Jarrow Roofing 1 - Garforth Town 0

12-9-09

The Football Association Cup is often spoken of with reverence and misty eyed wonder as the giant killings of the past and classic cup memories flood the minds of the nostalgic. There was little of this mystical romance in the northeast today, as Garforth dominated a team of natural athletes only to lose by a goal due to impotent finishing. And how ironic it was, that it would be Jarrow vs. The Miner’s in a crusade to qualify for the cup! Sadly, Jarrow are the ones marching on.

Jarrow fired the first shot in anger at their Yorkshire guests, a dipping drive from distance, but that would be as good as it got for the plastic Geordies until the claimed the match-winning second half strike. Duncan Williams curled an excellent through ball from his own half into the path of striker Tom Greaves, though the forward could not find the finishing touch. It was to epitomise the jarrowing experience that Garforth had all day. (Budum-ch)

Williams, Nathan Kamara and Milton Turner fired several balls upfield, testing the particularly chiselled Jarrow defenders, and a handful of semi-chances fell to the visitors. Duncan embarked on a weaving run from the left wing, but ultimately came short in his ambitious attempt to fashion a clear shot at goal. Minutes later he almost set up with a run and through ball, but once more the opportunity went begging. Jarrow’s only other crack at goal in the first half hour came from a criminally awarded free kick that was curled well wide by a lefty.

Darren Thornton showed good pace off the mark when he left his man for dead on the left wing and curled in a cross. Unfortunately, nobody took the chance on it and Greaves could not quite latch onto it, though it only seemed a matter of time before the yellow’s found the net.

Thornton next entertained us with a tactical debate with the Town management, as the referee blew for the first of what would be several extended periods of non-play in both halves. Why is your guess, I haven’t a clue. After this break, Liam Ormsby tried his luck with a shot following a passing interchange and layoff. The Jarrow shot stopper saved well.

Garforth did find the net before the first half climax, as a rebounding header was converted by Ormsby, but the flag was raised for an impeachment. Town would hit the woodwork once more as Greaves headed a cross against the Jarrow bar in the last noteworthy play of the opening period.

The second half took on the same format, though with both players and fans now getting increasingly frustrated and restless. The ball was worked to Greaves, who angled and shot, though Jarrow numero uno saved again. Kamara burst forwards from defence in a rush of adrenaline and evaded challenges well, until a well-timed slide sent him flying through the air. Ormsby picked up the loose ball and tried a shot. By now Jarrow were hanging on.

More long balls tested the now tiring Balti kings of the JR back line, as Garforth entered their most comfortable period in the game. Passing interchanges were completed with ease, yet Town still could not find the back of the net. It was to be one of those days.

Following Town’s best chance of the game, another one on one that was skied, sod’s law struck. A Jarrow break upfield caught Garforth unawares, and when a ball into the box saw the recipient fortuitously ride a challenge, it was a simple conversion to sink the spirits of the Yorkshire visitors.

missed a one on one. His subsequent chip was cleared off the line. Captain Brett Renshaw was ludicrously sent off for ‘dissent’. The Jarrow defenders hit the red, cardio wise. Milton Turner came close with a header. Duncan was tripped with the sure-fire penalty not awarded to Town, which the official later claimed was due to ‘no Garforth players appealing’. Duncan was fouled, shrugged his assailant off and was booked. Kamara tried his luck with a long shot. The End.

The magic of the cup. Jarrow’s cup crusade continues, and The Miner’s fall. Football can be a funny game.

Garforth Town 1 - Woodley Sports 1

5-9-09

Gallant Garforth gave Woodley a drubbing in a one-sided score draw at the Genix Healthcare Stadium. Despite creating the best chances, and dominating general play, Town could not pull the trigger on the goal scoring revolver and the Greater Mancunian visitors escaped with a share of the points.

The best chance early doors came for striker Tom Greaves, who tried to capitalise on a goalkeeping fumble but was denied. Frank Zalo chased down a loose ball through and managed to keep it in play, setting up a cross that Duncan Williams headed narrowly wide. Other half chances were fashioned, and the first thirty minutes belonged entirely to Garforth, the only side with attacking intent.

Woodley’s closest chance came from a Bentley-esque effort, a forty-yard volley that almost embarrassed the home keeper and sailed wide of the post. This goal scoring opportunity was enterprising, but rare.

In the later stages of the first, Man of the Match Nathan Kamara played an excellent ball through diagonally to the right channel for Greaves, but Ben Connett was equal to the striker’s slid effort. The last near effort came from Darren Thornton, who persevered after a botched free kick to fashion a position to shoot, though he could not muster a powerful enough strike to trouble the opposing shot stopper.

After half time entertainment courtesy of the Leeds Brazilian Soccer School, a second half began that did not see the same number of good chances, yet ironically contained both goals that decided the match. Duncan Williams could not finish a move culminating from a deflected cross, and Greaves came close with a later header that flashed wide. The pivotal moment of the game came when both the exceptionally tall linesman and the referee failed to spot a blatant push which led to an unmarked Woodley forward slotting the ball home. Football can be cruel sometimes…

However, God’s benevolent existence was proved by the just equaliser that followed, when a corner and lay off was converted well by Milton Turner from 25 yards. That great finish earned Garforth a point, but it could and really should have been more. Garforth next play at home when they welcome Radcliffe Borough on Tuesday September 15th, when kick-off will be at 7:45pm.