Silverdale at the double as they add Leek Cup to Staffs FA Vase by pipping champs on penalties

SILVERDALE Athletic are celebrating a double success after beating Staffordshire County Senior League Premier Division champions Ball Haye Green on penalties to win the Leek Cup.

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Goalkeeper Joe Gibbs emerged as the hero as he made two saves to enable Silverdale to win the cup 4-3 on penalties after the final had finished 2-2.

Allan Davies' team, who had already won the Staffordshire FA Vase this season, took on champions Green at the home of Leek Town last Friday night.

The game got off to a slow start with a blood injury halting play for eight minutes but when the game got back underway it was 'Dale who showed slightly more enterprise with Macauley Davies and Aaron Johns being a constant menace to the 'Green back line.

Finally after 32 minutes the deadlock was broken when Jack Barlow turned well in the area and fired home to put Silverdale ahead.

The Leek-based side hit back with a bout of sustained pressure and in stoppage time at the end of the first half, a cross from the left was fumbled by the Silverdale defence, the centre back and keeper stranded leaving Harrison Birch the simple task of scoring from ten yards.

The second half was more of the same, a tight midfield battle with few direct opportunities on goal but in the 65th minute 'Green forward Taylor McIlreavey found space in a crowded area to curl the ball sweetly into the bottom right corner of the net to put his side ahead for the first time in the game.

Allan Davies' Vase winners then faced an uphill task of getting back into the encounter but the introduction of Mason Franklin added extra power to a tiring front-line and he shot just over the bar with a rasping effort.