Ossett Albion 2 - Garforth Town 1

Garforth could not do the double in Ossett this week, as a fine victory over NPL side Town was followed by a subsequent slip up to Albion in the league. A cold wind precluded effective high passes and affected play, and the Miner’s were unable to overcome neither the elements nor a home side who regained the lead immediately after Lee Connor’s equaliser.

Ossett earned two early corners, both of which showed the dangers of playing against the strong wind. Gibbons produced a good save in the 7th; palming the Ossett playmaker’s shot wide of his near post. Town tried to respond with balls played up the right channel, but the wind scuppered many of these attacks. The first moment of real penetrative play came from Garforth midfielder Duncan Williams, who claimed the ball on halfway and curled a swerving through ball for Andy Hayward, though the veteran goalscorer of mid-week could not latch onto it in time.

Moments later, indecision and the elements helped Albion take the lead. Ossett’s left fullback laid off Jason Bentley, who was allowed to approach the Garforth box before unleashing. The wind did the rest.

Undeterred, Town replied with more work from the right flank involving Rowan, Duncan and George Williams, Wayne Harratt and Dom Blair but to no avail. Balls played high into the Ossett area served only to highlight Neil Bennett’s adeptness as a forceful goalkeeper, showing us ‘The Superman Punch’ several times when denying the visiting attackers.

Brett Renshaw burst into the box from the right but was clearly brought down. Despite this, only a corner was awarded despite the Albion defender having never touched the ball.

The second half saw the sides nullify each other initially, and it was not until the 58th minute that a clear-cut chance was created. It would be Ossett who fluffed the one on one with Gibbons.

On 70, Carl Fox tried a lobbed effort from distance that Bennett was equal to. Only minutes later, Town earned corner after a period of pressure, and Lee Connor rose to toweringly convert the cross and regain parity for the visitors. Alas, only a hundred seconds elapsed before Town conceded a soft goal to Joseph Thornton, and the advantage was blown.

While the rest of the game belonged to Garforth, the points belonged to Ossett, whose sporting performance in the final fifteen resembled Eubank protecting a points lead in the 12th round. Bryce showed some dexterity on the left before cutting in and chipping Harratt through, though the big Barnsley man could not connect with his swivel and shot. Another saved shot led to a corner that Lee met once more, but this time a perceptive defender was able to clear from the goal line. Connor again met a corner minutes later, though the veteran centre back could only fire his header just over. Substitute Graham Marchant tried his luck with a shot on 88 following a midfield interchange with Bryce in what would be Garforth’s penultimate chance. Finally, when Renshaw’s header from yet another corner was cleared from the goal line in stoppage time, it was clear that Ossett would be a town of mixed fortunes for the Miner’s this week, who will look to rebuild at home next Saturday against Rossendale United.

Curzon Ashton 0 - Garforth Town 1 - Challenge Cup

A dominant, excellent performance saw Garforth return to winning ways in Greater Manchester, thoroughly outclassing the capable Curzon Ashton in an entertaining Monday night cup-tie.

The nature of the Town victory was all the more pleasing in that it was in such overwhelming fashion in a game littered with chances, most of which were for the visitors, though both sides played attractive football. Garforth threatened from the off, unleashing an immediate incisive attack when the industrious Jason St Juste beat his marker for pace – an omen of how the rest of the game would pan out – and fed Hotchkiss, whose through ball to the equally brilliant Dominic Blair almost led to a first minute goal. Soon after, St Juste would cause more problems, finding space to shoot though shot stopper David Carnell would prove equal to the effort. The first quarter of an hour would close out with five further minutes of Garforth pressure, most of which stemmed from Blair and St Juste from both wings and channels.

Andy Rowan tried his luck with a well-saved shot, and the subsequent Curzon attack was dealt with by a last ditch Brett Renshaw tackle. On the half hour mark, St Juste outmanoeuvred Curzon’s Michael Russell twice on the left, exchanging passes with Rowan en route to shooting at goal. Then, the proverbial moment of Garforth controversy when Dom Blair – through on goal – committed the wicked crime of diving, the sinner. Actually no, he was clipped en route to a mano e mano with Carnell, though no penalty, red card, yellow card, pink green polka dot card, trump card, student id card, screen actors guild SAG card nor any alternate form of card was awarded to the offender.

The fact that Michael Norton almost scored for Curzon immediately after this incident did not help matters.

Another period of pressure followed, with crosses being rained in at the Curzon rear guard, Blair St Juste et al basically having their way with their markers. One play saw Dom released into space, electing to lay off Hotchkiss who unselfishly laid off St Juste in turn who was unlucky to hit the post with his fiercely struck effort, Carnell well beaten. The ball was recovered, and a Jason cross was flicked by Rowan to Blair, whose volley would have earned Town the lead had it been placed anywhere else in the goal but at the keeper. Needless to say Garforth ended the half in the ascendancy.

So, to the second. Hotchkiss played a neat 1-2 with Blair (who was taken out in the process) and fired in a low shot that once more struck the post. Garforth are now all too familiar with UniBond woodwork. Jason skinned his man (again) and cut a low cross across goal, though some good covering allowed Curzon to clear. Now, Curzon upped the ante and produced some clear chances to score, though Renshaw, Lee Connor, Ross Wilkinson and Carl Fox all defended aggressively and effectively.

On 70’, a good passing interchange saw play spread wide right by Wayne Harratt, back left by Connor and culminated with St Juste unleashing a swerving shot from 25 yards that Carnell managed to catch.

Soon after Wayne attempted what could kindly be referred to as a ‘dipping shot from distance’.

With ten minutes to go, Rowan – who worked tirelessly with St Juste and Blair in harrying defenders – chased down one such Ashton player and tackled him, before haring after the loose ball and keeping possession to cross for Jason, whose shot was blocked, in a move that pleased fans and staff for its persistence and endeavour.

They saved the best ‘till last. Curzon worked some clear chances that were snuffed out, before Garforth broke down the right with Dom. The youngster did not heed the contingent of away fans – six men – screaming at him to run towards goal, instead electing to cross high over the stranded Carnell brilliantly for his partner in crime, Jason St Juste, to nod home.

This claimed entry to the next round of the Challenge Cup, and marked a second emphatic, victorious performance in this competition. Curzon played some attractive football and were worthy foes, but Town on this night were excellent throughout, and deservedly won.