29.3.2008
Well, we felt happy before kick off.
A blinding Bradford soundtrack consisting of Oasis, Blur, The Jam, Robbie Williams, Green Day, Lightning Seeds and Puff Daddy's 'I'll Be Missing You' preceded the fixture, and set the stage for a good game of football despite the previously glorious day and fine playing surface degenerating into murky, grey skies and rain, and a swamp respectively. Two lucky goals, over-officious refereeing, the world's worst display of ball boy provision, cynical fouls, time wasting tactics and some unsportsmanlike behaviour later, and still the enthusiasm of the loyal Town support was not dampened, the travellers chanting for their beaten team as all around wet Bradford fans hurried away, searching for a respite from the pouring rain.
The dream of promotion is probably over for this particular season, a harsh reality that became inescapably clear as not one corner but two sailed over the head of our goalkeeper, but the immediate future looks bright as Town proceeded to dictate the play for the majority of the match, against an outfit cocksure of league ascension.
Okavango in Botswana. Everglades in Florida. And the third largest quagmire known to humankind, the Horsfall Stadium Swamp in Bradford. Such were the surroundings Garforth Town had to ply their trade in today, as they fell victim to these disadvantageous conditions and the ruggedness of the more seasoned Avenue players, as the Miner's struggled to string together their trademark passing manoeuvres. Bradford seemed content to play on a surface with less grass than an Amsterdam café, and the final score-line was reflective of their relative suitability.
Town were never able to get into any real sway and control, as after only eight minutes of give and take, a wrongfully given in-swinging corner fooled the visiting defence and Karl Spratt, as the ball sailed over the stricken keeper's head and was forced in at point blank range by PA captain Steve Connors at the far post. Three minutes later, an almost carbon copy goal was scored as shell-shocked Town conceded another corner - this time rightly awarded - and Chris Williams curled a second effort over Spratt, this one sailing straight into the top corner of the net. Daedalus himself could not have flapped any better than the America bound shot-stopper.
The period saw the referee earn the ire of the away support, who for a time screamed 'corner' after every decision he made. The Town support remained spirited, and chanted, shouted and sang for their team incessantly throughout.After twenty minutes of play, a long high ball played up field by the returning Nathan Kamara was controlled beautifully by Luis de Melo, who turned his marker in the process and sped for goal. Perplexingly, a foul was given against the foreign striker, and a glorious chance to reduce the deficit was denied Town.
Soon after, a Garforth corner (the award of which drew inevitable cheers) was played short to Greg Kelly, who crossed to Brett Renshaw. The captain headed the ball back into the six-yard box, but failed to reach his intended target Milton Turner, and the ball was cleared.
A period of Garforth dominance ensued, as the visitors controlled the ebb and flow of the game but were unable to fashion decisive opportunities to score. The erosion of playing conditions contributed greatly, as there were murmurs the game was in danger of being abandoned as the rainfall became progressively worse. Older members of the crowd, or as some would say, the crowd, collectively sighed with nostalgia. Pig bladder's, rugby boots and a team bath for all. Garforth's attackers suffered due to this, being that they came expected a game of football worthy of the 2008 era, but the playmaker pulling Bradford strings was similarly affected, winger Chris Williams.
The Williams in question was slid through late in the half, and troubled Spratt with a low shot that was deflected narrowly wide. Garforth tried to counter attack but the ball was sticking underfoot and an attempt at dribbling represented a brave option. Long ball service duly commenced, as Garforth rode out the half on the crest of ascendancy but on the wrong side of a two-goal deficit that looked impossible to overturn in such conditions. The final act of the first half was a GBH committed on young Town midfielder Duncan Williams, who rose to win a header on the halfway line and was brusquely elbowed in the head by an opposing player. Even Pride Fighting Championships do not allow elbow strikes to an opponent. However, due to the godless heathen of an official, and the virtuous nature of our young midfielder, the criminal act of violence went unpunished, on and off the pitch.
Garforth were first onto the field in the second, visibly invigorated andbegan the half determinedly. A passing movement culminated with a de Melothrough ball that was intercepted, and a Casa Simpkins lay off fed Lee Ryan, who cut in to the edge of the area and saw his shot blocked by more stout defensive exertion. Still only in the 50th minute of play, Greg Kelly was put through on goal. The entire crowd witnessed a blatant pull by the Bradford defender, but the cynicism went without punishment and Kelly was only able to get a weak toe on the ball before goalkeeper Jon Worksnop forcefully claimed it.
Five foul filled minutes later and Town broke down the left wing, and the ball was played inside to Duncan Williams. The midfielder allowed the defenders to approach him before sliding in de Melo, who cut inside his man before his placed shot from eight yards was blocked.
On the hour mark, Chris Brown replaced Ryan and the Geordie made an immediate contribution, shooting low from twenty yards just wide of the near post. He was then involved in a passage of play that saw Greg played through once more and manage to flick the ball before the rapidly advancing Worksnop blocked his effort. The ball rebounded free for de Melo to fire into the empty net fromeighteen yards, but a desperate, last ditch slide tackle denied him, only made possible in the miserable conditions.
In the 72nd minute, a rare Bradford counter attack caught the overstretched Garforth cold, and a cut back from the wing to Connors saw the captain claim his second with a left footed placed finish to the far left post, that skidded agonisingly over the wet surface past Spratt. While the battling Town players looked justifiably dejected, their supporters raised their own volume in a show of appreciation, solidarity and loyalty.
With the result all but sealed, Town continued to dominate. The excellentMilton Turner received the ball at the edge of his own area, and seeing the space available in midfield, thrillingly burst through the centre and to the edge of the Bradford box, and laying off Chris Brown, watched his team-mates' shot saved by Worksnop, who performed well given the state of the ground. Fleet-footed Achilles himself would have watched Turner's run approvingly, as the Bradford defenders fell by the wayside like overwhelmed Trojans falling before the wrath of the Myrmidon.
Bradford peculiarly continued to waste time despite being three goals to the good, and their dugout refused to replace the single match ball when it was hoofed well out of play, despite possessing a bag full of replacements. Nathan Kamara opted to burst through from defence also, and his low shot drew another save from Avenue's best player by proxy. A Chris Brown header from a corner beat Worksnop and was cleared from the goal line, and another de Melo shot was intercepted. A late Bradford run ended in a shot struck disastrously wide, and Garforth responded with numerous balls curled up field into the host's danger zone. The score notwithstanding, Town's support were not dispirited as they applauded their players at the climax of the match, regardless of the outcome.
And so, Garforth failed to emerge from the mud with any points, and will probably remain in the Unibond Division 1 for another season. Bradford, currently tied with league leaders Skelmersdale may well be promoted and go on to inflict their quagmire upon more unsuspecting adversaries, but with a reportedly affluent owner and financial security the question remains; why no grass or ballboys? Town meanwhile, look to bounce back with a pleasing performance on April 5th at home to Chorley, and this time Sir Alex Ferguson's watch will not be a factor as the Miner's look to avenge the most blatant of footballing robberies.
No comments:
Post a Comment