Silsden 4, Holker Old Boys 0 - Michael Rhodes converted a hat-trick of penalties in the space of 20 minutes to take the Cobbydalers into third spot in the table on Wednesday night.

Dale Hoyle made it four and the defence kept a clean sheet for the fifth successive game as the team prepared for the visit of League Champions-elect Cammel Laird in the first leg of the Division Two Cup tomorrow (Saturday).

Holker made it far too easy for the Yorkshiremen by conceding three penalties in the first half. The first came after 14 minutes when Dale Hoyle rounded the keeper but a defender handled his goal-bound shot. Rhodes hit the penalty firmly to the keeper's right and Ottley was sent off.

Three minutes later Reed again found Longley but the keeper parried his volley. Hoyle headed against the post but was dragged down as he went to drive in the rebound. Rhodes despatched his second penalty to the keeper's left.

Hoyle and Bruce were spoken to by the referee after an altercation in midfield, but following the free kick Bruce kicked out at Hoyle in the penalty area. Another spot kick for Rhodes who completed his hat-trick with a fierce drive into the corner of the net.

Martin Bland then set up Longley who hit the bar with a bicycle kick before Hoyle headed home number four.

The second half was an anti-climax with Holker sitting deep and Silsden prepared to maintain possession.

n On Saturday they beat Ahston Town 2-0 with first half goals from Dale Hoyle and Michael Rhodes sealing the victory.

The Cobbydalers were soon out of the blocks and Gill was unlucky not to score in the opening minute when he broke through the defence only to hammer his shot against the post but the opening goal soon arrived when Hoyle rose to head home Holden's corner from close range.

Ashton having moved up the league in the last two months almost equalised immediately when Paul Atherton swivelled in the box and shot narrowly wide. Although the game swung from end to end neither side was able to maintain sustained possession.

Silsden were using the runs of Hoyle and Hey to put pressure on the visitor's defence although the best chance came from another Holden corner which Hanson headed firmly, but it flew over the bar.

Rhodes cleared at the second attempt after Atherton had set up Woodyear. Silsden doubled their lead on the stroke of half time with the best move of the half. Hoyle picked up the ball on the halfway line and broke forward feeding Hey on the edge of the box. Hey held the ball up and slid it sideways, Hoyle stepped over the ball and Rhodes hit it across the face of the goal where his goal-bound effort was deflected into the net.

Martin Bland made a powerful run through the defence on the restart but he lost control as the ball bobbled on a surface which was beginning to cut up. Holden then cut in from the left, beat three men and fed Hoyle but the striker was well tackled on this occasion. Reed failed to deal with a long ball but Foulger saved Turner's shot with his feet and Nettleton cleared the danger.

After 70 minutes Silsden should have made the game secure. Hoyle was brought down in the box in the process of heading in a Reed free kick but no penalty was awarded.

Adam Whiteoak replaced Hey and his fresh legs gave the visitors numerous problems. He almost scored with his first touch but was denied by the keeper's feet and after combining with Holden and Hoyle he rattled the bar from twenty yards. The Lancastrians were lightweight up front although Foulger had to make an acrobatic save to keep out Read's late free kick.

Before Silsden settled for a 2-0 win Longley hit the side netting from a narrow angle and Whiteoak dribbled through but the stretching Hoyle couldn't make contact.

Geary was pleased with the performance, and although there are several players nursing injuries the manager will be pleased to welcome back his talisman, Jimmy Hedges.

n Tomorow (Saturday) Silsden entertain runaway leaders Cammel Laird who have lost only one North west Counties game this season (3.00)pm and on Tuesday they visit Blackpool Mechanics in a vital League game.