Silsden entertained Littletown in the WR County Amateur League on Saturday for only their second home league game of the season -- and pulled off a 2-1 win.

They were slow to start, perhaps their minds were on this weekend's FA Vase encounter with Alsager, and were nearly punished after only five minutes when Littletown's Gardner lobbed Martin Foulger only to see his effort go wide.

Martin Bland set up Michael Ward with a perceptive through ball but Ward chipped the chance into the keeper's arms. The game flowed from end to end, Peter Hanson had two shots blocked then Matthew Bland thwarted a Littletown breakaway. Rhodes fed Martin Bland who crossed for Ward, the striker's shot shaved the post. From a free kick following a foul on the marauding Rosser, Adam Reed fed Matthew Bland who headed just over.

With one minute to go the half time Littletown broke away, Foulger was left stranded and Gardner slid the ball home. Silsden replied immediately, Spencer headed over, and Hedges shot wide after an interchange of passes with Ward.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Spencer crossed for Martin Bland but he headed over. A Reed free kick again found Bland but the keeper saved his effort. Michael Rhodes broke through but was checked on the edge of the box but the resulting free kick hit the wall. Hedges goal bound shot caught the keeper's legs. Littletown's only chance was sqandered by the left winger.

Subsititute Andy Holden came on and made an immediate impact - a superb cross which Hedges flicked to the back post - unfortunately the wrong side of it. Finally the equaliser came, Holden fed Martin Bland who fed into the box, Ward dummied, and Jimmy Hedges, his back to goal, spun like a Subuteo striker to rifle the ball home. Ward volleyed Matthew Bland's cross straight at the keeper but three minutes later he beat the keeper after being put through by Hedges. Ward might have had another but he hesitated in front of goal. Gavin Finn broke through and was denied by a great save and Martin Bland hit the roof of the net from 40 yards.

The victory was comfortable in the end but Silsden will need to step up a gear this weekend if they are to progress to round two of the FA Vase.

Spectators at the match included groundhoppers Dave Bradley from Milton Keynes and John Clarke from Coventry. Dave had seen a match in Sussex on Wednesday and one in Norfolk on Friday and had totalled up 1600 grounds. John had been in Scotland the previous week and had visited 2600 grounds. They enjoyed their visit to Cougar Park, as did Mr Incenzo from Stevenage who writes for the FA Competitions Newsline.

Steeton continued their climb up the league with a 3-0 victory over Ovenden.

Adam Whiteoak secured their victory with a superb hat-trick, including a penalty. The Summerhill side were 1-0 up at the break and turned up the heat in the secondhalf with two further goals without reply.

Keighley Shamrocks are struggling to get any consistency into their season and wend down to a 2-0 defeat at home to Lower Hopton.

They had held the third placed side to 0-0 at half time, but conceded two goals in the second half.

Keighley Shamrocks Reserves went down 1-0 to Littletown while Steeton Reserves beat Lower Hopton 4-2 with goals from Joynal Ali (3) and Simon Perryman.

Silsden reserves pulled off a 4-1 win over Tyersal, taking the lead after ten minutes through Mark Trueman. Andy Nelson made it two following good work by Danny Finn.

Ten minutes into the second half Nelson and Dawson combined well opening up a chance for Harry Peacock who fired home from twenty yards. Trueman chipped the keeper before Tyersal gained a consolation goal.