EVERY SECOND COUNTS

15th April 2017 - Holker Old Boys 1 v 2 Silsden - Up before the first erupting wren, out like a lark with an egg-bound chuff and down from Carlisle to Barrow as smooth as a soaring swift on steroids.  A grand wander around Cavendish Docks and Westleigh Point NR produced 38 bird species as well as a brace of windblown countenances.  A pop in to a local Morrisons for some scram and a brief walk at Sandscale NR was also had with the wind still blowing and the clouds building from the west.  We soon fled and arrived at Rakesmoor whereupon we had an entertaining natter with the guy on the gate and then enjoyed a good cup of Rosie Lee in the comfortable club house whilst watching the dog end of a premier league game that saw Spurs stuff Bournemouth 4-0.  A few heads entered the gaff (emphasis on a few) and after the odd natter we supped up and headed outside into the bracing April air.  Open and lofted the pitch was victim to the elements and we clenched our nether regions and kept our peepers peeled on a game that went something like this.

Silsden were given the first 45 minutes to play uphill and into the wind whilst the hosts had the downward slope and draft at their backs - this really should make a difference.  The first chance came the Old Boy's way when a corner caused confusion and the emerald clad No 6 (Kevin Watkin) found himself with the ball only a couple of yards out.  Blood rushed, a fuse blew and the globe was skied - a golden opportunity lost.  The guests responded and forced the HOB's keeper to spoon a clearance which, in turn, led to a rather clumsy tackle and a free kick. Silsden's No 8 (Joshua Eastwood) tried his luck with a low curler but the near post was missed and the netman breathed a huge sigh of relief.  Another Silsden free-kick soon followed but was easily snuffed out with the ensuing corner bringing sour FA but a quick throw in did see a shot unleashed that was close but just wide.  Despite the uphill task Silsden were cultivating the best chances and several more half efforts came.  Eventually a throw-in was had, a cross-field ball found Matthew Moses who produced some notable quality, made a pass to a colleague who in turn crossed without a seconds hesitation.  The ball landed at the feet of Mark Everingham who simply slapped home and gave Silsden a well deserved lead on the 16th minute.

Holker Old Boys now tried to respond and created several good moves that were just marred by an overriding degree of desperation in the final third.  One fine move in particular saw a real close in shot that should have been buried but alas the chance was rushed and bore no successful fruit.  Silsden then helped their opponents back into this one after a wild free kick was pounced upon by the Old Boy's No 4 (Billy Moss) who thrust forth, won a free punt that saw his comrade No 10 (John-Paul Stanway) pause, pick his point and then float the ball into the top corner of the framework with consummate ease - a quality goal from a good team response.  

Now Silsden reacted, their No 9 had a snapshot that was well saved and the incoming corner saw no real concern raised as the ball was nutted way over the bar.  A shot from the home team's No 4 kept the visitors honest before a midfield melee ensued and the game wound down to half-time.  The draft up the rear continued, an awful free-kick did little to warm the cockles and a cameo appearance by the sun was a particular high - the ref blew in good time and we headed indoors for tea and chips and a mull over the first 45.  Not bad but it must be emphasised that the Rakesmoor lads had missed a couple of sitters that may come back to haunt them.

Back out, half two and a settled period saw many probing balls from each unit come to little until Silsden put in a cross cum shot that forced the keeper to sprawl and save and give away a corner.  From this came a volley that saw the ball slapped into the turf with a wallop but somehow balloon up and over the crossbar.  A neat Old Boys one-two saw Stanway fire wide and it became more and more apparent that the home team were trying to win this one via on the deck manoeuvres rather than long ball hopefuls.  Alas much ado about nothing followed as conditions started to play merry hell and frustrate both hard working units.  It was a sticky patch but the next chance eventually came the HOB way when their efficient No 3 (Gareth Smith) played a beautiful ball to No 8 (Jamie Pattinson) who once again should have doubled his teams tally but again knocked off target.  Silsden counterattacked when Everingham pounced on a through ball and was only just denied at the last by an ever alert netter.  

The ref and liner now started to take some hefty flack as tempers rose and chances went astray and for me, the team who kept their heads and focus was surely the unit that was going to pinch this one and take the full 3 point prize.  Silsden's No 8 (Joshua Eastwood) belted a fair shot in that the keeper did well to save and their No 6 (Mark Trueman) followed up soon after with a wild shot that maintained impetus but flew high into the heavens.  Moments later Wademan had a punt and then a wild HOB back pass nearly gave the game away but the last man between the sticks did enough to temporarily halt the rising tide.  Minutes later the gloved guardian saved again and we seemed destined to end this game as a split decision.  Suddenly, in the last flagging seconds the Silsden No 6 (Mark Trueman) stepped up to assess a free-kick just outside the box.  With mind made up he decided to crack for glory and glory he bloody well got with a peach of a shot that soared into the roof of the net and brought sheer delight to his teammates and their set of travelling fans.  A pure Roy of the Rovers knock-out moment, one of those efforts that just can't be stopped and the celebratory beers after the match were surely being poured as, seconds later, the game came to a close.  What a finish and what a kick in the gonads for a home team who had hung on mightily well.  Man of the Match today was a tough call but I shall stick to the player who caught my eye and go for the Holker Old Boys No 3 (Gareth Smith) who was controlled at the rear, played some neat wing balls and who held a good discipline in a game that had many aspects to deal with - never easy!

FINAL THOUGHT - Rakesmoor is a fine ground and we thoroughly enjoyed our day out.  The match was a real rough and tumble affair with the aforementioned conditions dictating many matters.  For me Holker Old Boys are worthy of support as they are true underdogs battling many factors, the greatest of which is their out-on-a-limb location.  Today they dug in and proved to be a decent unit who just need a touch of fortune to go their way and a few more heads need to make the effort and support a very worthy club.  Silsden brought a rugged grit to the table today and could easily have given up on the game and settled for a battling draw. Their final efforts showed belief and a never-say-die determination and these are two assets that will serve them well for the next season and hopefully make them a force to reckon with. So, a good game on our wanders, cheap, cheerful and chirpy - grassroots and real - there is no other way!