19.4.2008
Garforth Town’s penultimate home game of the season ended in ignominious defeat, as title chasing Skelmersdale United maintained their pressure on pace-setters Bradford Park Avenue and Curzon. The Miner’s, bereft of numerous key players, fought bravely but were ultimately unable to overcome the deficit inflicted on them with two demoralising goals on the brink of half time.
The game ebbed and flowed, but neither side were able to apply the decisive touches through the application of dextrous skill or force. Skelmersdale showed an unusual lack of finesse or threat for a promotion chasing outfit, but the absence of a recognised goalscorer in the Garforth attack visibly hampered their ability to capitalise.
After several near misses from the home side, a well worked counter attack saw a curled cross field ball lure Brett Renshaw and Milton Turner out of position, as Skelmersdale striker Tony Murt cut the ball back into the centre for Chris Almond to tuck neatly past Spratt. The disheartening strike clearly affected Town, and the home defence were shell-shocked when an overlap two minutes later saw Sean McConville skip past his marker and slide the ball into the bottom right corner. With less than two minutes to play in the first, Town required a miraculous recovery in the second.
An early injury to George Williams necessitated the introduction of joint-manager Vernol Blair, as Town looked to improve their attacking success, but could not pierce the flanks or backline of the solid Skelmersdale system. Lee Ryan burst past an opponent and fired narrowly wide, and Mark Piper was unlucky with a low shot that flashed past the United goal. After various attempts to claw back numeric parity, Garforth were sank in the 77th as Aaron Turner elbowed Adam Clarke to the floor, before admirably switching feet with a quick drag and step and firing into the top left corner adroitly.
Garforth briefly came to life, as a seemingly valid penalty claim was ignored by the official, but could not convert an opportunity. The Miner’s must now look to produce a productive performance away at Mossley, with the return of several players and some battered pride at stake. The subsequent home fixture should prove to be more memorable than this one, as Town entertain the hordes of Salford and London with the visit of FC United of Manchester.
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