Silsden AFC 2 v 1 Rossington Main

Rossington defeated on the road at The Office Interiors Stadium despite a towering second half header from captain Greg Young to get Ben Hunter’s side back in the game.

Silsden scored the opening goal on the 42 minute as Ellis Hudson fired the awarded penalty into the bottom right corner to give the hosts the lead at the break.

Five minutes after the restart Rossington’s skipper Young continued to set the example in front of goal from a set piece as he delivered another header for his season’s tally which levelled proceedings.

Six minutes later, the Sils restored their lead after Casey Stewart’s deflected free-kick found it’s way into far bottom corner of which, proved to be the deciding moment.

The game which was delayed a quarter of an hour eventually kicked off at The Office Interiors Stadium with Jim Pollard denying the Sils at the bottom corner following a corner kick which was won early by the hosts after a strong shot by Luke Brooksbank which was deflected by the Rosso backline.

Ten minutes into the game, Manasse Kianga almost successfully took the ball round Jacob Rabone in goal for the hosts after a well worked piece of play by Rossington on the counter attack. After Mitch Langton, Jack Harrison and Harry Sheppeard all linked up before a fake pass from Brad Grayson, Rosso’s number nine won a corner for his troubles of which the Sils defended well.

The fast paced game became very end-to-end minutes later as after Cody Prior’s free kick was parried by Rabone, Pollard came to Rosso’s rescue once again with another important save from Silsden on the counter attack. The play went straight back towards the hosts’ box as this Kianga moved the ball beyond Rabone but unfortunately also just ran out of play and for a goal kick to The Cobbydalers.

Rosso came close again on the 32 minute as Grayson did well to keep the ball in and tee up Kianga who took a touch, put the ball out of his feet and hit the target only for the Sils to steer the ball out of danger from inside the six-yard box.

The Sils had to sub off their captain seven minutes before the end of the first half as Ross Daly had picked up an injury and was swiftly replaced.

Three minutes before the break, Silsden broke the deadlock after Young’s tackle was penalised by the referee and a penalty was awarded as a result. Despite making some great saves in the first-half, Pollard was unable to guess the correct way as Hudson dispatched the ball into the opposite corner form the spot.

Five minutes after the break captain Young returned the scoreline to all-square with a superb towering header into the heart of the Silsden goal after a high-hoisted corner kick into the middle of the hosts’ penalty box.

An unfortunate moment followed for Rossington on the 56 minute as Stewart’s free-kick courtesy of a deflection finished in the far bottom corner to restore the hosts lead.

Multiple shots from the edge of the area followed towards the end of the second half and after making three substitutions, the game ended 2-1 to Silsden in front of 101 spectators on a cold early March evening in Bradford.

ROSSO XI: Pollard (GK), Sheppeard, Allen, Langton, Hough (81’ Parkin), Young (C), Harrison (76’ Sherburn), Grayson, Kianga, Hardy, Prior (86’ Thomas)

Unused Substitutes: Slater, Green.