The Knights away match at Thornton could have easily been abandoned due to high winds but with 32 willing kids the coaches decided to have an early Christmas blow out.
Silsden will regret not playing with the wind in the first half as their hopes of registering a first away win of the season disappeared into the wind.
Thornton playing down hill and with the wind on their back were well aware of their home comforts as the game settled early into a pattern of them taking long shots at Knights keeper Will and Silsden struggling to play the ball out.
2 early goals that I would describe as old school 'Toe-pungs' got Thornton into the lead after 7 mins. Silsden did start to adapt to their new 5-5-0 formation and both Jos and Oliver made some good clearances whilst Cole Walker got stuck in early in his new centre back position.
16 minutes in and Silsden occasionally crossed the half way line before been blown backdown field and 'keeper Will was beaten again for a third time with one that squirmed under him after a huge gust of wind.
On 22 mins Will made a quality save as Thornton continued to push as he somehow managed to tip a wind assisted bullet over the bar.
Silsden's coaches decided to let the lads enjoy the game and get everyone playing time so regularly rotated players which in fairness meant The Knights struggled to keep their shape but the task was simple in this wind...Keep the score down and hope to take advantage of conditions in the second half...
Then came the decisive 5 mins as Thornton scored two excellent goals with a quality strike form the edge of the box quickly followed by a mazy dribble and finish...Both gaols commendable in the terrible conditions.
Will made a couple more good saves before half time but he could not prevent a late 6th goal going in as the teams went into half time at 6-0.
Silsden seemed to be punch-drunk from their first half mauling as they struggled to take advantage of the conditions. It had arguably got windier which was making it hard for anyone to control the ball and Silsden seemed to panic rather than play controlled football. Thornton at times playing a flat back ten kept Silsden down to long distance shots as both Phil and Cole saw long distance efforts go wide.
Just as hopes seemed forlorned head Coach Jake Clarke emptied the bench and moved to a 2-4-4 formation with 25 minutes left...Whispers could be heard that he had finally lost his mind...But no Zulq strolled onto the pitch and with his first touch after coming back on scored his second of the season with a cool finish.
6-1 and game on..the next ten minutes saw Silsden dominate as they peppered the Thornton goal.
It appeared that Thornton's clinical first half finishing would be the difference as Oliver, Jake and George all unable to take decent chances to reduce the deficit further.
It was 6-2 on 63 minute as Harry's long range free kick took a deflection into the Thornton net. The passionate midfielder will be happy to know that the dubious goals panel have awarded him the goal!!
3 minutes later, just as an unlikely comeback was gathering pace the unthinkable happened - Thornton managed to get out of their half and despite the back twos best efforts they made it 7-2 and put the game out of sight again.
Most teams would have had the wind taken out of their sails but for the remainder of the game the Knights kept searching for another consolation goal. Phil amazingly registering a shot on target from next to his own box and keeper Will venturing forward to try and score off one of the numerous second half corners they had.
Unfortunately their efforts were summed up on 78 minutes when Sami blazed over from an excellent scoring position and at that point the ref read the room and realised everyone had had enough and blew up a little early to end was was an experience to remember but a result to forget!
At the end of the day football is about enjoying yourself and having fun and the boys did that today. Whilst the results haven't necessarily gone the lads way this year i'll leave you all with this stat to ponder....
Silsden Knight's have won as many matches in their last 11 games as reigning Premier league Champions Manchester City...
Happy Christmas and All the best for when we return in 2026!