Garforth’s unbeaten run came to an emphatic end as they lost 7-0 to Pickering.
The first goal came from an inswinging corner on just five minutes, with Ryan Blott getting the decisive final touch.
Five minutes later the lead was doubled, as Joe Danby rose at the far post to head home after a cross from the right wing.
Garforth had a great chance to get back in the game as Calum Ward played the ball to Mark Simpson, but the striker’s left-footed shot went just wide.
Pickering made it 3-0 with a goal very similar to their second. Again, Danby headed in at the far post, leaving Garforth with a mountain to climb after just 17 minutes.
Another chance presented itself for Garforth, but it just did not fall their way. Pickering’s Matty Turnbull’s attempted clearance ended up hitting his own crossbar, but no Garforth players could follow through and score.
Pete Lawrie was then called into action to save a header from Blott, after a trademark Pickering cross from the right.
Two minutes later, Blott did get his second goal of the afternoon. As the ball came to him, he turned and lobbed Lawrie to give the hosts a fourth.
Centre back Jack Lazenby made a block to deny another Pickering attack, after Garforth had lost possession from their own throw in deep in their own half.
At the other end, Luke Kitson delivered an inviting cross, but Ward’s diving header went wide. Even so, the striker was adjudged to have been offside.
In the second half, Garforth made a more positive start, with Ward getting the first shot away. Pickering keeper Charlie Andrew, though, was equal to it.
On 55 minutes, Pickering made it five, courtesy of Turnbull. Once again, a corner was the undoing of Garforth, as the centre back headed in.
Dan Coupland, filling in at right back for the injured Aiden Kearsley, then had a shot saved from a wide angle.
Matthew Savage, making his full debut for Garforth, set up Mitch Hamilton, who saw his shot blocked.
Next, Lawrie had to stop a quick long-range effort from Pickering full back Frank Belt.
On 78 minutes it was 6-0, as Pickering’s Billy Logan tucked the ball the other side of Lawrie.
The final goal came four minutes later, as a run from Logan saw two Garforth defenders fall to the floor. Once Logan had made it into the box, his teammate Tom Claisse was able to smash the ball home.
In stoppage time, Ward couldn’t connect with Lee Turner’s ball across to the far post, so there was to be no consolation for Garforth.
It was a heavy defeat for Garforth, and while the conditions may have played a part, Town just weren’t good enough. They will be hoping to prove it was just an off day by putting in a better performance in the next game, away at Maltby Main on Wednesday.