Garforth Town 0 - Halifax Town 1

21-9-09

Harold Brown asks the viewers ‘Who Gives You Extra?’ in the infamous Halifax bank advertisements on television, and ironically enough, tonight at the Genix Healthcare stadium in Garforth the other Halifax, Town FC, also had that little bit extra… in luck.

Garforth did not play badly – quite the opposite. There were several close chances, and the home side largely imposed their will on the visitors, despite the full time deficit. The Miner’s’ first early chance came from tenacious work in midfield from Craig Harding, who chased down a 50/50 ball and slid in to release Chris Ovington on the right. A dangerous dipping cross set up the lunging Greaves but at a stretch, and his contact sent the ball over the bar.

Greaves received a throw in soon after, with a quick turn and shot. The shot slid wide, but if a striker doesn’t shoot, he doesn’t score. Ovington was next, with a jinking run on the right which culminated with the new-boy cutting in to shoot across goal. The goalkeeper managed to parry it wide in a fingertips effort.

The only shot in anger during this first thirty minutes from a quiet Halifax came courtesy of an admittedly excellently taken free-kick from twenty-five yards. Morgan did well to save for the canary yellows.

Ovington tried to steer the ball into the path of Greaves, though the Halifax shot stopper was equal to it and came to intercept. Morgan cleared a backpass only for it to be headed back upfield, and Halifax came close to breaking the deadlock with the subsequent half volley. They almost had another bite at the metaphorical apple via a through ball up the wing, but Milton Turner darted over to win a 30/70 ball and clear the danger. Halifax did hit the crossbar, but only after the ref halted play for a foul. Thus ended the first half.

Garforth’s relative comfort and the ease with which they had dealt with an impotent Halifax attack thus far would be for nought, as the Plastic Wolverhampton Wanderers found the net ten minutes into the second period of play. The ball was played into Paul Whitehouse, who found space and shot from outside the box. He found the corner of the net, to the delight of an away bench now devoid of the blond muppet from last year.

Town responded with a handful of crosses, with the subsequent headers coming varyingly close to regaining parity in the scoreline. Greaves tried his luck with a shot that went wide, and slowly the confidence came back for the home players. The keeper for Halifax left his area to prevent a corner, and his poor clearance almost saw him lobbed from thirty yards and he hurtled back into position.

A ball to Thornton on the right found the striker in an expanse of space, as the attempted interception of an orange defender was mistimed. The chance was promising, but the cross was poor.

The same striker tried his luck with an overhead from an Ovington cross, but all in all it was to be ‘one of those nights’. A strong penalty claim for Garforth was ignored during the second half, and it is noteworthy that Halifax players dropped like flies crossing the motorway. On the plus side, Garforth’s last three performances have seen improvement, and with that ‘extra’ bit of luck, hopefully the Miner’s can start picking up some big wins. The next few games against Woodley, Prescott and Salford are winnable, and with three more good performances, Town can rock down to… Electric Avenue, and then we’ll take it higher.

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 0 - Farsley Celtic 2

28-7-09

East has met West for battle and conflict many times in history, from the twelfth century Mongolians sweeping westwards under Genghis Khan, to the Cold War and deterrence that encompassed the entire second half of the twentieth century. Tonight at the Genix, the east and west of Leeds met as two of the three biggest teams the city boasts went head to head in a pre-season friendly, with Garforth sadly succumbing to two first half goals from the visiting, triumphant western club.

Farsley quickly claimed the ascendancy with a scruffy and unsightly effort, and doubled their numerical advantage with a half-volleyed shot from a cross. Twenty minutes in, Garforth were facing an uphill task against their Blue Square Conference city neighbours.

This didn’t deter the Town players, who would visibly pick up their game. In particular towards the end of the half, new father Brett Renshaw relished the rain, sliding in to make several crunching tackles unflinchingly. Milton Turner did well to prevent a goal-scoring chance.

Garforth did muster several opportunities, as new strikers Darren Thornton and Neil Towler tried their luck with shots, a header was saved, and finally a bouncing ball somehow evaded every player as it travelled past, acrobatics be damned.

One Farsley attacker – mindful of the contingent of Brazilian Soccer Schools coaches in attendance – earned applause with a Cruyff turn and curled shot that sailed wide, and Farsley ended the half comfortably playing some neat and concise attacking football.

The second did not begin well for Garforth, as a highly questionable penalty was awarded to the away team, though Town shot-stopper assuredly saved the spot-kick and kept his team within reach of parity.

After a prolonged period with neat midfield play but no clear-cut chances, Garforth broke down the left and Thornton attempted to slide the ball under the Farsley goalkeeper. Though said shot-stopper saved well, the subsequent pirouette and scrabbling suggested that he did not make the save with a part of his anatomy he intended to use, and the sympathies of all went out to him.

Andy Hayward showed a veteran’s head with a good ball down the left channel, and it was latched onto and turned in. The resulting desperation challenge led to the just award of a penalty. It was blasted over. Two points. Metaphorically.

