Silsden 0 Park Avenue 4

Cougar Park witnessed an entertaining football match as these two near-neighbours played each other for the first time in their long histories.

Visitors Bradford Park Avenue ran out comfortable winners but Silsden were unfortunate not to register.

The effort they put in deserved at least a goal and it was only the thickness of the woodwork that denied them on two occasions.

"It was a very good work-out for us - Silsden gave us problems but we are looking ready for the new season now," said Bradford boss Benny Phillips.

"They actually defended well, the back four and the keepers. Our passing and moving was sharp. There were one or two of our lads that were not entirely happy with their own performances on a personal level but overall I felt everyone who was involved got something out of it."

Avenue almost broke the deadlock in the fourth minute. A flick from the lively Liam Flynn found Kevin Sanasy but his header looped onto the bar. The ball bounced and hit the bar again before dropping at the far post, where it was cleared.

That set the standard and the game rarely dipped below it. Midway through the first half the Cobbydalers also hit the frame of the goal. A neat turn by Andy Holden took him past his marker, he fed Lee Reilly, whose cross-cum-shot struck the inside of the angle and came out.

Two minutes later Avenue broke the deadlock. Sanasy burst into the area and sent in a cross that was not dealt with. Flynn picked up the loose ball and rifled it home from the edge of the area.

By the interval they had doubled their advantage with a well-worked second goal. Chris Gaghan broke down the right flank and cut inside before laying the ball back to Alistair Brown. He rolled it along the edge of the area to Tom Baker, who lashed a shot into the bottom corner.

Just 36 seconds into the second half Avenue were 3-0 up. A good cross-field ball by Baker was brought under control by Flynn, who skipped round a defender and chipped the advancing keeper.

Silsden had a good 15-minute spell but Avenue bounced back to net a fourth. Adam Morning headed on for Mike Moseley and he finished well before celebrating exuberantly.

Silsden's Aaron Hollindrake went on a good late run, turned a defender and hit a deft lob only to see it come off the face of the bar.

"They are a good side," admitted Cobbydalers manager Paul Schofield, "and they will do well next season.

"I think we were a bit better than the score-line suggests but fair play to Avenue, they are a very fit, very mobile team. They can also take their chances on this evidence."