Garforth Town 1 - Whitby 3

3.1.2009

Garforth started 2009 with a disappointing defeat at the hands of Britain’s eighth favourite tourist destination Whitby at the Genix Healthcare Stadium. The Seasider’s snatched three points like gulls swooping on discarded ‘chippie’ chips, as Town look to continue without several key players in their ranks.

The Miner’s did make several incisive moves in the first period, but found themselves behind after a free kick led to Whitby’s soft opener. Brett Renshaw levelled proceedings when he met an inexpertly cleared corner with a finish that beat everybody in the area.

Garforth were next denied by some freakishly bad luck, as a penetrative attack down the left saw a point blank header somehow see the goalkeeper recover, rescuing his team from a sure-fire half-time disadvantageous deficit.

The second period of play saw another weak goal scored by Whitby, as the home outfit were stunned by more set piece confusion. The despondent home outfit proceeded to dominate the subsequent half hour of play, controlling possession in midfield without quite managing to break the Whitby rear-line. John Swift tried his luck with a distance effort the keeper fumbled, and a flicked head on from was cleared by a defender from the goal-line itself.

Sadly, a cross was converted shortly after the hour mark at the other end, and Garforth were faced with an uphill struggle against the odds. Still, they showed heart in defeat; Greg Kelly pugnaciously latched onto an overhit through ball on the left wing that he seemed unlikely to reach, and cut inside, laying off Jason St Juste. The former Darlington and Southampton man almost showed his old class with a sweetly struck left footed shot that the goalkeeper saved well.

St Juste would try his luck again with ten minutes to go, after a long throw in caused confusion. His shot was desperately blocked, as was the following driven attempt from Renshaw, who failed to reproduce his earlier effort.

The dependable Duncan Williams put in a strong display, and on 83 minutes latched onto a loose second ball and slid through Hayward on goal. Unfortunately, the veteran strikers piledriver was aimed straight at the goalkeeper, who parried wide.

Two further effort – a half volley from Greg and a blistering shot following a jinking run from saw the game climax with Garforth in the ascendancy, but with the points destined for Yorkshire’s fourth best fishing port.

Garforth Town 2 - Trafford 1

20.12.2008

Garforth did the double over beloved middle-class Mancunian rivals Trafford FC with a 2-1 victory that was harder fought than the 5-0 mauling they inflicted at the Shaw View stadium in late November. The fare was less exquisite than that day also – more Vinnie Jones and co. than Cruyff, Neeskens and Oranje totaalvoetbal – but served as a fine Christmas present from the Town squad to Clifford and the fans, as the Miner’s look to push up the table in the new year.

The Metropolitan borough of Trafford has a population of nearly quarter of a million people, and the six that travelled in support of their team did them proud with a variety of reworded Manchester United songs. They were briefly silenced, however, when Town found the net after only 13 minutes when a Duncan Williams corner was guided into the net via the head of .

Andy Hayward was played through in the right channel soon after, and the veteran held the ball up and angled for a shot that was well saved by Aaron Tyrer. The rest of the half saw few clear cut chances, as both sides nullified the threat of their opposition, the visitors no doubt mindful of the embarrassing November humiliation.

Trafford clawed their way undeservingly back into the tie with a low shot that eluded Luke Gibbons, but the goalkeeper made amends with a string of excellent saves that would ultimately mean two or even three extra points claimed from a close fixture.

Substitute Greg Kelly burst past several players before unleashing a fierce shot from twenty yards as the ball bobbled. Tyrer again produced a save, pushing the ball to safety.

Duncan Williams produced also, in his case an industrious performance reminiscent of his midfield dominance throughout 07/08. His efforts earned a corner on the hour mark, and his inswinger was met by Lee Connor who forced the ball home to regain the lead for Garforth.

Town were revitalised by the goal, epitomised by defender and captain Brett Renshaw’s surprise burst upfield. A counter attack saw Gibbons palm over a long distance shot struck in anger that seemed destined for the top right corner.

The last chance of note came from Greg Kelly, who retrieved a loose ball and outmanoeuvred two defenders in the right channel before cutting in for goal. The angle was tight, and Tyrer saved his low effort.

So Vinnie and co. won the day, and Town can enjoy Christmas with a win before the away day at Wakey on Boxing Day, so Feliz Navidad from Garforth Town and moi.

Garforth Town 3 - Skelmersdale 6

6.12.2008

A high scoring game packed filled to the brim with talking points, goals, free flowing football and Skelmersdale diving saw the Miner’s score three times and lose to an in-form outfit who inflicted a 10-0 spanking on table topping Bamber Bridge midweek.

Garforth new boy Graham Marchant nearly found the net in the fourth minute with a header that Skelmersdale goalkeeper Ryan McMahon did well to save. Shane’s illegitimate brother may well have changed the course of the game with that move, as the visiting Scouse-mancs immediately scored in an excellent counter attack, Mark Houghton converting at the climax of the move.

Houghton repeated the trick on 13 minutes, giving the Skem a strong foothold on what was an even game up to this point, with both sides mounting an offence. Unfortunately, a suspicious tumble in the Town box led to Sean McConville expertly firing a penalty home to further increase Skem’s lead.

The moment of the match occurred in the 27th minute when George Donnelly blasted a surprise half-volley that caught the Town defence and keeper unawares, and almost tore the net from twenty-five yards. Fair play George.

Oliver Hotchkiss, in his last home game for the club, fired a speculative swerving chest and volley effort from the right wing that McMahon was equal to. However, Town were in luck when an attempt on goal was helpfully steered past Vince’s kid by Skelmersdale defender Michael White. As Cooper said on the PA, ‘Cheers Skelmersdale’.

The second half began perfectly; 47th minute, Andy Rowan released, turn, boom, save, goal bound, Duncan Williams, theft of goal, tap in, 4-2. Game on.

It almost got better; substitute Greg Kelly showed his worth in outpacing several Skelmersdale midfielders before exchanging passes with Hayward and heading for goal. What followed was interesting – Greg was tripped by the last man, thus rendered unable to score. Red card? Erm…. no. What can I say?

Five minutes later, Greg was hurtling goalwards again… tripped by what was by and large the last defender. Red card? Erm… no. What can I say?

Garforth moods were hardly improved when a questionable free kick was converted on the hour mark by Martin Crowder.

The subsequent twenty minutes saw Duncan claim a second – a placed finish after a high ball into the Skelmersdale box – several dives and a heated situation down by the dug outs resulting from a fair, legal tackle on McConville, and an outrageous penalty that the aforementioned Macca justly blasted wide.

With the game all but gone, Garforth conceded to Donnelly again, who cut in from the left and found the bottom right corner. Shortly after, Kelly was released and rounded McMahon, but was unable to find an angle from which he was comfortable shooting from and the ball was overrun.

Soon after the whistle was blown on what was an entertaining, goal-ridden game, with some great football from Skelmersdale but some questionable tactics and decisions also. Garforth were unlucky to leave the park with the disproportionate deficit, although it must be conceded they encountered a very capable, title chasing side.