Garforth 3 Eccleshill United 1

Town started the game strongly with our first chance coming after only two mins - triallist Josh Moore shooting over the bar after good work by Jassim Alali.

On 12 mins Eccleshill's number 9 brought about Ben Hunter's first save of the game with a low shot from 20 yards at his near post. Their number 7 was causing problems on the right and seven mins later fashioned a chance after a decent run into the box but blazed over the bar. Sorry I'm having to use numbers again due to lack of an Eccleshill teamsheet.

The Eagles's number 9 probably should've given his side the lead on 30 mins after taking advantage of a slip from Alali to find himself one on one with Hunter but the keeper got down well to deny him. Three mins later Garforth had the ball in the net when a great delivery from Tim Robertson was headed in by Moore but the offside flag was raised.

On 35 mins though a moment to forget for Ross Shelton gifted our visitors the lead. A pass across the field 30 yards from goal was played inadvertently to Andy Cooper who spotted Hunter away from his goal and fired into the unguarded net.

The visitors were having the better of the play towards the end of the half, although Town did create one more chance through Curtly Martin-Wyatt seconds before half time. An excellent run by Sam Jones ended in him putting the striker through to round the keeper but sadly his shot flashed past the far post.

Defender Simon Rodgers almost had his first goal in a Town shirt on 49 mins, his header from Jones' corner saved by Eccleshill's sub keeper. Captain Andy Hawksworth was unlucky not to equalise on 61 mins when Luke Mangham's delivery was dropped by the goalkeeper, his powerful shot from the loose ball blocked on the line by a defender. Three minutes later however it was 1-1 after Martin-Wyatt was fouled in the box by the Eagles' number 5 and a penalty awarded. Up he stepped to continue his impressive pre-season form and calmly despatch into the bottom corner.

On 66 mins Hunter had to be alert to tip over Cooper's powerful drive over the bar.

Within five mins of replacing Martin-Wyatt, sub Mark Simpson had his first goal of the season on 70 mins. Brilliant work by Moore down the left saw him pick out Simpson at the far side to slot home from a narrow angle for 2-1. And on 77 mins it was three when a long ball forward from Robertson fell to Jones who set up Moore to smash home from about 20 yards.

Eccleshill's number 8 almost reduced the arrears from a free kick just outside the box on 83 mins that went just wide of the post. It was Garforth creating most of the chances late on though. Simpson made a jinking run forward on 87 mins and saw his shot saved, and shortly after he was put through by Sinmi Oyebanji to get the better of the Eagles' number 2 but saw his shot travel the wrong side of the far post.

A spirited display to finish off our pre-season, next up is the big kick-off a week on Saturday against Rainworth. Up the Miners!

Team: Ben Hunter, Andy Hawksworth (c), Tim Robertson, Jassim Alali, Simon Rodgers, Ross Shelton, Sam Jones, Luke Mangham, Curtly Martin-Wyatt, Josh Moore, Daniel Harris. Subs: Spencer Lund, Mark Simpson, Sinmi Oyebanji, Daniel Pett, Dominic Smith.