Prestwich Heys 2 Silsden 0

THE COBBYDALERS suffered defeat on their first visit to new boys Prestwich Heys.

Silsden were hoping to bounce back from a narrow loss against Charnock Richard but they were beaten by two first-half goals from former Bradford City loan player Paul Tierney.

The playing surface was excellent but the weather wasn’t, with a blustery wind and very heavy showers.

The home side played with the advantage of the wind in the first half but Silsden started brightly, with Nicky McNally and Danny Forrest going close.

The Cobbydalers' desire to attack almost cost them in the 15th minute when a corner was cleared with Silsden only having two defenders back. Fortunately Chris Wademan spotted the danger and cleared for a throw-in.

Heys took the lead on 28 minutes. The visitors' back four were caught square, hoping to catch their opponents offside but Tierney broke through to chip the ball over Callum Jakovlevs, who had advanced off his goal line.

The home side took control as Silsden threw men forwards. Too often there were five or six players ahead of the ball, allowing the home side to counter-attack swiftly.

Tierney should have made it two but, a minute before half-time, he claimed his double when he spotted Jakovlevs off his line and lobbed him.

Tierney has recently returned to football after being disillusioned with the game. He was on Manchester United’s books as a junior and made one appearance for them in the Carling Cup, having loan spells at the Bantams and Crewe before moving on to Livingston and Blackpool.

Silsden pushed forwards in the second half but the home side packed their defence and denied them space. Kyle Hancock came the closest to pulling a goal back but his shot was blocked.

Prestwich were happy to play on the break, Jamie Baguley volleying just wide after 55 minutes.

McNally was put through by Hancock but shot over.

After fumbling the ball at the other end, Jacovlevs recovered to deny Erike Sousa, before preventing Tierney a hat-trick at the second attempt.

Silsden thought they had been awarded a penalty when the linesman raised his flag vehemently but, after speaking to his assistant for two minutes, the referee awarded a corner.

Two minutes later they hit the post in a goalmouth scramble but it was too little too late.

Silsden boss James Gill was furious at the decision not to award a spot-kick but he did concede his side were below par. “That might have made the difference but we didn’t perform as well as in midweek," he said.

"Prestwich defended well in numbers but we were too open with players not seeing that they all have to become defensively-minded when we lose possession.”

On Wednesday the Cobbydalers travel to Bacup Borough before hosting Holker Old Boys on Saturday and Daisy Hill next Tuesday.

SILSDEN: Jakovlevs, Eastwood, McNulty, Kaine, K Gill, Richardson, Forrest, Hancock, McNally (Marshall 56), Wademan, Storrie (Smith 56).