Garforth 4 Liversedge 1

Town started with a stronger side than that seen in the recent cup games vs Frickley and Silsden. Dan Turley replaced Milton Turner at the back whilst starts were given to Andy Villerman, Ben Small and Oliver Hotchkiss. A new goalkeeper Jack Lonergan has been brought in to replace custodian Ben Higginson who will be away for a few weeks.

Town were happy to play a patient passing game in the initial stages, and overall this aspect of our play was much better than on Saturday, with Hotchkiss bringing some much-needed composure. However on 10 mins Liversedge almost got themselves ahead when the ball was played across the box from right to left, then back again to Jamie Wasley who’s shot found the side netting.

Three minutes later Town got themselves ahead. A Lawrance Hunter corner from the left caused the Sedge defence problems and Ben Small was on hand to slot home the loose ball.

Similar to the game in the last round against Silsden sadly the early advantage wasn’t to last long. On 16 mins a decent move down the right flank ended with Scott Driscoll finding space in the area to fire in past Lonergan.

The goal gave the NCEL Premier side confidence and now both sides were passing the ball around well. The more clear cut chances came to us though, mainly from the left flank. On 19 mins Paul Walker forced a save from Sedge keeper Daniel Knight. Hotchkiss was unlucky not to grab his first goal of the season when his curled effort from outside the box crashed off the angle. From a free kick on the right on 40 mins the ball came to Walker on the left who back-heeled to advancing defender Villerman but his shot went wide. Another corner from Hunter, this time on the right, on 44 mins was spilled by Knight but no Town player could take advantage.

Garforth came out the better side in the second half and continued to press for a second. A minute in, a cross from Walker found Hunter on the left but he seemed to get the ball caught under his feet. The pressure paid off on 49 mins when Villerman advanced up the left flank again and put in a superb ball into the box which Walker duly converted with an equally impressive diving header.

The visitors were restricted to two or three chances in the second period – the best one ironically came from a free-kick nearly on the half way line on 74 mins. Defender Cory Warkin tried his luck Beckham-style, his effort forcing a save from Lonergan.

On 76 mins The Miners extended their lead. A corner from the right into a crowded box caused a meleé which eventually saw Villerman heading home for his first ever goal in a yellow shirt. Confusion abounded at the time as the linesman had flagged for a foul on Knight, but referee Mark Dwyer thought otherwise and gave the goal.

Matt Mathers had come on as sub on 70 mins (for Hotchkiss) and the big striker was again making a nuisance of himself on the right. His harrying of Jerome White (?) was rewarded when the defender couldn’t hold onto the ball. Mathers duly went past him and delivered it to Adam Priestley in the area who’s shot beat Knight via a deflection.

A composed performance and in the end a comfortable win for Town after Saturday’s nightmare. Whilst some would argue cup football is a different kettle of fish to the league, hopefully the Garforth faithful can look forward to a similar display for the visit of Ossett Town on Sat.