Garforth Town produced a dominant performance to thoroughly outclass Lancastrians Rossendale United at their own Dark Lane Stadium in a ridiculous 2-2 draw. The Miner’s – who enjoyed approximately 75% of the possession, and an even steeper percentage of goal scoring chances – neutralised their hosts and hit the back of the net three times but were undone by two penalties, the second of which was an extremely controversial call.
After an initial feeling out process, Town took the initiative and then some. Andy Hayward came close with a volley on twelve minutes from a long throw in, and Duncan Williams tried his luck with an effort from distance. Wayne Harrat almost converted a curled free kick with a header, and a mere minute later Jason St Juste fizzed a dangerous ball into the six-yard box that was gratefully claimed by the goalkeeper.
With five minutes of first half action left Garforth found the net for the first time. Another throw in caused problems, and when the United shot stopper produced a good save Andy Hayward was on hand to convert the ball. For reasons unbeknownst to me at present, this goal was disallowed.
Brett Renshaw – excellent throughout – was released with a through ball soon after but was unable to finish the half chance under pressure. Then, Olly Hotchkiss adroitly held off several players to keep possession, and spread the play to St Juste. Jason beat his man for pace and released another dangerous cross, though Hayward’s headed effort went narrowly wide.
As the half drew to a close, a Hotchkiss free kick unintentionally struck the referee in the face. He lived.
Town began the second as they had ended the first – on top. Ben Small fed Williams a ball up the left channel, and the youngster cut in to lay off Hotchkiss for a shot that almost deflected in via Renshaw. It was the height of injustice when the hosts actually took the lead – a mistimed tackle leading to a penalty that Phil Eastwood converted on fifty minutes.
Williams and Hotchkiss constantly proved their worth to the team, combining well to set up Olly for a shot that missed by a lick of paint. Then, the games best moment occurred when Renshaw latched onto a through ball he was not favourite to win, excellently holding off two defenders before back heeling the ball for Hayward to flick past the keeper to regain parity.
Both Hayward and Williams would come close in the next ten minutes, before a curled cross was met toweringly by Renshaw, whose header struck the post. By now it was a foregone conclusion; sooner or later the visitors would score again and kill this mismatch of a game off.
Things got better for Garforth when an atrocious lunge at Gavin Phillis saw a Rossendale hot head get sent for an early shower. The writing truly appeared to be on the wall for United as Garforth promptly scored, Wayne Harrat placing a header into the top right corner with only ten minutes of play to go.
Disaster duly struck. Slight contact with a United attacker in the area saw the referee wave play on to give said striker the advantage, then four seconds later when the chance went begging abruptly awarded a penalty. Eastwood converted again, and though Town almost clawed back their deserved three points when a Hotchkiss free kick struck the post, the tie somehow ended up all square. At least Garforth have produced two dominant displays back to back, finding the net seven times in those outings, and will look to carry this form into the Tuesday fixture away at Durham. Howay the lads!
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