8/4/2009
“Simply the best…. Better than all the rest.” Tina Turner’s dulcet tones boomed from the speakers, as Brett Renshaw walked to collect the West Riding County Cup for the victorious Garforth conquering cup heroes. While his walk to lift aloft the silverware may not have had the same swagger and pomp of a Chris Eubank ring-walk to the same song, it was still deeply satisfying for all concerned with Garforth Town to see them lift aloft the cup that will represent the highlight of their 2008/09 season.
The performance really was ‘better than all the rest’ this season! A closely contested game with the Conference chasing Bradford ended goalless after regulation time, and a Garforth opener after over 100 minutes of play was immediately cancelled out with a scruffy Avenue equaliser. Penalties it was, and despite holding an advantage at 4-4 with one penalty to go, Bradford fluffed it, and Renshaw’s ‘sudden death’ strike was followed by another pitiful Avenue effort that saw Garforth emerge from the nail biting finale as the victors.
The final played out thus…
The game began with an initial feeling out process, where neither side claimed the ascendancy. In midfield, Duncan Williams tried to thread several through balls through, and was clattered for his efforts. Mark Piper, the Unibond’s only southerner, tried his luck with an early effort that did not have the power to trouble the opposing shot-stopper.
After twenty minutes, a neat passing exchange saw Duncan in an advantageous position, and he curled his shot just over from 18 yards. Minutes later he played a dangerous through ball to brother George that was well intercepted.
With no further clear cut opportunities to score in the first, Garforth replaced George Williams after a solid display with Greg Kelly for an added attacking verve. The substitute quickly tried his luck, angling for a shot that was cut wide. Ten minutes later he came closer – latching onto a lofted through ball from Duncan and lobbing the goalkeeper. Sadly, the ball veered off target, but Garforth were clearly pressing the game now.
An untimely Bradford lunge saw Town awarded a free kick near the dugout, and Nathan Kamara’s high drive eluded all defenders, with Lee Connor mere inches from making contact 8 yards from goal.
Bradford fashioned a rare chance – a low drive was saved by Luke Gibbons, and the resulting rebound was somehow fluffed miserably by the over-eager attacker.
After ten more minutes of Garforth trying to break the Bradford back-line down through Kelly on the left, Hayward on the right and Williams in the middle, another lofted ball looked to have gotten through, yet Kelly was taken down when through on goal. No punishment was meted out.
The final great chance that the Miner’s had in regulation time was through a Nathan Kamara long ball to Andy Hayward. The Predator has had his shooting boots on in this competition, but was unable to score his penultimate chance in it, slashing wide. A well worked free kick a minute later in stoppage time was headed over, to ensure the nail-biting scenario of EXTRA TIME.
Extra Time
Garforth players did not flag next to those of the possibly soon-to-be full-time professional outfit, and in fact took the lead. Unfortunately, Adam Clarke’s night ended prematurely, as he went over awkwardly on his ankle. Simon ‘Clough’ord himself came on to stretcher his player off.
Things soon lightened up from our perspective – a cross into the Bradford box was met toweringly by Renshaw, and his Barnsley compatriot Hayward was on hand to CONVERT to send Garforth’s vocal support into rapturous celebration.
They were a sweet three minutes. Bradford equalised with a goal similar to their closest chance in the second half. A scruffy rebound effort. Say no more.
Garforth next had a goal disallowed ostensibly for offside, though the decision could be called questionable. Ball played in to Hayward, laid back to Greg, finishes, flag goes up for Greg who was behind Hayward….?
The second period of extra time did not see as much action, though Bradford clawed their way back into proceedings more, having been indisputably outplayed for nearly two hours. No goals – onto the nail-biting finale of PENALTIES.
Penalties
GREG
√
BRADFORD
√
PIPS
X
BRADFORD
√
DUNCAN
√
BRADFORD
√
DOM
√
BRADFORD
√
ANDY
√
BRADFORD
X
BRETT
√
BRADFORD
X
And so with the fifth Bradford penalty, Garforth were one kick away from losing a final that they deserved to win. And á la Man-ches-toh Uni’ed in last year’s Champions League final, the grim situation righted itself, as Garforth stayed composed while the final two penalties were blazed over, as nerves got to Bradford. And who else but the captain to step up in the short-lived ‘sudden death’ phase, to rocket a peach in off the crossbar á la Julian Dicks to mount the pressure on what would ultimately be the last kick of the game, the kick that sent the ball onto the roof of the clubhouse and Garforth into raptures.
The fans invaded the pitch to congratulate the players on their achievement, the squad namely Luke Gibbons, Nathan Kamara, Brett Renshaw, Lee Connor, Carl Fox, Mark Piper, George Williams, Wayne Harratt, Duncan Williams, Dominic Blair, Andy Hayward, Greg Kelly, Adam Clarke, Bryce Tiani, Nick Jagger and Joe Fella, all of whom earned a medal for their effort.
Well done lads.
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