Silsden 5

Flixton 1

Cougar Park revelled in a home win and a Dale Hoyle hat-trick as Silsden hit five at home to Mancunians Flixton in North West Counties Division Two.

The contest was effectively ended before the half-hour mark as the home side raced to a 3-0 lead inside 27 minutes.

Silsden boss Andy Geary was delighted that his side had the clinical edge.

"In the first half, apart from the chances we created, Flixton had a lot of possession. At long last we made the most of the chances," said Geary. "We were still 3-1 up at half-time but after the break we came out even better and thoroughly deserved the three points.

"This was the start of three very important league games on the trot and the return from the first is excellent."

An early breakthrough set Silsden on the road to their handsome win.

A cross from the left flank was met by a thumping header from Hoyle after just eight minutes.

The striker banged in the second five minutes later before a sweeping move brought the third. Some flowing passing carved the visitors open and defender Michael Rhodes found himself one-on-one with the visitors' keeper but kept his cool.

Flixton snatched a goal back through Stewart Bates just before the interval but it was not to prove a lifeline. Silsden controlled the second period and eased into the comfort zone with two more strikes.

Peter Hanson netted the fourth soon after the hour mark and Hoyle claimed his treble with a header from an Andy Holden corner in the 77th minute.