Match Report: Silsden AFC 0-1 Redcar Athletic

It was no 10-1, but the Steelmen grabbed another three points as we creep towards the title

One of the many postponed games, our away trip to Silsden was finally crossed off the list on Tuesday night.

Our last encounter with the Cobbydalers saw us win with that ever memorable 10-1 scoreline.

Now, though, both sides have gotten better, and it meant that a score like that would not be on the table.

However, it didn’t start great for the hosts, as John Howard scored what may be the league’s quickest goal all season, bagging the opener in just 20 seconds.

Oscar Fletcher did great to take the ball forwards before sweeping a pass out wide, where Louis Johnson was able to put a pass into the box, and the recipient of the Steelmen’s last 2 MOTM awards was on hand to slam the ball into the net.

That goal brought back hopes for us, and fears for Silsden, but our opponents very quickly solidified their formation and began to push for a leveller.

Josh Mazfari was forced into early action, making a few solid stops, whilst at the other end, we kept pushing for something more as well.

Rio May, Oscar Fletcher and Adam Boyes all had notable chances in the opening 30 minutes, though Rio’s shot was the only one on target.

We were frustratingly pushed into making an early sub, with Bryan Taylor being forced off, seeing Dane Burlace take his spot.

We would keep pushing, though the half did quieten down as we neared the interval.

Brad Frewster produced a solid run before his pass to Dane Buralce saw the sub’s shot saved by the Silsden keeper.

Our final chance of the half saw Louis Johnson have a great chance, but his drilled effort was brilliantly saved by Silsden’s #1.

Still winning, though we could have had so many more, the hope was just to see things out in the next 45 minutes.

The second half saw us forced into another swap, with goalscorer John Howard coming off for Mark Anderson.

Most of the second half saw some questionable decisions from the linesman and referee, including the most frustrating one seeing Louis Johnson getting called offside, despite leaving the ball for the onrushing Dane Burlace.

Overall, the second half was a largely frustrating one, with the Steelmen having much more of the ball, though we just struggled to get it into the right areas.

Many corners, many passes, but shots on target seemed to be the one thing we were lacking.

Curtis Round came on for Fewster on the hour mark as we made a third sub of the evening, and that change was followed by both Owen Burns and Kev Burgess coming on for Oscar Fletcher and Nathan Guru, respectively

Louis Johnson was Silsden’s biggest problem too, with the forward having a few solid chances, with his closest of this half being a goal-bound effort that was narrowly deflected wide

Mark Anderson wrapped up the game for us with our final two real chances

His first saw a shot from the edge of the box in the 83rd minute go over, before his, and our last shot of the game, was just about smothered by the keeper in the 91st minute

3 points and a clean sheet meant overall it was not a bad day. It was just one that could’ve provided so much more.

Up next, we are on the road again, as we head down to Hallam on Saturday.

After that is another away trip up north, where we take on Heaton Stanington

Our final match of the month is at the Hollou as well, where we face Newton Aycliffe.

Hopefully, we see you at as many of those as possible.

But if not, then, as always, there will be live updates on our X page!

Take care, and up the Steelmen.