Mossley 2 - Garforth Town 1

22.4.2008

The players of Garforth Town entered their penultimate fixture of the season determinedly, but their defiance was ultimately futile as the Miner's were stung by the occasionally fundamental injustice of football that the team withthe most goals wins, as an undeserving Mossley claimed the full three points from this encounter with two unexpected thunderbolts from range. Despite controlling the pace of the game, Town could not claw their way back into proceedings despite a late consolation goal courtesy of Mark Piper.

Town were sharp early doors, and an imminent victory seemed inevitable judging by the gulf in class with the player's comparative abilities. Piper - a welcome return to form - released Luis de Melo on the right but the Portuguese midfielder's cross was blocked, as was a shot from Adam Clarke following a penetrative move down the left flank with Duncan Williams, Chris Brown and Piper. The former Southampton and Brazilian Soccer Schools graduate himself received a through ball from Williams and his cut inside and cross was marginally overlong for Brown. Brown turned from a throw-in and shot narrowly wide. Williams displayed his contempt for the opposition with a 'Rivelino elastico' on the left flank, to widespread grudging grins and chuckles among the home support. Olé, olé.

The party was short-lived. Gatecrasher Dave Boardman latched onto a loose headed ball on 40 minutes, and shot assuredly and low from twenty yards.Phillis tried in vain to save but the Mossley man's shot was well struck, and Town found themselves unexpectedly in a losing situation once more.

With attack now a necessity, Town proceeded to dominate the second half in its entirety. Piper and Williams were a constant threat, and Vernol Blair showed good touches and even a yard of pace after entering the fray to enhance the attack. Mark Pipú was released once more on goal, but uncharacteristically in light of his performance was unable to beat Ashley Connor in the Mossley goal,who did well to block the southerner's effort. Mossley meanwhile failed utterly to muster a mere semblance of attacking football, yet the visitors could not claim their divine right to parity.

Disaster struck along with the lightning a second time, as a fiercely fired yet mis-hit cross from Leon Henry comprehensively found its way past Phillis,and the flaccid and previously wilted hosts were suddenly revitalised, as they were now only quarter of an hour away from recording a victory as unjust as that of the Greeks at Troy.

Minutes later, Garforth regained some ground as Luis's in-swinging corner found the head of Piper, who powered the ball past Connor to retrieve some battered pride and create intrigue for the final ten. Again, it wasn't to be,but not for lack of trying as Williams tried his luck with a chest and volley,Luis with an ambitious and high, curled free kick from thirty yards and Brett Renshaw with a header met from Blair's delicate set up. A relieved Mossley applauded their long suffering and remarkably enduring fans, as Town trudged off fully aware that they had snatched defeat from the jaws of victory leading into their end of season carnival at home, hosting the aforementioned red hordes of, apparently, Manchester. Bring on 'the Busby Babes'.