Skelmersdale United 4, Silsden 1 - For the majority of the first half the Cobbydalers made a mockery of league standings with a brand of slick movement and sharp passing on a surface fit for a snooker final the mesmerised the league's top side.

They created numerous chances but were denied by Crookes in the Skelmersdale goal. On the stroke of half time Bland needlessly conceded a free-kick albeit 40-yards out. The ball was pushed to Skelmersdale's leading scorer Rudd who shot low and hard. The ball squirmed under the diving Rishton and the game changed in an instant.

The second half saw United in the ascendancy as they poured through the Silsden midfield at will. A Silsden defender compared it to 'The siege of the Alamo'. By the end of the game Skelmersdale had regained top spot in the league.

Silsden, with a chill wind at their backs, attacked from the off, a header from Holmes struck Longley on the goal line following a corner by Holden. Corner followed corner; Rosser headed down to Crookes' left but he pulled off a fine save, Holmes had a shot charged down by Crookes and Hurd's shot was blocked, Longley shot wide with more time than he had expected following a superb cross-field ball from Holden.

The Silsden defence was dealing comfortably with the League's top scorers. Bland and Rosser marked Obong and Rudd tightly and Rhodes and Hanson were untroubled down the flanks.

United's first shot came on twenty minutes but it was straight at Rishton. Silsden's best chance followed wehn the home defence had been pulled to their right and were defending near the halfway line. Hurd and Packer exchanged passes and the latter, spotting acres of space on the right, threaded the ball across for Gill who bore down on goal but his touch on the edge of the box was just too heavy. Crookes sprinted off his line and dived at Gill's feet.

From a breakaway Obong had a shot saved and Rimmer headed wide from the resulting corner. A cross from the right saw Rishton just pip Rudd to the ball.

Back came Silsden who saw a corner punched out to Holden but his shot was sliced wide. A break down the left saw Packer send over one a trademark cross finding Holden at the far post but the winger's header was saved.

Gradually Obong became a threat with his tricky dribbling, he was fouled and Rudd made Silsden pay.

The Cobbydalers lost their composure and were lucky not to concede another. Cole shot wide following another tricky run by Osman but Rishton again beat Rudd to a cross from the right.

The second half started with Gill crossing to Longley but his header was off target and the continud to apply pressure. Holden forced the keeper to punch out before being replaced by Appelbee.

Andy Geary was hoping to put more pressure on the defence but Appelbee, returning from injury and looking short of match practice, was not at his best.

Rishton punched out two in-swinging corners and saved well from Osman as the home side started to pile more pressure on the Silsden defence. Whiteoak and Dowgill replaced Hurd and Longley but they were unable to stem the tide.

Appelbee didn't offer protection to Rhodes who was finding Osman quite a challenge. Bland, Rosser and Rishton seemed all that stood in the path of Skelmersdale as the midfield was totally over-run.

Bland blocked a shot from Rudd but Rishton was finally beaten by Osman following a dribble into the box by Rudd.

Eventually the defence was breached again, Gill gave the ball away, Hanson was caught too high up the field and Cole cut in from the right to shoot across goal. Rishton got down well but could only parry the ball to Rudd who had a simple tap in.

Osman made it four after running through a static defence.

Silsden finished with a flourish with Whiteoak shooting wide and Bland seeing a powerful header tipped over the bar before Gill headed home a cross from Rhodes.

The scoreline was harsh on the Cobbydalers who were given a lesson in finishing.

On Saturday Silsden entertain Abbey Hey at Cougar Park followed by the visit of Skelmersdale on Wednesday, March 8th.