A second half penalty from Ellis Hudson proved to be the difference in Silsden’s 1-0 win over Handsworth at the Express Worktops Stadium on Saturday afternoon, writes Nigel Hall.

In truth, the scoreline didn’t reflect the frantic nature of the game with both sides creating a number of clear-cut chances, but lacking the cutting edge to finish them off.

The result was excellent news for Silsden, who moved up to fourth in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division table as a result.

Handsworth came out firing at the start of the first half, forcing a number of early blocks from the Silsden defence, then striking an effort wide of the target from inside the penalty area.

Silsden hit back though and thought they had taken the lead through Kayle Price’s close range effort only for the linesman’s flag to go up soon after.

The back and forth nature of the game continued, Luke Brooksbank and Hudson both seeing speculative efforts well saved by Michael Roxburgh before Sils defender Harry Coates was forced into a smart goal line clearance on the half-hour mark.

Silsden new boy Corey Billy was then inches away from breaking the deadlock when his volleyed shot from a corner rattled the crossbar just before the interval.

The half-time break seemed to have little effect on the tempo of the game, with Price again proving a nuisance with two early efforts that went wide and were saved respectively.

Kayle Price was a constant threat to the Handsworth defence.Kayle Price was a constant threat to the Handsworth defence. (Image: Gary Lohan.)

Silsden were getting closer to the opener and when Casey Stewart’s strike was spilled by the keeper on 56 minutes, there were huge appeals that the ball had dropped over the line.

Despite protestations from both players and supporters, the ball was adjudged to have stayed out and the scores remained level.

That was until the 70th minute when Billy was adjudged to have been brought down inside the box by the home keeper in what looked a very harsh call.

Hudson made no mistake from the spot, stroking the ball low into the corner with Roxburgh diving in the opposite direction.

Billy was once again involved in another Sils opportunity just a few minutes later.

He produced a driving run and passed to Brooksbank, whose low strike was tipped behind.

With the game nearing its end, Handsworth had one final chance to equalise, as the ball dropped to Scott Ruthven on the edge of the six-yard box.

But the striker looped his effort high over the crossbar, meaning Silsden could finally celebrate an impressive victory.

The Cobbydalers have a break from league action tomorrow, as they host Goole in the NCEL League Cup second round.