The final chance of the game also went to Garforth, as Hayward didn’t show a veteran’s head when he sent the ball sailing over. But it was a good performance against a Conference outfit, and local friendly rivals, and two promotions would be surely welcomed by the city of Leeds.

Garforth Town 3 - Woodley Sports 1

22-4-09

Visiting Greater Mancunians Woodley Sports may be called ‘The Steelmen’, but they were melted down pretty quickly by the Miner’s, as an imperious Garforth opening saw two goals flashed into the away goal courtesy of Greg Kelly and budding professional Duncan Williams.

The Chesterfield bound youngster started strongly, holding the ball up well, and earning Garforth their first chance early doors with an overhead effort that missed by inches. Andy Hayward, with another performance that belied his years, sent Williams scampering through minutes later, though the ball overran. And finally after quarter of an hour of pressure, Greg Kelly latched onto a bouncing ball upfield from Carl Fox to head past his man and direct a low volley past the keeper to claim the opening goal for his side.

Ninety seconds later the numerical lead was doubled, as Hayward received a pass to feet beautifully, lifting an incisive ball into Williams’ path for the midfielder to fire in a second goal.

By this point, it was reported that Greater Manchester no longer wanted Woodley, and by half time the team belonged to Cheshire again.

Hayward was hacked down savagely in front of goal, and this act of viciousness was followed by a similar mauling of the dangerous Williams mere seconds later. Sadly, a double penalty was not awarded. Hayward generously played the ball back to the goalkeeper from the spot, in the interests of sportsmanship and a more closely contested game.

A long ball played in to Hayward was fired wide, and the chance was Garforth’s final effort in a first half that they arguably controlled. The teams trouped in, for Garforth to receive further instructions and Woodley to lick their wounds.

The visitors from Cheshire started the second half with more vigour and venom, coming close twice in five minutes with a point blank header that was steered over, and a shot that Luke Gibbons did well to save.

Garforth would once take the ascendancy in the 60th, as Williams played in Graham Marchant who layed off Dominic Blair. The veteran winger placed a ball across the box, yet the Garforth attack were thwarted by a last ditch defensive header.

Williams showed great dexterity in evading several challengers, and when possession seemed lost, the tenacity of Mark Piper won it back. Williams embarked on a good run, though Marchant was unable to supply the finish.

An open goal chance was missed, and skimming over that one quickly, a subsequent play saw Mark Piper claim the ball forty yards from goal up the left channel, fly past the nearest defenders like Road Runner meep-meeps past that poor Wile E.Coyote, and square the ball precisely for Marchant to slot home for the most comfortable of 3-0 leads.

Woodley scored a consolation goal from a questionable corner with a header, but the end result was a solid win for the fans, and some fine attacking play shown in the penultimate home game of the season.

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.

Ossett Town 1 - Garforth Town 2

The travelling Miner’s earned a semi-final berth in the West Riding County Cup with a hard fought victory over the in-form Northern Premier League outfit Ossett Town, who have lost once in their last thirteen outings. A brace from Andy Hayward sealed the win, with a stunning 40yard strike sandwiched in between from Ossett’s Nathan Hay to enliven second half.

Man of the match Luke Gibbons suffered a first half bombardment on the Garforth goal, Ossett blitzkrieg that he survived like a wartime cockney to send the visitors into the second period with an excellent shot-stopping display. Crowd-pleasing saves in the 20th, 24th, 30th and 41st minutes kept Garforth in the game, and Town responded with a well-worked goal. A chipped free kick from Duncan Williams was flicked into Hayward’s path, and the veteran striker duly converted with a placed header.

While Garforth came close after an interchange between Greg Kelly and Hayward, and through a left footed effort from Wayne Harratt, Ossett proved adept at effectively shutting down Garforth attacks. The tables were turned in the second half, which undeniably saw the pugnacious visitors mount sustained pressure.

Nonetheless, a lightning bolt of a strike saw the hosts regain parity when Nathan Hay unloaded from distance. While the goal did not warrant the ridiculous noises one player made from the celebratory huddle, it was indeed a fine goal.

Greg Kelly almost put the Miner’s back in front with a blistering shot from 18 yards. The effort blazed just over and nearly decapitated one of the away fans behind the goal. Sadly, the shot produced neither the goal nor the always-entertaining spectator knockout.

A long period with no clear-cut chances ensued, though on 76minutes the indefatigable Fidel tried with a speculative effort. One Ossett defender barely made it past Fidel with a botched Maradona turn, which turned out to portent a bad omen for the hosts.

The 90th minute arrived, with a deadlock. Step up Ossett’s goalkeeper. A disastrous clearance fell straight to Garforth striker Andy ‘The Predator’ Hayward, who emphatically converted the late Christmas present to send Garforth into the semi-finals, with a deserved victory over a Northern Premier League team. The win takes Garforth’s record against teams from higher leagues to three wins, one draw and one loss from five cup ties. The win over Ossett is a fine winter boost, and next up are their neighbours Albion. War Garforth!

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.