Garforth 2 Maltby Main 5

Few could’ve predicted what was to unfold in a first 20 mins in which Town had most of the possession. Nick Black was unlucky not to score on 12 mins after receiving the ball from a Luke Mangham corner and seeing his shot cleared off the line.

In more good play from the two attackers three mins later Mangham made a mazy run and squared for Black who was denied from getting his shot away by a defender’s boot. A rare counter attack by Maltby on 18 mins ended in Michael Cuckson beating a couple of defenders but only managing a tame effort dealt with by Max Newbould.

On 19 mins Tawanda Rupere came within inches of putting us ahead when breaking clear on the right and shooting just wide of the far post.

The game completely changed however on 27 mins in bizarre circumstances, partly caused by the gusty conditions. A crossfield ball from Sam Akeroyd in the corner sailed inadvertantly towards goal, Newbould being forced to keep it out with his head. The ball fell to striker Brian Cusworth in space who had the simple task of rifling into the net. Jack McCarthy was replaced by Tim Robertson 34 mins in which seemed to affect our shape. The older and more experienced opponents clinically took advantage. Former Town man Liam Royles delivered a free kick into the box four mins later which Cusworth headed home for his second of the game.

Garforth were being given little time on the ball, but some good football on 41 mins gave us a route back into the game. Great work in the middle by Black saw him play in Rupere to beat Main keeper Ben Brunt with a cool finish.

Sadly only a couple of mins later the two goal cushion was restored when Cusworth’s low shot was parried by Newbould to Sam Jones who tucked away.

In a mad four minute spell the visitors wasted no time in wrapping up the points. Jones received the ball in midfield and found the net with a stunning strike into the corner which Newbould could do little about.

Town did a little better in the first part of the second half; Andy Hawksworth went close on 52 mins after winning the ball back and curling a shot just over the bar. In truth though the South Yorkshire side should’ve made it 5-1 when Royles whipped in a cross to the far post which an unmarked Cusworth could only turn wide from a few yards out.

The scoreline was brought back to 4-2 when a tireless Mangham made an excellent run down the left, his shot was parried by Brunt to Black who scored on his second attempt. Disappointingly once again we conceded immediately after scoring. To be fair though it was another fine goal from the visitors - Royles picking up the ball about 20 yards out and delivering an unstoppable strike past Newbould.

The visitors started to tire, allowing Garforth to step up again and try and make things respectable, although without really troubling Brunt in the Maltby goal. On 75 mins Rupere did well to hold the ball up for Mangham who could only fire wide.
For the visitors Royles had a half-shout for a penalty turned down on 73 mins when challenged in the box by Rupere, only to be booked for diving. Sub Ben Thornton (not the one who played for us a few seasons ago I’m informed) almost added a sixth when shooting across goal and wide a few mins later.

Akeroyd tried a shot from distance on 86’, bringing a routine save and in injury time a good chance saw Black receive the ball from Robertson but could only manage a tame effort easily dealt with by Brunt.

A deserved victory for Main, leaving the Miners to pick up the pieces ahead of two difficult away trips to Cleethorpes and Tadcaster in the coming week.