Carnforth went into Saturday`s game against Kirkby Lonsdale needing to get their season back on track after a run of disappointing defeats, and things were not looking too promising in the build up to the game with no fewer than TEN first team squad members unavailable for varying reasons!! So six members of the reserves were drafted into the squad, which in turn resulted in the reserve fixture being cancelled.
There was starts for Robert and Aaron Hockham as well as James McCardie in centre midfield. Andy Taylor was still confident that the team was good enough to win the game and showed the importance of having a big squad!
Rangers started well with Gorton having the best of the early chances when a cross from the left on 8 minutes from Garwood saw Gorton with a free header 7 yards from goal which he put the wrong side of the post. Carnforth were playing some good football, and the central midfield duo of P.Taylor and J.McCardie were dominating this area, and with the impressive and composed Glennie and Cheal behind them Rangers looked comfortable.
Garwood was causing Kirkby plenty of problems down the left wing, with his dazzling footwork, but Carnforth just couldn't unlock the Kirkby defence.
Rangers nearly paid the price on 32 minutes when R.Hockham who was having an excellent game at left back in his first start for the first team for 18 months, lost his concentration and played a pass back to Price in the Carnforth goal that was never going to reach him, Kirkby centre forward Hartley latched on to the ball but Price narrowed down the angle and made a terrific save to deny Kirkby from taking an undeserved lead.
On 37 minutes the hard working McCardie went up for challenge with ex-Rangers player Pennington and was caught by a stray elbow in the mouth, McCardie was taken off and went straight to hospital as it was obvious he would need stitches, Crabtree replace him going up front alongside Benson, and Gorton dropped into midfield alongside P.Taylor.
The second half saw much of the same with Carnforth doing all the attacking, but the Kirkby defence was standing firm. Garwood had an excellent chance to give his side the lead on 76 minutes when he picked up a loose ball on the halfway line he beat three men and with only the keeper to beat he lost his footing and put his shot into the side netting.
It looked like one of those days and that a draw was on the cards. Until on 82 minutes a delightful through ball from Gorton found Garwood who saw the run of Crabtree to his right and played him the ball, Crabtree made no mistake and cooley slotted the ball past the keeper to give Rangers the lead and win them the game much to the delight of the Carnforth faithful!
Carnforth saw the final 8 minutes out and gained a much needed win that moves them back up to third in the table. An excellent confidence boosting result, and some great performances especially by the lads who came in from the reserves who must take great credit with the way coped with the big step up in class.
Next week Carnforth will be at home to Morecambe Royals and will be hoping for more of the same!