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!

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.

Trafford FC 0 - Garforth Town 5

“Terminated”.

So spoke Arnold Schwarzenegger in T2 after destroying his hapless opponent, the T-1000. So too may Garforth utter similar sentiments after the complete and utter annihilation of capable Mancunians Trafford FC at their own Shawe View Stadium, producing another masterclass performance to sweep aside their adversaries in an entertaining UniBond league fixture.

Fast and Furious was another film that sprung to mind, as the title epitomised the start Garforth made in taking the lead in the fourth minute. A throw in caused confusion, and Andy Hayward managed to lay off Jason St Juste, presenting the former Southampton man with the easiest of finishes to earn an early lead for the visiting side.

Trafford appeared vulnerable to balls played into the box, and Garforth nearly exposed this once again when Duncan Williams almost scored from a header, forcing a corner. The youngster’s resulting curled effort was almost converted by midfielder Wayne Harratt, and the home side were undoubtedly on the ropes.

Shortly thereafter, Oliver Hotchkiss would flick the ball over the head of his marker and feed St Juste, whose subsequent burst through the centre led to Hayward being granted a free shot at goal, though his placed effort was saved.

Many players performed well today, but in the latter stages of the first half none caught the eye more than Carl Fox and Ross Wilkinson, both of whom defended brilliantly with well-timed challenges breaking up Trafford attacks.

On the brink of half time, the Miner’s claimed a deserved second through a Hotchkiss free kick that was met toweringly by Lee Connor. His pin point header again gifted St Juste the easiest of close range finishes, and Town now had a strong lead to hold going into the second period.

Williams caused the first of many problems for Trafford in the second, teasing a full back with trickery before cutting inside and firing a shot towards goal. Though the effort was blocked, Duncan reclaimed possession and elected to cross for Greg Kelly, who suffered the same fate though there were scattered shouts for handball in this incident.

Mere minutes later, a passing interchange between Kelly and Hotchkiss saw the Mackem man curl a cross towards Andy Hayward, whose flicked header was almost met by the onrushing Williams before the Trafford shot stopper claimed the ball.

Williams almost claimed an individual goal of the season award on the hour mark, unleashing a series of kick ups on the edge of the box before attempting an audacious overhead lobbed finish that nearly caught the goalkeeper off guard.

Ten minutes later Duncan would claim his goal, when a throw in yet again caused problems and he was able to capitalise on a ricochet to fire home for the third.

Williams would nearly add to his tally when latching onto a Hotchkiss lifted pass he blazed over from 18 yards. Needless to say, by this stage the chances of a mauling were looking increasingly likely.

Hotchkiss tried his luck with a shot preceded by a mazy run through several Trafford players, and narrowly missed. Then on 90 minutes, a Wilkinson ball up field fell kindly for late substitute Dom Blair to latch onto, and the Town man rounded the goalkeeper. Despite the ball straying a tad wide, Blair composed himself and unselfishly lifted a delicate curl over the Trafford no.1 for Hayward to volley home in the net for Town’s fourth.

The icing on the cake occurred in stoppage time, when a Hotchkiss ball was steered into the bottom right corner via the head of Captain Renshaw, who must be proud of his privat… erm, teammates, after such a dominant, ruthless display.

Garforth are next in action on Tuesday night away at Frickley, and given the recent performances in the Challenge Cup, not to mention today, no one will want to miss it. I know that… I’ll be back.

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.