Martin Foulger has come out of semi-retirement to solve the Cobbydalers’ goalkeeping crisis.

Foulger was one of the squad that formed the basis of the club’s rise through the amateur ranks to the non-league pyramid system.

He has since taken over the management of Sils-den’s Sunday team but rolled back the years to help out the club’s flagship side against Ashton Athletic, keeping a clean sheet.

“Martin remained registered for us and has come back in to help us out,” explained Silsden manager Chris Reape.

“We had no other options after the cup tie against Park Avenue because our two first-team squad keeper both got injured in that game.

“Phil Rishton had to go off after colliding with Martin Bland. Danny Thorpe came on from the bench but he later kicked the ground while clearing a ball.

“He has torn knee ligaments and could be out for the rest of the season, while Phil will be missing for between four and six weeks.

“It is just as well we have someone of the stature of Martin to come in for us. He is still a great keeper but he struggles to play two games a week these days because of his back problems.”

Reape enjoyed the thriller against Avenue, if not the 6-5 defeat after extra-time.

“Some have said it was Avenue’s second team but I recognise a lot of the names on that team sheet and it wasn’t,” added Reape.

“They did put a couple more of their regulars on as substitutes late on and I think that made a big difference but we were within minutes of an upset.

“Avenue’s players, especially the more experienced ones, were different class and they probably deserved to go through. But we competed with them and that is a credit to our squad.”