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Glossop NE 1-1 Silsden

20/ 2/2008

NORTH End were left frustrated on Saturday as their attempt to leapfrog the visitors into sixth place in the Vodkat league table was thwarted by a controversial decision to award a penalty in the second half.

In truth, on the day the game featured two very evenly matched sides, with Glossop just about deserving to sneak it on chances created in the first half.

While the game was short on chances in the second half, it was always enthralling thanks to the tireless endeavours of both sets of players.

One key decision made was the sending-off of Jamie Kay with ten minutes to go.

The referee saw his attempt to win the ball as a stamp and showed him a straight red card.

As for the rest of the game, Rick Bailey’s shot across the face of goal on 25 minutes that just curled past the wrong side of the post signalled a spell of North End pressure that would eventually yield a half-time lead.

But that was not before Darren Hamilton and Bailey had both gone close when Hamilton was foiled by the visiting ‘keeper who was quickly off his line.

The ball looped up and Bailey tried to hook it in over his shoulder, only to see it drop wide.

But on 44 minutes the goal did come when Kelvin Lugsden sent a wonderful cross-field ball from right to left to James Acton, who was making his full debut.

Acton got to the line and put in a low cross that Hamilton met at the near post and turned under the ‘keeper for the opener.

Silsden were level on 59 minutes when it initially appeared that Danny Yates tackled cleanly and watched the ball go behind for a corner.

The referee saw otherwise though, and awarded a penalty that Rhodes stepped up to take - and he sent Fielding the wrong way.

That was about it for chances as both defences took over, soaking up anything the opposition could muster.

Silsden were hampered by injuries to key players during the game, but this was a very high quality game for this level, and it was easy to see why both sides fancy their chances of a top five finish this season.

The Hillmen travel to struggling Lancashire outfit Bacup Borough on Saturday.