Sunday League: Feathers take Senior Cup crown

Mount had already faced the heartache of a mid-week Eddie Hebblethwaite Halifax District Cup Final defeat to Hollins Holme but showed no aftermath of that

disappointment or a heavy fixture schedule as they burst out the blocks.

Feathers were struggling to get out of their own half in the early exchanges, but their defence remained stoic and in Christian Silkstone up front they had the perfect weapon for counter-attacking play.

It was to be the Feathers front man who was to put the pre-match under-dogs into the lead from one such counter. Mount dallied and lost possession in midfield and a break and cross found the lively front man who calmly lofted the ball home.

Mounts reaction was typically positive of their attacking play, with Callum Meade

and Jason Carney causing real problems for the Feathers defence. With over 50 goals between them this season they take some stopping but led by captain Josh Martin the Feathers defence continued their shut-out until the interval.

Three players were cautioned as a melee on the stroke of half time added a little edge to proceedings but the pattern of the second half play continued with Lee Mount enjoying more possession and Feathers effective on the break.

It was Silkstone again who was to double his sides advantage as a ball over the top took the Mount defence out of the equation and another clinical finish put his side into the ascendancy.

In what seemed like a blink of an eye it was 3-0 and Silkstone was now well on the way to deservedly claiming the man of the match accolades. In an almost carbon copy of his second finish he coolly slotted home for a hat-trick.

As the substitutions began, Mount threw on more forward talent to try and wrestle a way back into the match, whilst Feathers countered with more defensive stability.

Meade got some reward with a finish off the upright during an onslaught in the last

twenty minutes, but whilst Silkstone took the plaudits for his hat-trick it was Feathers resolve in defensive quarters that also stood out as the final whistle sparked huge celebrations.

The Briggs Priestley Senior Cup was jointly lofted in poignant fashion by captain

Josh Martin and the father of the late Jordan Manning, the Feathers player who sadly passed away during the season. The Feathers players had worn black armbands during the match with JM inscribed and the victory was a fitting tribute to a young player gone too soon.