SILSDEN saw the best side of the non-League game when they received warm plaudits from two clubs, one of which had won at the Angel Telecom Stadium and one that had lost there.

The Cobbydalers lost 4-2 to Sunderland RCA in the FA Vase last Saturday but three days later they knocked National League neighbours Guiseley out of the West Riding County FA Cup.

The Wearside club enjoyed their visit to Silsden so much they went out of their way to write to the club thanking them.

Guiseley were magnanimous in their defeat and passed on their best wishes in the County Cup and for the rest of the season.

Cobbydalers secretary Jim Rosser said: "We had a lovely letter from Sunderland and that was nice because they had praised our club on the night but they put the extra thought and effort in to make sure we got the message.

"They were really a good team and you could tell that they are a well-run club and what a smashing set of people. The team, the committee and the supporters were all a pleasure to welcome.

"They stayed and had a few drinks and some food and in the letter they said that on the way back someone had said that in a way it was a shame they'd beaten us.

"For them to go out of their way to thank us again like they did is fantastic."

Tuesday's visitors are more familiar but nonetheless were just as pleasant and Silsden feel that relations between the clubs were strengthened even more.

Rosser said: "It was a very good night when Guiseley came as well. We know them a bit better but they told us they enjoyed their time with us, even though they lost, and they wished us all the best in the next round.

"These types of days are what non-League is all about and they make all the effort and free time given up, by all of our people, worth it."