A large crowd was attracted to Cougar Park for the County Cup tie of the round when cup holders and league leaders, Silsden, entertained Tyersal, second in the league and the only visiting team to win at Cougar Park this season.

The Christmas break had not eased Silsden's injury-list but Manager Andy Geary has assembled a versatile squad of players backed up by a young and talented reserve team. Lee Reilly was drafted in to partner Dale Hoyle up front, Jimmy Spencer dropped back into midfield and Jimmy Hedges into the back four. Silsden had learned from their league defeat at the hands of Tyersal and playmaker Jason Ryan was man marked by Peter Hanson, to great effect. Silsden's run in the FA Vase had made them even more resilient and they were determined to maintain their grip on the County Cup.

The opening 15 minutes were scrappy and tense, littered with free kicks. Silsden were the first to show but efforts by Spencer and Martin Bland were easily held by Lee Griffiths. Whilst the league's leading scorer, Andy Carlton, was being well marshalled by Jimmy Hedges, his strike partner Aaron Heywood was the main threat. Fortunately for Silsden he couldn't capitalise on his opportunities. In the first half he was denied twice by Martin Foulger, once shooting weakly then by a great save. Heywood then broke through but was checked by superb tackle from Hedges but the defining moment of the half came when he fired wide from 6 yards. Silsden had created only half chances, one after Spencer jinked past three opponents on the right but Bland fired over. Reilly also broke into the box only to be "muscelled" off the ball. Tyersal had missed their chances and on 38 minutes Bland headed down for Reilly to rifle home the opener. Silsden might have gone in 4-nil up at half time, Reilly dribbled into the box and fed Bland but he blasted his effort wide, Bland then headed home from a corner but the goal was disallowed then Reilly was brought down by the keeper. "Penalty" roared the crowd, the referee waved play on.

Silsden lost the momentum after the break and Tyersal gained the initiative but once again Heywood missed chances or was denied by a resolute defence. Having weathered the storm Silsden were driven forward by Gavin Finn and both full backs, Adam Reed and Michael Rhodes pushed forwards to great effect. A long ball from Foulger was headed on by Hoyle and seized on by Reilly but his effort slid the wrong side of the post. Silsden then had a spell of giving the ball away too cheaply and the game might have gone either way. Then a moment of madness from the Tyersal keeper gifted Silsden the game. Marshall easily gathered a though ball at the feet of Hoyle but then kicked out at the Silsden striker. Rhodes dispatched the penalty and Silsden ended the game in complete control. In the dying minutes Bland, who was tormenting the Tyersal defence, cut in from the left, crossed the ball, Hanson fed Spencer on the right, Spencer rounded his man and crossed for Hoyle who thundered home a near post header, a personal reward for his intelligent forward play and the icing on the cake for a disciplined team performance. Can Silsden make it a hat-trick of County Cup wins.

In the quarter-final Steeton must travel to Meltham Athletic on February 7. Tomorrow (Saturday) fourth placed, Golcar United are the visitors to Cougar Park. Kick-off 2.00pm. The reserves visit Lower Hopton.

Keighley Shamrocks Reserves and Cross Hills Reserves kept local hopes alive in the County Challenge Trophy, but now meet in the quarter-final of the competition on February 7.

Kyle Toomey scored the only goal of Shamrock's clash with Lower Hopton Reserves to put them through into the quarter-final.

Cross Hills Reserves beat Kirk Deighton Rangers 2-1.

In the County Amateur League Steeton missed a chance to move up the table when they were beaten 3-1 by Hemsworth Miners Welfare. The visitors were 2-0 up at the break and although the Summerhill lane side battled hard after the break their only goal came from Arron Hollindrake, while Hemsworth added a third to make certain of taking the points and moving Steeto on goal difference.