Sadly, the FA Cup dream has prematurely ended for Garforth, as the plucky Miner’s fell to a lucky Guiseley outfit from the top of a higher league. Three disastrous goals sank the hostile hosts, two of which occurred in the very late stages of a very evenly contested game that Garforth fully deserved to get something from.
The first half saw no real close calls from a Town perspective, though the play saw neither side claim any real dominance. The stars of the show seemed to be the Town old guard of yesteryear; namely Renshaw, Piper, Williams. All showed great determination and composure, even more impressively considering the young age of the latter two.
The best opportunity to take the lead for the home side would come when Dominic Blair managed to turn his marker, but was unlawfully taken down. This went with impunity. Guiseley would respond later in the half with a fiercely struck effort that sailed wide.
The second would prove to be a frustrating half for the Miner’s, as several bizarre official decisions had both sets of fans howling in derision, and Town boss Simon Clifford howling in rage. Earning his ire did nothing to improve the quality of officiating – sadly, given the excellent officiating just three days previous.
After twenty even minutes of second period play, a speculative through ball was improperly cleared, and the Town faithful groaned as the inevitable steady and shot saw Phillis beaten at his far post from ten yards. The lead was almost doubled as a good shooting chance was scuffed well wide somewhat less impressively.
Ten Garforth dominated minutes later, a lucky and innocuous Guiseley breakaway saw a Town clearance fly at high speed into the head of Brett Renshaw, unfortunately laying off a Guiseley shot that Phillis did well to save. Alas, the subsequent rebound broke Garforth hearts.
Guiseley immediately altered their outlook, and several attempts to time-waste were used. The unlikable conduct of former Town man Simian Bambrook in particular was strange over the two ties, acts of treachery so great that Judas Iscariot would have spat in the mans face.
With quarter of an hour on the clock Greg Kelly burst past the last line of defence, but with only the Lions numero uno to beat, fired his shot over the cross bar to widespread groans.
Redemption. Ten minutes to go, Mr Kelly cuts in from the left, fires a low shot straight at the keeper, and lo and behold, Guiseley goalie plays Taibi to Greg’s Le Tissier. Cheers mate, game on.
Sadly, beyond a cross that was intercepted, Garforth did not have much opportunity to build on the goal when a silly, inept loss of possession outside the Garforth box led to a low Guiseley shot finding the corner, ending hopes and shattering the Garforth cup dream. Kelly tried his luck with a free kick, Andy Haywood brought down a curled ball from Hotchkiss and managed to shoot, and Phillis pulled off an eye catching save before the final whistle blew time on an enjoyable 180 minute tussle with local rivals. Garforth must now look to continue this form in the league so that we can avenge this sickening but honourable reverse with league points on the line in the near future.
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