From the off Salts totally outplayed us, their passing, their movement and possession were a clear level above us, we just couldn’t seem to get started. Decisions were rushed and there was an apparent lack of communication. Despite this, our back 3 made up of Charlie Whitehead, Lewis Brown and Harry Whitaker, supported with Sam Brockbank in goals were solid and couldn’t be broken down so we managed to avoid conceding in the opening 15 minutes and then…….Harvey Leach picked up the ball and decide to take them on, being pushed to the right of the field he weaved his way through until a mistimed tackle resulted in a free kick 25yrds out. Up stepped Lewis Gartland. A confident and powerfully struck shot found the back of the net even despite a deflection, nothing was stopping that bullet and we were finally off! Shortly after, in quick succession Spencer Bennett found the net in the 25th and 27th minute. 3-0.
Half time.
In a repeat of the 1st half the Dragons were slow to get going, Salts took advantage and following a spell of good pressure Silsden did concede in to a forced own goal.
From this point onwards though, determination and finally some good constructive moves, combined with better closing down by all, but particularly the centre midfielders Joe Armitage, Daniel Barnes, Josh Elliot and Harvey Leach, ended up with the majority of play in the Salts half, which inevitably led to more Silsden goals. Great strikes from Charlie Barnes, an additional from Lewis Gartland, 2 more from Spencer Bennett and lastly Jaylan Camsey from distance rounded off a comprehensive 8-1 win.
Not a fantastic performance, but hey if that’s what we can do when we’re not on top form who knows what we can achieve………watch this space!