Shaw Lane Aquaforce 3 Garforth 2

It was a game of much interest to followers of the top teams in the division, with a few fans of a certain Nottinghamshire club even becoming Garforth fans for the evening. Sadly it ended in another defeat for Graham Nicholas' young team, but they can take a lot of pride from their overall performance against the title-chasers.

In a blistering first half some good football down the right saw Luke Mangham test Shaw Lane keeper Ian Deakin after being set up by Nick Black just two mins in. Recently signed from Heanor, Deakin has become a familiar face to Garforth fans this season having featured in all three of our games against the Derbyshire side. Another familiar name provided the Ducks' first good chance a minute later, ex-Town defender Gary Stohrer making a run from deep and shooting just over the bar.

On 9 mins Lee Morris volleyed wide from the edge of the box and moments later some good play saw Matt Thornhill set up Darley Grant to also shoot wide of the post. A dangerous spell from the Ducks brought a first save of the game for Ben Hunter on 13 mins; diverting Morris' header wide. Eight minutes later Hunter was called in action to deny a powerful drive from Danny Frost.

The home side hadn't had all the possession though, and Town's front three of Tawanda Rupere, Luke Mangham and Nick Black gave the home defence a torrid time with their pace, pressing and trickery throughout the half. And on 22 mins some brilliant work on the left from Mangham created our opener - picking out Rupere in space just outside the box to fire home past Deakin. Two mins later and the same two players almost combined again to double our lead, but upon receiving the ball deep inside the area Rupere couldn't quite connect and Deakin was able to collect.

The hosts were dangerous from balls into the box and also from free-kicks. One awarded on 29 mins saw captain Sam Denton drive narrowly wide. Denton made no mistake however five mins later from Steve Istead's delivery from out wide, superby volleying into the top corner for the equaliser.

Ashley Preece almost gave The Miners the lead once again soon after. Excellent work by Black down the right ended in Preece shooting low from 25 yards; Deakin managing to keep it out of the bottom corner. From the resulting corner however (taken by Tim Robertson), Mangham did just that with a glancing header at the near post.

On 53 mins the Barnsley side restored parity again when Frost made a storming run forward, forced a save from Hunter before smashing home the rebound. Down at the other end Preece had another chance for a crucial goal and his first competitively of the season after Mangham did well to hold the ball up on the left but was denied by Deakin.

Hunter saved a fierce effort from Luke O'Brien on 62 mins before brilliantly denying Denton's free kick five mins later. Around this point Rupere received a couple of clatterings which went unpunished by referee Adam Burgess and had to be replaced by Spencer Lund. Jack McCarthy had also taken a knock, and harrying from Frost on 67 mins saw the striker win the ball from him and race forward to score with a powerful strike. His side now in front for the first time in the game.

Sadly the home's side's pressure had proved to be too much despite some organised defending and after that Deakin was never really troubled. The only real chance coming Garforth's way was from a short corner on 81 mins; Andy Hawksworth's effort from the edge of the box fizzing just wide. A fourth goal would have been pretty harsh nonetheless and it almost occurred five mins from time. Another Denton free kick which Hunter superbly dived low to turn wide. 3-2 was how it finished and the Ducks could breathe a sigh of relief.

And that ends Garforth's influence on the title race, our final two games of 2014-15 being mid-table battles against Pickering this Saturday and Athersley next.

Some excellent photos of the game can be found on White Rose Photos.