MATCH PREVIEW | SILSDEN AFC (h) NPL East

After back to back defeats against Pontefract Collieries and Redcar Athletic, Boro arrested the slide with a valuable point at Hallam on Tuesday night and this weekend will be hoping to go one better and record a home victory against our visitors, from West Yorkshire, Silsden AFC.

The Cobbydalers will head into the fixture in a buoyant mood after two positive results in their last two outings. On Tuesday they secured a very impressive point at home to second placed Bradford Park Avenue and this followed a vital victory over fellow strugglers Newton Aycliffe as they ran out victors by three goals to two. Despite these two improved results our visitors still find themselves in the relegation zone courtesy of an inferior goal difference to Bishop Auckland. The disparity in the goal difference is largely down to their humbling at the hands of Redcar last month as they suffered a 10-1 defeat on the road. Although, as we know too well, it is a very difficult place to go!

Boro will hope to build on the point gained on Tuesday night in South Yorkshire and put their recent home defeat to Ponte behind them and enhance their impressive home record, something that was our undoing last season. It is vital that we continue to be hard to beat at home if we are to solidify our place in and around the play-off picture. Tuesday saw the return from suspension of talisman Dayle Southwell and he was instrumental in the build up that led to Yorkie's opener. Dayle will be keen to get his name on the scoresheet this weekend and will be licking his lips at the oppositions defensive record that has seen them concede 27 goals in their 11 league games so far this season.

Also involved in the goal on Tuesday night, was all action midfielder, Jack Richardson. Richo had missed the previous two games through illness and his return and an improved result is no coincidence in my opinion. Baz has spoken freely about the strength in depth he has at his disposal this season and that was in evidence during the week as seasoned ex-pro Bradley Wood and Edwin Essel (who worked extremely hard and impressed at times away to Redcar), both saw themselves starting on the bench. Both will be hoping for a start on Saturday. 

Seb Auton will continue in goal in a week where his parent club, Grimsby Town, confirmed the extension of his loan. Seb continues to improve, week on week and made some very impressive saves at Redcar as well as a game saving 90th minute stop in midweek. Following injury and two appearances from the bench, Tom Sawyer took his place back at the heart of the defence against Hallam and his presence in front of Seb will only help bring his game on and make us harder to beat. Who fills the full back positions is harder to call with Toppo, AJ, Arun and Luis Adlard all filling these holes in recent games, another tough decision for Baz and coaching team to decide upon.

We hope to see as many of you at Bradley FDC as possible, the forecast is set fine, so why not head down to see some proper football, have a beer and a burger and help cheer Boro on as we look to close the gap on the league leaders and play off contenders. 

Form Guide (last 6 games)

Boro - WWWLLD

Silsden - DLLLWD