Garforth 1 Bridlington Town 1

In the first quarter Town were pegged in their own half as Bridlington went on the offensive. On 9 mins Tyler Collishaw went close when his shot deflected off a defender and went wide. The Seasiders’ good passing game brought about another chance on 19 mins when Tom Fleming’s low drive from the edge of the box went narrowly wide.

Soon after though the away side put themselves ahead when Ombeni “Duka” Ruhanduka deceived Garforth keeper Ben Hunter with a spectacular strike from the edge of the box which curled (or even looped?) into the top corner.

The goal proved to be a wake up call and the Miners immediately set about getting themselves back in the game. On 23 mins Glen Wood tried a repeat of his wonder goal at Retford with a powerful free kick from distance which away keeper James Hitchcock was equal to, and Daniel Harris was inches away moments later when he picked up a poor clearance from Duka and found the post with a low strike.

Two minutes before the break Town were level. A super ball forward by Sam Akeroyd found Nick Black who raced on to beat a defender and finish well underneath Hitchcock.

The second half saw more of the same in a decent game of football. On 50 mins Ashley Allanson delivered to Benn Lewis at the far post who could only direct his header wide. The East Yorkshire side also showed a physical side to their game however with some strong challenges throughout the contest, in particular on Akeroyd on 54 mins which the ex-Harrogate Railway midfielder needed treatment for, the referee bizarrely giving a free kick the other way.

Just before then Luke Mangham was denied after good work down the wing by ever-lively sub Sinmi Oyebanji, his shot blocked by a defender.

Our best chance for a second came on 68 mins when Tawanda Rupere made a brilliant run down the right and picked out Black in space who did well to reach it but could only fire agonisingly over the bar. At the other end Hunter pulled off an excellent stop on 87 mins to block a powerful drive from Brid sub Jamie Reeson through a crowded box, in what was probably the visitors’ best opportunity of the second period.

In injury time some great work by Black in winning the ball back on the edge of the box and finding space to shoot sadly wasn’t rewarded when his shot went over. In the end neither side had done enough to earn three points, but the Garforth team can be proud of their display against a good side, some excellent attacking football was played and incredible ground covered by each man.