Match Reviews for
NCEL Match Review 2024/25 #62
20th March, 2025
A 5-1 midweek win at neighbours Eccleshill United means that Silsden AFC are within touching distance of lifting the NCEL Premier Division title.
The Cobbydalers, who will be crowned champions if results go their way this weekend, raced into a 3-0 lead with Robbie Fox, Casey Stewart and Kayle Price all finding the net in the opening eighteen minutes.
Zackary Sangster pulled one back for the Eagles around the half hour but it was only a brief respite as Stewart's second ensured Silsden were 4-1 up at the interval with Fox doubling his tally with their fifth midway through the second period.
Silsden are now seven points clear of Hallam with three games to play whilst third placed Golcar are nine points behind with a further match left in their season.
Albion Sports missed out on a chance to move into the play-off zone as they were beaten 2-1 at home by Handsworth, Junayd Cassius-Gill with a consolation on 39 minutes after Harry Jessop's penalty and a Mitchell Dunne strike had given the visiting Ambers what proved to be an unassailable advantage.
Handsworth climb up to seventh, eight points away from the top five with three games remaining.
In Division One, second placed Wakefield AFC's 23 match unbeaten run came to an end as they went down 2-1 at home to promotion rivals Ilkley Town.
Maxim Hague opened the scoring for the away side halfway through the first period and Toby Marriott doubled their lead at the same point in the second half before Kelan Swales reduced the deficit for the hosts.
The defeat leaves Wakefield five points behind leaders Horbury Town with two games in hand whilst Ilkley strengthen their grip on a play-off place in fourth.
Dearne & District leapfrog into fifth as Jamie Austin and Bayley Lowe struck late on to add to Curtis Wilkinson's opener in a 3-0 win at Armthorpe Welfare.
Swallownest and Athersley Recreation secured their NCEL status with victories, Max Sketon, Luke Bown and Billy Stafford with the goals for Swallownest in their 3-0 home win over Louth Town.
And, the Rec came from 3-1 down with six minutes remaining to win 4-3 at Glasshoughton Welfare, James Byford, Nathan Perks and Aston Dunstan netting for them in a dramatic finale.
Meanwhile, there were also last gasp victories for Hallam and Golcar United who both struck in stoppage time to win 3-2 at home to higher-ranked opposition in the Semi-Finals of their respective County Cups.
Leon Howarth scored the winner for the Countrymen in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup, his second of the evening, whilst Rio Allan also got on the scoresheet as an outstanding crowd of 1,255 watched them defeat visitors Stocksbridge Park Steels.
And, it was Alfie Wilkinson who was the hero for Golcar in the West Riding County Cup as they dispatched Pontefract Collieries, Callum Petch and George Doyle with their earlier goals either side of the interval.
However, Beverley Town missed out on a place in the Final of the East Riding Senior Cup as Alexander Knaggs and Elliott Andrew scored in a 2-2 draw with Hull United, the Humber Premier League side going through 4-3 on penalties.
The Cobbydalers, who will be crowned champions if results go their way this weekend, raced into a 3-0 lead with Robbie Fox, Casey Stewart and Kayle Price all finding the net in the opening eighteen minutes.
Zackary Sangster pulled one back for the Eagles around the half hour but it was only a brief respite as Stewart's second ensured Silsden were 4-1 up at the interval with Fox doubling his tally with their fifth midway through the second period.
Silsden are now seven points clear of Hallam with three games to play whilst third placed Golcar are nine points behind with a further match left in their season.
Albion Sports missed out on a chance to move into the play-off zone as they were beaten 2-1 at home by Handsworth, Junayd Cassius-Gill with a consolation on 39 minutes after Harry Jessop's penalty and a Mitchell Dunne strike had given the visiting Ambers what proved to be an unassailable advantage.
Handsworth climb up to seventh, eight points away from the top five with three games remaining.
In Division One, second placed Wakefield AFC's 23 match unbeaten run came to an end as they went down 2-1 at home to promotion rivals Ilkley Town.
Maxim Hague opened the scoring for the away side halfway through the first period and Toby Marriott doubled their lead at the same point in the second half before Kelan Swales reduced the deficit for the hosts.
The defeat leaves Wakefield five points behind leaders Horbury Town with two games in hand whilst Ilkley strengthen their grip on a play-off place in fourth.
Dearne & District leapfrog into fifth as Jamie Austin and Bayley Lowe struck late on to add to Curtis Wilkinson's opener in a 3-0 win at Armthorpe Welfare.
Swallownest and Athersley Recreation secured their NCEL status with victories, Max Sketon, Luke Bown and Billy Stafford with the goals for Swallownest in their 3-0 home win over Louth Town.
And, the Rec came from 3-1 down with six minutes remaining to win 4-3 at Glasshoughton Welfare, James Byford, Nathan Perks and Aston Dunstan netting for them in a dramatic finale.
Meanwhile, there were also last gasp victories for Hallam and Golcar United who both struck in stoppage time to win 3-2 at home to higher-ranked opposition in the Semi-Finals of their respective County Cups.
Leon Howarth scored the winner for the Countrymen in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup, his second of the evening, whilst Rio Allan also got on the scoresheet as an outstanding crowd of 1,255 watched them defeat visitors Stocksbridge Park Steels.
And, it was Alfie Wilkinson who was the hero for Golcar in the West Riding County Cup as they dispatched Pontefract Collieries, Callum Petch and George Doyle with their earlier goals either side of the interval.
However, Beverley Town missed out on a place in the Final of the East Riding Senior Cup as Alexander Knaggs and Elliott Andrew scored in a 2-2 draw with Hull United, the Humber Premier League side going through 4-3 on penalties.
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