Whitchurch went top of the First Division table with a gritty display in Yorkshire, to record a fifth straight league win since the defeat at home to Widnes earlier this month. It wasn’t quite plain sailing at Silsden and the end result was harsh on the home side who provided the sternest test for Alport since Joey Dunn’s men won 5-2 at Yockings three weeks ago. But although this performance never reached the dizzy hights of the near faultless one at Eccleshall in midweek, it still underlined that Whitchurch can mix the way they play and still grind out a result. To win NINE away games on the bounce at any level of the game is some feat, but to do it at Step 6 and against some quality opposition is truly remarkable. Si Everall put Alport in front midway through the first half when Stevie McNichol’s header set him free, and the skipper was calmness personified as he rounded the Silsden goalkeeper and rolled the ball into the unguarded net. That was one of two opportunities afforded to the skipper, but the second one didn’t bring the same outcome as he was forced wide and opted to tee up Mike Blundell. His fellow striker took a decent first touch but he blazed well over four minutes before half time. Silsden were highly competitive but the Reds were well organised and limited their opportunities to really test Danny Read in goal. And with four out of five clean sheets during this recent run, the second goal was pivotal to the outcome. Thankfully it fell to Alport 21 minutes from time, when Matty Ashbrook was felled in the box to bring one of several penalties won by the diminutive winger this season. Up stepped the dependable Blundell to ram home the pen and after that Alport never looked like losing their advantage. All the best chances after that fell to the away side although sub Joe Minshall did pop up on the line to clear late on. By then Alport were three up after Si Everall had sent Blundell clear one-on-one with the keeper, and his deft lob nestled in the net to reward the small following from Shropshire. The difference between the two sides on the day was that extra bit of quality up front, and a water tight defence that is one of the tightest in the division.