5:09pm Sunday 31st August 2008
By Ian Whiting
FC Halifax Town 0, Silsden 0
The Cobbydalers took FC Halifax Town back to Cougar Park following a goalless draw at The Shay.
Silsden had never won a tie at their rugby-orientated home until they beat neighbours Eccleshill United there in the extra preliminary round.
That earned them the right to take on the new FC Halifax Town in the preliminary round and, after 90 minutes could not separate them, they will do battle again on Wednesday. Halifax entertain Wakefield in the UniBond Cup the day before.
Some desperate defending was needed but then Silsden also had moments of their own in the initial meeting.
Craig Smith put in an angled shot that was just tipped over and there was a later penalty claim for a handball.
Halifax almost scored in the 35th minute when four clear shots rained in on Martin Foulger’s goal.
He parried two, Martin Bland blocked one and James Nettleton hooked the other one clear.
The home side had Silsden on the rack in a sustained spell in the last few minutes but they survived to earn their replay.
“We played well and it was a tight game at times,” said Cobbydalers boss Paul Schofield.
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