Silsden turned in another solid performance against an Otley side that barring a miracle will end the season as Champions.

Buzzing from an excellent result last time out , Silsden started the game at 100 miles per hour as they looked for back to back wins for the first time this season.

Otley looked shell shocked as they were on the back foot from the first whistle as Silsden pressed from the get go and their electric start was rewarded after 3 minutes when Aqib Ali fed Charlie who layed the ball of to Jake Williams just outside the box and Jake unleashed a first time shot that the keeper could only get fingertips to before it hit the back of the net.

Silsden dominated the opening ten minutes and their next big chance came on 6 minutes when Aqib was played through but when it looked like he would test the keeper he unselfishly tried to find a team mate allowing Otley to clear.

Two minutes later Silsden worked the Otley keeper again as centre-back Tom Elliot won the ball in his own half before feeding the ball to man of the match Sam Boucher. Sam turned and fed a great ball through to Charlie, who got his shot away but the home keeper did well to come out and block the attempt.

The Knights would ultimately regret those misses as the game changed dramatically on the ten minute mark when a mix up between tom and George led to the ball dropping to the Otley forward to smash home an eqauliser..1-1.

That mistake was amplified 2 mins later when The Knights let Otley straight through for their second chance and second goal and in the blink of an eye Silsden were reeling and 2-1 down.

Sam and Jos started to get a foot hold in the midfield again strongly supported by the rest of the team as they began to press Otley again.

On 18 mins George took one for the team as he brought down their forward to prevent a break. The Knights were disappointed to concede a third goal from the resulting free-kick from 30 yards out that beat keeper Will Sullivan and after a promising start Silsden were 3-1 down to a clinical home side.

After a frantic first 20 minutes the game settled down as the teams battled to control the midfield. Sam and Jos winning the physical battle with Aqib and Phil adding some class touches.

At one point Aqib had the Otley full back on toast when the Otley coach shouted 'put him in the corner' only for Aqib to dance round him and get a cross away leading to one of the shouts of the season from the Knights coaches 'Nobody puts Aqib in the corner' was a warmly received retort!!

Chances were at a premium for the reminder of the half with Charlie and Sam having long distance shots and Will making a great point blank save from Otley's striker.

Half - Time and 3-1 Otley.

Both teams started the second half a little cagier than the first knowing the next gaol could prove crucial. Both Fin and Jack had solid games at full back and Jack showed his strength and martialled the defence well as he repelled anything down his right flank.

On 48 minutes Jake beat his man down the right and played it to Sam who got a shot away from the edge of he box but it drifted wide. This was followed up a few minutes later with another great save from Will as both side looked for another goal.

With 25 minutes left Silsden pushed more men forward and Oliver showed his strength and skill as he started to bring the ball out form the back to push his team forward.

Chances were at a premium and Otley limited Silsden to long range efforts from harry and Sam until Jake broke the offside trap but didn't recognise how much time he had as he hit the ball early but wide.

With 5 minutes left, Jake pressed Otley's centre back and both went to ground in a 50/50 challenge that the ref waved play on...The Otley player staying down as Jake jumped up and along with team mates closed Otley down and won the ball back. Jake squared the ball to Tom who was about to shoot into an unprotected net as the referee inexplicably blew up for offside...Whilst the ref apologised stating he didn't see the player down because he 'wasn't looking that way' it did little to appease the Silsden faithful as he denied The Knights a great chance to get one back and make for a really interesting last 5 minutes.

Neither side were able to create another chance of note as the the second half ended goalless. Silsden had their chances and whilst 3-1 flattered the home side they did arguably do just enough to deserve the 3 points and we wish them well as they push for a league and cup double to end the season.

The Knights will hope to sign off with a positive result away to Calverley in their last game of the season next Sunday.

but would ultimatly regret not taking their chances as