Silsden win absorbing midweek cup tie against Goole AFC

The pair were facing off in Northern Counties East League League Cup second round and Luke Brooksbank got hosts Silsden off to a great start by putting them in front on eight minutes.

Callum Bradbury kept the visitors out by producing a good save with his feet early on, but otherwise Silsden produced most of the attacking threat in the opening half hour.

But then Bradbury and Corey Billy almost bungled a backpass between them, and with Silsden wobbling, Goole grabbed their equaliser moments later.

After cutting inside, they had a shot which took a wicked deflection off Cobbydalers man Ellis Hudson and flew into the net for an own goal.

It was a far cry from the joy of three days earlier, when Hudson netted the only goal in Silsden’s impressive NCEL Premier Division win at Handsworth.

But the home side bounced back nicely, and after Brooksbank came close on a couple of occasions, Cody Cromack opened his Silsden account just before half-time.

Luke Brooksbank helped ensure Silsden had a lead at the break, though he came close to adding to his tally. (Image: Gary Lohan.)

His long-range effort took a nick to wrongfoot the keeper, and that goal put his side 2-1 in front.

Nash Connolly was proving a real attacking threat for Silsden, but it was fellow forward Tom Greaves who grabbed their third goal.

The veteran striker composed himself on the edge of the box with the ball, before finding the corner of the net with a fierce strike.

Brooksbank and Connolly both had chances to extend Silsden’s lead further, but instead Goole scored their second goal on 76 minutes.

Buoyed by that, Goole put some late pressure on in an attempt to take the game to penalties, but Silsden defended stoutly and smartly to close the game out, and ensure they booked their spot in the next round.