Athletic completed their 14th consecutive league victory. A win which should have been slightly more comprehensive as they were leading 5-0 with tweny minutes to go through Martin Ross(2), Steve Kernan, Jamie Caulfield and Tom Whitwham strikes.
Long Lee then staged a mighty fightback, albeit aided by some naive tactical reshuffling by the visitors and the nerves were definitely jangling in the Athletic defence for the final few minutes. They held on though and the three points puts Athletic in a strong postion in second place behind New Variety Club with several games in hand.
15/2/04 Keighley Athletic 13 Silsden Town 0
Despite a very spirited Silsden Town performance, the Cobbydalers were completely overwhelmed by the home side who completed their 13th consecutive league victory.
Mick Goodwin was the main tormentor, banging home an excellent first half hat-trick before being replaced at half-time by his brother Paul whose first touch was a 20-yard screamer into the roof of the net. Further goals came from Tom Whitwham(2), Mark Wilson(2), Adam Burns(2), Steve Kernan, Jamie Smith and Jamie Caulfield.
25/1/04 Wilsden 0 Keighley Athletic 2
A disorganised Athletic arrived at Marley with only 10 men as injuries, suspensions and unavailability meant 7 regular players were absent.
Athletic started brightly however and the ten men battled gamely to take an early two goal lead with goals coming from Jamie Caulfield and Steve Kernan. The late arriving Antonio Familio boosted Athletic to full compliment but this served only to instill lethargy and the last hour of the game was completely uneventful.
11/1/04 New Variety Club 3 Keighley Athletic 4
A recipe of mud, wind, rain and a tight Holy Family pitch served up an excellent quarter final Jeff Hall cup tie: It was a test of character for Athletic, who spent much of the game on the back foot whilst always looking dangerous on the counter attack. Steve Kernan delicately chipped home to put Athletic ahead only for Variety Club to hit back and sweep into what looked like an unassailable lead through Liam Jeffrey(2) and Johnny Lawrence strikes. However, in the last half-hour, Athletic came to life; Antonio Familio prodded home to reduce the deficit and Mark Wilson swiftly followed up with an equaliser. As the game entered it's final minute extra time loomed only for Mick Goodwin to sweep the ball out to Jamie Caulfield and from his resulting cross, Kernan gleefully pounced to bag his second and guarantee Athletic a place in the last four.
4/1/04 Keighley Athletic 3 B.C.A 1
Athletic closed in on the top of the table after coming out on top of a hard-fought clash against B.C.A. New signing Mark Wilson was the difference between the two teams; the Leeds-based striker scoring two superb first half goals and laying in Steve Kernan for the other. BCA came back strongly, but the game was over as a contest once they were reduced to ten men in the early stages of the second-half.
21/12/03 Keighley Athletic 0 Three Horses 3
Athletic deservedly crashed out of the Keighley Cup with a disappointing display against Three Horses. Keighley were without several key players and sorely missed the pace of Paul Gooodwin and Al Familio and the workrate of Tom Whitwham.
Although Athletic struck the bar early in the early stages, two soft goals before half-time meant they were always on the back foot. A further strike early in the second-half put the result beyond doubt.
30/11/03 Bocking 1 Keighley Athletic 3
Athletic completed their eleventh league win on the trot with a workmanlike performance against fellow title-challengers Bocking.
An excellent defensive display from Stewart Nicholson and Mick Goodwin meant the Bocking attack rarely threatened and once Steve Kernan and Dave Ellis had put Athletic into a 2-0 half-time lead, there was only going to be one winner.
Adam Burns went on to add a third after the break following a superb move involving Tom Whitwham and Gareth Peace. Bocking grabbed a consolation goal with virtually the last-kick of the game following a Bob Morrisroe clanger.
23/11/03 Keighley Athletic 7 Keighley Utd 2
Athletic maintained their relentless push for the title with an excellent victory over Keighley United. United are a fit, pacy side but they were ultimately undone by the irresistable Athletic forward line of the in-form Steve Kernan and the fit-again Paul Goodwin.
Kernan began the scoring with an exquisite chip and Goodwin nodded home a second on half-time before powering home a third just after the break. United fought back gamely and scored two quick goals through their tricky striker. However, once Dave Ellis had grabbed a fourth the result was beyond doubt and Goodwin scored two further goals with Kernan getting the other.
16/11/03 B.C.A 1 Keighley Athletic 6
Athletic progressed to the next round of the cup with a strong team performance against a useful B.C.A side. Steve Kernan was again in top form, lashing home an excellent hat-trick. This was complimented by a piledriving 25-yard Jamie Smith volley and further strikes from Paul Goodwin and the gangly Jamie Caulfield. Mention must also to Gareth Peace who put in a superb all round performace before being substituted.
9/11/03 Albert Hotel 1 Keighley Athletic 6
Another strong second-half display meant Athletic secured an ultimately comfortable win against a spirited Albert Hotel. Athletic rushed into an early 2-0 lead through Dave Ellis and Tom Whitwham strikes before Albert pulled one back after a Gareth Peace clanger. Athletic however, dominated the second period with the leggy Jamie Caulfield and sprightly Alex Familio the home sides main tormentors. Caulfield himself netted a brace and Familio another, substitute Bob Morrisroe stroked home the sixth.
