Tadcaster Albion 1, Silsden 1

Silsden began their pre-season build-up with a draw at a club who are gearing up to be at the same level on the pyramid in the forthcoming season.

Tadcaster Albion won promotion to the Kool Sport Northern Counties East League Premier Division by landing the Division One title. That puts them on the same rung of the non-league ladder as the Cobbydalers, who play their football in the Vodkat League.

Yesterday’s first friendly for both clubs saw Taddy coming out of the blocks fast and causing problems for their visitors but some good saves from Silsden’s trialist keeper ensured the first half remained goalless.

The Cobbydalers took the lead in the second half through Chris Clare, a young player brought to the club from Burnley, but the home side bounced back to claim a deserved draw from the fixture.

Cobbydalers boss Chris Reape said: “I thought we were the better side in the second half but after being under the cosh in the first half, I’ll settle for that. The results mean nothing in pre-season in any case.

“It is still very early days but the football season is upon us again. Even before the World Cup finished we were back out there.

“Tadcaster were first class, to be honest. They made us welcome and looked after us. We are very grateful to them for offering the friendly because we have nowhere to play.

“The construction workers are due to arrive tomorrow to start on the floodlights that we need to begin our season at Keighley Road. We should be playing Oldham Athletic next Saturday but that could be off now.

“There is nothing wrong with the pitch or the dressing rooms and facilities but there could be a health and safety issue because of the building work. I have spoken to Oldham about switching the game to their training ground.

“We didn’t have anywhere near a full-strength squad for the game at Tadcaster because there are still a lot of players on holiday. But it was a very good work-out and the fitness levels and performance of the boys has given us something to build on.”