Formby 2 – Silsden 2
After the euphoria of the previous Saturday’s F.A Vase victory over Northallerton Town, Formby came down to earth against Silsden in the First Division of the Vodkat League at Altcar Road on Saturday, battling back from two-goals down to earn a point.
The Squirrels were without striker Steve Cavanagh who had not recovered from his ankle injury sustained at Northallerton but defender Mark Dermott was available again. Ian Turner replaced Cavanagh up front and skipper John Garnell returned to the side having been missing the previous week.
Formby produced a lack-lustre display in the first half of Saturday’s match, allowing the Yorkshire visitors the opportunity to take a first half lead. The home side came out with more purpose in the second, but again conceded a goal. As the game went on, Formby got stronger and stronger and after drawing level through goals from Darren Jones and Martyn Wilson, they could have taken all three points.
It was Silsden who had the first opportunity after just six minutes when Lee Reilly broke into the area but Formby goalkeeper Lee Gunnion managed to tip the ball past the near post for a corner.
On 12 minutes Formby were awarded a freekick which was taken by John Garnell but was easily saved by goalkeeper Foulger.
Formby’s best chance of the half came just moments later when young striker Ian Turner unleashed a dipping shot from 25 yards which looked to be heading over Foulger but the goalkeeper managed to backtrack and tip the effort over the crossbar.
Both sides struggled to gain any real advantage in a fairly evenly matches first half, but it was Silsden who gained the lead on 37 minutes when striker Lee Reilly broke into the Formby area. He managed to evade two challenges and his low drive went into the net via the glove of Gunnion, who was unable to prevent the ball entering the net.
Silsden gained a vital second goal just three minutes into the second half when a rare mistake from defender Mark Kerr allowed Silsden’s Holmes to break into the area and try a shot on goal which was met by Andy King who turned the ball home from close range.
The goal was a blow for Formby, but they battled hard to try and get back into the game but failed to test Foulger with any significant opportunities as the Silsden defence coped with everything thrown at them. The vital breakthrough finally came on 65 minutes when Formby were awarded a freekick some 25 yards out. Defender Darren Jones’ kick took a deflection off a head in the Silsden wall and flew past goalkeeper Foulger into the top corner of the goal.
The equaliser came ten minutes later when winger Martyn Wilson broke into the Silsden area and rifled a low shot past Foulger.
The goal lifted the home side further and they tries to press their opponents for the winner, but with time running out they were unable to find the back of the net and had to settle for a draw.
MATCH FACTS
GOALS: REILLY (37mins)0-1, KING (48mins)0-2, D.JONES (65mins)1-2, WILSON (75mins)2-2.
FORMBY: GUNNION, DERMOTT, D.JONES, ROSE, KERR, GARNELL, MORLEY (Sub. P.JONES (65mins), McMULLEN, TURNER, LAMB, WILSON. SUBS NOT USED; HOWARD, McGEE, ROBINSON.
SILSDEN: FOULGER, RHODES, McNULTY, HIRD, NETTLETON, AIREY, KING, THOMPSON, REILLY, HOLMES (Sub. APPLEBEE 67mins), PACKER (Sub. DIBB 73mins). SUBS NOT USED: HANSON, CHRISTIAN.
REFEREE: MR J.DOWD of LIVERPOOL.
ATTENDANCE: 110.
Report by Paul Lawler