On Saturday, East Leeds outfit Garforth Town will host three time FA Cup quarter finalists and rival Yorkshiremen Bradford Park Avenue, in what promises to be a full blooded affair at the Genix Healthcare stadium. The two sides met earlier in the season, with Bradford edging a closely fought encounter by a single goal, and the return promises to be a hot ticket to the followers of BPA and the Miner’s fans alike.
Garforth have been inconsistent as of late – an impressive victory over FC United of Manchester has been followed by eight wins, four draws and eleven losses, a record which conjures connotations of a talented but unreliable journeyman boxer. Avenue are flying – third in the league table on 42 points with five games in hand over second placed Osset Albion and a two game advantage over current pacesetters Curzon. A win would elevate Garforth right back in promotion contention – currently somewhat jeopardised by the inability to win the most recent games played, thus handing the initiative to teams with games in hand. To capitalise on their advantage in matches played would firmly place Bradford in the title race, and create a more comfortable gap between themselves and FC United, just outside the playoff zone.
The miserable weather should suit Bradford better – Garforth’s now inextricable link with Brazilian football has given the Miner’s side a reputation for comparative flair in English amateur football. Should the outfit gain promotion it would be for the third time in four seasons – a Clifford inspired rise from the tenth pyramid level of English football to the seventh. As improbable as it sounds, try suggesting a former Brazil captain would ever be enticed to an NCE league club....
Daniel Fletcher
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