9:44pm Sunday 11th February 2007
By Ian Whiting
Trafford 1, Silsden 3
Silsden gave themselves the best possible confidence boost ahead of next Saturday's League Cup meeting with FC United of Manchester by taking three points from another club from the same city.
The Cobbydalers banked a maximum in the North West Counties Division One from their visit to Trafford.
It was not just the material gain that will have buoyed Silsden ahead of the trip of the league's most prestigious club.
It was also the manner of their victory, which illustrated a side currently on form.
"We played well, although we didn't think it was going to be our day early on", said Silsden boss Paul Schofield.
The manager had seen his side have a second-minute strike chalked off and a strong penalty claim soon after turned away.
It was Martin Bland who had the ball in the net early on after heading in at the far post following a deep free-kick, only for the referee to disallow it.
The official did nothing to endear himself to the visitors when he waved play on after Lee Reilly appeared to be clipped inside the area.
Any sulking was soon banished though as Silsden took a 14th-minute lead.
A corner swung in from the right by Martin Packer was allowed to bounce in the area and James Nettleton headed home.
Trafford enjoyed a good finish to the first half and Glyn Barker started to threaten. He flicked a side-footed shot over and later dummied three defenders in one swift move to get a sight of goal.
The home side eventually found an equaliser just after the hour.
Rishton had done well to make a save but could only parry the ball and Barker was lurking to snap up the rebound.
Parity lasted just two minutes when centre back Nettleton bagged his second goal of the game.
Andy Holden crossed from the left and Nettleton came out with the ball following a challenge with the keeper and rolled the ball into the net.
A classic counter-attack brought Silsden's third in the 73rd minute.
Holden had been involved in the move and he followed up to squeeze a shot into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/trade_directory/