Congleton Town 2 Silsden 0

 Silsden came up against the form team in the Vodkat North West Counties League Premier Division and ended up second best as Congleton registered their sixth victory on the trot.

The home side eased into the lead in the second minute. A free-kick caught Silsden napping and when keeper Phil Rishton could only parry Matt Rhead’s header, Scott Dundass pounced to net from close range.

New signing Chris McTigue, a youngster who came through the under-19s at Bradford Park Avenue, cleared the next effort after another flick-on by the head of the towering Rhead.

The Cobbydalers’ best chance of the first half was a Danny McNulty free-kick that went round the wall but straight into the arms of the home keeper.

Striker Chris Simpson had already seen a shot go wide and another saved.

Cobbydalers defenders Rob Barrowclough and Aqeeb Khalif had cleared other Town efforts off the line before the game was finally settled. With just 12 minutes remaining, a Rhead shot was blocked by Rishton but Lewis Short beat Barrowclough to the loose ball and forced it over the line.