By Callum Petterson
George Doyle was the penalty hero to earn Golcar United three points with the final kick of the game.
The Weavers won 3-2 at Silsden with two stoppage time goals to turn the game around, meaning the village leapfrogged their opponents in the league, rising to 10th in the table.
Silsden took the lead in the 11th minute, former Golcar striker Kayle Price latched onto a loose ball from a corner and rounded Sam Kelly before slotting the ball home to give the hosts an early lead.
Golcar had chances to equalise before the break but just couldn’t seem to finish their chances, so went into half-time trailing 1-0.
It took just four minutes for Golcar to find the net in the second half. Doyle received the ball on the edge of the box and hit it on the half volley into the far corner, leaving the Silsden keeper with no chance.
With just under half-an-hour remaining, Silsden were reduced to 10 men. Cody Cromack elbowed Alfie Wilkinson in the face, leaving the referee with no option but to brandish a red card.
With Golcar looking to get all three points against 10 men, Silsden weren’t going to give them up easily. With just 10 minutes of normal time remaining, Casey Steward made it 2-1 to the hosts via a number of deflections.
Into stoppage time, the village were now pushing for an equaliser to salvage something from this game. In the 4th additional minute Adam Field stabbed home after a goalmouth scramble from a corner to earn what looked like a point.
However, Golcar weren’t finished there and deep into stoppage time Doyle burst into the box before being wiped out, earning his side a penalty.
Isaac Baldwin committed the foul and saw red too, meaning Silsden finished the game with nine men.
Fast approaching the 100th minute due to all the stoppages, Doyle stepped up to take the penalty. He calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, sending the travelling Golcar fans wild with celebration as he secured all three points for the village.
Golcar joint manager Ash Connor (above) said he wanted his side to find consistency over the remainder of the campaign, writes Martin Shaw.
“We had a tough start but we have picked up throughout the season and, on our day, we have the beating of anyone in this league,” he said.
“Since October we have had some great results beating good sides such as Campion and Hallam and we always create chances and can be an entertaining team to watch.
“We have strengthened the squad through the season and we need to be a little more consistent now.
“I’ll never question the workrate and commitment of this team. There’s a togetherness and desire to go and win games and that was never in doubt.”
Golcar are 10 points adrift of the play-offs having played more games than most of the teams above them and Connor said: “We just want to win as many matches as we can and see where that takes us.”
Golcar next take on Frickley Athletic at the Skye Direct Stadium on Tuesday February 6 (7.45).
Images by: Huddersfield Hub photographer SEAN DOYLE
