SILSDEN struggled after a superb start in their Northern Counties East League Premier Division clash at home to Pickering Town on Tuesday night, but eventually stumbled over the line for an important 3-2 win.
The victory keeps them two points clear of Golcar United at the summit, with the Cobbydalers facing a tough Bradford derby at Campion in their next league game on Saturday.
Silsden were hunting an 11th successive win in all competitions in midweek and were outstanding in the opening 15 minutes.
Kayle Price came close with a header from Cody Cromack’s cross, before a foul by Pickering’s keeper gifted the hosts a penalty.
Ellis Hudson stepped up to put that into the net, with Silsden soon doubling their lead.
Harry Coates’ downward header was spilled by the hapless Pickering stopper and Price was on hand to poke the rebound into the net.
Price then headed a cross over the bar at the back post, before Luke Brooksbank flashed an effort just wide.
But the latter was then required at the other end to make a crucial block, as Pickering began to get on top.
They halved the deficit on 39 minutes, after a sloppy error from Silsden in midfield, and almost levelled seconds before the break, only for Callum Bradbury to make a good save from a volley.
Pickering’s momentum was not slowed down by the half-time interval and after piling on the pressure, they deservedly scored an equaliser on 55 minutes.
But Silsden retook the lead midway through the second half, as Price latched on to Coates’ knock down to score from close range.
And the Cobbydalers looked determined not to repeat their mistakes from earlier in the game, as they started to overrun their visitors.
Price fired a strike over the crossbar after a lovely ball into him from Jake Maltby, then substitute Tom Greaves cracked a shot inches wide after some good hold-up play.
Pickering were not done just yet though, Bradbury forced to tip a curling effort behind for a corner with 15 minutes to go.
Casey Stewart, Silsden’s two-goal FA Vase hero on Saturday, came close to finishing off the visitors late on, only to whip his strike just wide.
A superb double save from the Pickering stopper denied Luke Brooksbank on the counter attack and kept his side in the game.
But an injury-time sin-bin for the visitors killed off any chance they had of taking a point from West Yorkshire.
The final whistle went soon after, as Silsden were able to toast yet another win in what is turning out to be a brilliant season for them so far.
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