SILSDEN have reached the FA Cup first qualifying round for the first time in 20 years after a superb 2-0 home win over Atherton Collieries on Saturday.

Atherton play in the division above the Cobbydalers, having been two higher until they were relegated at the end of last season.

The visitors were therefore favourites to win at the Regal Interiors Stadium at the weekend, but Matt Cavanagh and Luke Lavery’s men stood up and were counted.

They won the game thanks to burst of two goals in four minutes early in the second half, which came courtesy of Kayle Price and Casey Stewart.

Silsden started the game on the front foot, with Ellis Hudson’s tame effort saved and Stewart curling a strike wide of the post after making himself some space inside the box.

Stewart was thwarted on the half-hour mark, seeing his shot stopped after some fine interplay with Hudson.

But Atherton thought they had taken the lead on 33 minutes from a corner, only for the referee to blow up for an infringement in the box by the attacking side.

Centre-half Harry Coates glanced a header wide from Stewart’s free kick, while the away side came close moments before the break after they won possession in midfield.

Fortunately for Silsden, Atherton fired the subsequent chance over the crossbar.

And the Cobbydalers went ahead on 51 minutes following a lightning break, which culminated in Luke Brooksbank cutting the ball back to Price, who fired home.

Luke Brooksbank was an attacking threat throughout for Silsden against Atherton Collieries.Luke Brooksbank was an attacking threat throughout for Silsden against Atherton Collieries. (Image: Gary Lohan.)

Shellshocked Atherton soon found themselves 2-0 down, as a brilliant pass from Price put Stewart in one-on-one.

His initial shot was saved, but he poked the ball home from the rebound.

Rampant Silsden then had Brooksbank and Stewart go close with to adding a third goal, before Atherton started to claw their way back into proceedings.

An effort on 66 minutes was easily saved by Callum Bradbury, then their striker volleyed over the bar from inside the box.

Another volley was put wide moments later by the visitors, and Silsden were forced to dig in, with tireless duo Mo Conteh and Hudson both picking up yellow cards.

Atherton came back with one final late burst, Bradbury forced into a brilliant diving save and Sam Kilner putting in a stunning last-ditch tackle to prevent a one-on-one chance.

Having ridden out the storm, Silsden almost added a third late on, only for Tom Greaves to be denied by an outstretched leg from the opposition keeper.

That was the last chance of the game, with the Cobbydalers having now been rewarded with a tie at West Didsbury & Chorlton on Saturday, August 31 in the first qualifying round.