Garforth 1 Glasshoughton 1

Our neighbours Glasshoughton were the visitors yesterday to the Bannister Prentice Stadium as Paul Marshall's side pitted their wits against a fellow NCEL opponent after high-scoring wins over a trio of York Football League teams. Darren Holmes and Lee Vigars' young side finished 7th in Division 1 last season and will be looking to break into the promotion places this time around. The last meeting between the two clubs was also a pre-season friendly on Cedar Ridge on 27th July 2018, but was not a happy one for The Miners with Welfare running out 3-0 winners.

Town had the better of the chances first half, but somehow managed not to put any of them away. Before that though, Toby Wells made a good stop on 11 mins to deny Glasshoughton's number 9. On 16 mins Alex Burton volleyed over the bar after great work on the right by Joe Colley, then Lee Turner struck the post from Jack Lazenby's corner kick. Lazenby too saw the woodwork five minutes before the break with a low strike after some excellent passing football through the middle.

The opening goal finally came five minutes into the second half when a deflected shot found Sam Denton deep in the box who headed home for his first club goal. Shortly after Burton came close with a low shot across the far post when played in down the right.

A number of changes made on 55 mins seem to unsettle The Miners at least initially. Welfare's number 15 came close with a 30-yard free kick on 65 mins, but three minutes later a mix-up between goalkeeper and defender saw their number 7 nip in to shoot low into the empty net. The last ten minutes saw both sides denied a late winner; our triallist 'keeper kept out the visitors' number 7 on 82 mins, then down the other end Helmo Silva saw his effort cleared in the six yard box after a foray in from the right.

A good run-out for The Miners as we inch closer to the now-much delayed new season.

Town team: Wells, Leach, McGahen, Coupland, Lazenby, Denton, Marshall, Barkway, Colley, Turner, Burton. Subs (all used): Brown, Barker, Coulibaly, Silva, Tweddle, A. Triallist (GK), Mayall, Davison.