AFC Liverpool 3, Silsden 1

Silsden’s mini-revival in the North West Counties League top tier came to a sudden end at high-flying AFC Liverpool.

The Merseysiders, who play their home games at Prescot as they search for a ground in their home city, broke the deadlock in the tenth minute.

The Cobbydalers had lost the ball just inside the Liverpool half and a quick break ended with Shaun Harris firing in.

The home side doubled their lead midway through the first half and again it was partly down to Silsden’s frailties on the day.

A shot from Joel Kerwin came back off the bar and Ryan Cox was able to stab the rebound in before the defence reacted.

The Cobbydalers got a lifeline when they pegged a goal back before half-time. They forced a corner and debutant Lee McGowan rose above the Liverpool defence to plant a header into the bottom corner.

There were chances at both ends in the second half but the key strike went Liverpool’s way.

They regained their two-goal cushion just after the hour mark when the Cobbydalers’ defence were again slow to react.

This time it was a shot from Harris that came back off the bar for substitute Steven Jones to slot in.

Silsden spokesman Jim Rosser said: “We had won the three games before this and even though Liverpool were sixth, they had lost four of their last six games. But all runs have to come to an end and both did in this game.

“Our lads tried and it was close but we were just a little bit below par and missed Josh McNulty and James Gill in midfield.”