, as early as the second minute, Ellis Hudson tested the Eccleshill keeper with a stinging shot.
The one-way traffic was to be the story for the majority of the first half and while Luke Brooksbank and Kayle Price were well kept out by the visitors, Silsden’s pressure finally told in the 14th minute.
Brooksbank beat the Eccleshill offside trap and squared it for a tap in for Connolly.
There was controversy just before the half-hour mark, when Price went clean though and appeared to be taken down by the last defender.
The referee deemed there to be a covering Eccleshill man, and that seemingly saved Ben Gordon from being sent off, and he was handed a yellow card instead.
Price’s free kick was then saved well by keeper Ed Wilczyski, before he made a fine stop from Harry Coates’ header.
The game calmed down up to the break but with Eccleshill yet to offer a clear chance or shot on goal in the first 45 minutes, Silsden were hot favourites to claim victory.
But as suspected by the gathered fans in the main stand, the hosts came to rue those missed chances.
It was a different Eagles side after the break and they levelled in the 52nd minute.
Zack Sangster forced a save from Silsden stopper Callum Bradbury and from the resulting corner, McKiernon headed home.
The Cobbydalers responded immediately with a free kick only for it to be pushed wide by the keeper yet again.
The game then developed into an end-to-end affair but with Eccleshill probably shading it.
In the 73rd minute, Silsden had new boy Billy to thank for remaining level as a sidefooted shot looked to be finding the corner of the net before he got a block in the way.
With just under 10 minutes to go, Mo Conteh struck an effort off the post following a Silden corner, the shot seemingly taking a slight deflection on the way.
That was the last real chance the home side managed, as a frantic second half ended 1-1.
Speaking after the game, Silsden joint-boss Matt Cavanagh said: “It was a solid first half in which we created plenty of chances but we need to learn to kill the game when we are on top.
“It’s another local derby that we share the points in but overall I’m disappointed because we didn’t come out of the changing rooms and got what we deserved sadly.”
“On the bright side, Corey did really well and fitted into the back line.
“His distribution and reading of the game were excellent.
“He’s a great age for us to develop and bring on his game to help him and our side.”
The Cobbydalers currently sit fifth in the NCEL Premier Division with a trip to Handsworth up next this Saturday.
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