Silsden made it nine wins on the bounce with an impressive 4-1 triumph over South Yorkshire outfit Parkgate at the Roundwood Pavilion on Saturday in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

In a dominant first half, Sils opened the scoring through a Jack Stockdill header but despite further chances were unable to add to the scoreline.

Shay Evans-Booth punished the visitors with a 51st minute leveller but despite going down to 10 men after Harry Coates was sinbinned, the Cobbydalers retook the lead courtesy of Kayle Price.

Two quickfire goals from Casey Stewart and Luke Brooksbank gave a comfortable look to the scoreline and also a comfortable look to the table.

Silsden now sit five points clear at the summit after second-placed Golcar United only drew at the weekend.

The Cobbydalers controlled their own game on Saturday well in the early exchanges, with Brooksbank forcing Parkgate keeper Lewis Fox into a fine save.

From the resulting corner, Stockdill rose highest to nod home after a great delivery in from Stewart.

Further saves from Fox were to follow, denying both Ellis Hudson and Price in what was an impressive half from the young stopper.

Chances continued to fall Silsden’s way in the opening 45 minutes, but each time Fox seemed equal to whatever the attackers threw his way.

As is so often the case when you don’t take your chances in football, the other team will punish you and that’s exactly what the home side did early into the second half.

A lofted freekick fell kindly to Evans-Booth, who smashed the ball low and hard underneath Silsden keeper Callum Bradbury.

It looked as if the game might be getting away from the Cobbydalers when Coates was given 10 minutes on the sidelines for arguing a questionable freekick against his side.

The absence of imposing defender Harry Coates for 10 minutes threatened to derail Silsden on Saturday.The absence of imposing defender Harry Coates for 10 minutes threatened to derail Silsden on Saturday. (Image: Gary Lohan.)

But even down a man, Silsden proved why they are such a tough team to beat this season.

Price found himself inside the area on his left foot and his low strike took a wicked deflection to finally bypass the solid Fox in Parkgate’s goal.

Just 10 minutes later, with Coates back on the field, Silsden netted their third goal.

A training ground freekick saw the ball come to Stewart on the edge of the box and some nice trickery allowed him half-a-yard of space to strike the ball sweetly into the bottom corner.

The fourth goal was pure brilliance from the visitors as a sweeping move allowed Stewart space on the left wing.

His pinpoint cross was wonderfully met by Brooksbank, who leapt above Fox to power home his third goal in as many games.

There is a break from league action this weekend for Silsden, as they host high-flying North West Counties Football League Premier Division side Ramsbottom United at the Regal Interiors Stadium in the FA Vase second round.