Silsden progressed into the FA Vase third round following an impressive 2-0 win over North West Counties Football League Premier Division table toppers Ramsbottom United at the Regal Interiors Stadium on Saturday.
Two first half goals from Casey Stewart were enough for the Cobbydalers to make it through, despite the best efforts of a resilient Rams outfit.
Things were not made any easier for the visitors following the sending off of their captain Andrew Teague on 72 minutes, leaving Sils to simply play out the clock and hold on to their lead.
The game started off in even fashion, with both sides having early chances.
Silsden keeper Callum Bradbury was forced to hold onto a volleyed effort after just four minutes while at the other end Luke Brooksbank’s close range strike was well saved by the keeper.
A quick counter-attack gave the hosts the lead, Brooksbank picking out Stewart with a lovely through pass and the winger making no mistake with the finish, as he slotted the ball beyond the onrushing keeper.
Ramsbottom should have perhaps levelled on 31 minutes when a great cross found a free man in the centre, but the header was well over the top of Bradbury’s bar.
That miss was punished in emphatic fashion just a few moments later.
Stewart delivered a low freekick that deceived the Rams defence, deflecting beyond the helpless keeper, much to the delight of the Silsden faithful behind the goal.
The goal was credited to the Silsden man, whose brace put his side in control at the half-time whistle.
After the break, the travelling Ramsbottom contingent were trying to drive their team back into the game, only to be drowned out by the superb support of the young Silsden fans willing the side on.
Stewart had the chance to complete his hat-trick on 67 minutes when Brooksbank again found him in behind, but the keeper made himself big to deny him.
The visitors then found themselves down to 10 men after Teague was adjudged to have stamped on a Silsden man, though the call looked somewhat harsh.
That dismissal left the Cobbydalers to simply control the remainder of the game and see out the result, which they did superbly.
Another clean sheet for Bradbury and his backline meant an incredible 10th win on the bounce for Silsden
They will be hoping to make it 11 in a row when Pickering visit the Regal Interiors Stadium tomorrow in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.
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