SILSDEN entertained Thackley for their first home league game of the new Northern Counties East League season, but crumbled to a disappointing 3-0 defeat to slump to the foot of the table.

The visitors were soon on the attack but Sammy Lee managed to save Paul Whiteley’s low shot and the visitors almost opened the scoring again on 12 minutes when Ben Grech-Brooksbank got the better of Lee but Jake McEneaney cleared off the goal line.

Silsden then had a couple of half-chances, but then from a Thackley counter attack, Lee dropped the initial shot and Chris Lever slotted it home to give the visitors the lead.

Khurram Shazad’s saw a free kick being saved by the keeper. before sending a curling shot wide of the far post as Silsden looked to level.

But Thackley remained dominant, with Lever rattling the Silsden crossbar, before Grech-Brooksbank broke to the byline and crossed for Lewis Waddington to tap it home for 2-0.

Five minutes into the second half, the game was virtually over. Owen Murphy broke between the limping Shaun Airey and McEneaney on the half-way line and outpaced the defenders to make it three to the visitors.

Ten minutes into the half, Harry Thompson threaded a ball through the Thackley defence, only for Lewis Gardner to fire the ball over the bar and that saw the start of Silsden's attempt to fight back.

Mo Qasim broke down the wing and crossed, but Craig Billington’s downward header bounced over the bar.

Matty Moses then curled over a glorious cross which Qasim headed over, with Silsden's profligacy proving costly, as they ended up with no goals and no points.

Tomorrow, the Cobbydalers travel to Bottesford Town before entertaining Barton Town at home on Tuesday, August 17.

BY JIM ROSSER