Garforth Town 1-2 Worksop Town

By Jonathan McGourty

Garforth suffered their first home defeat of the New Year despite a spirited performance against title challengers Worksop Town (by Samuel Bannister)

The game began on a bizarre note, when the linesman stopped play and asked a young Worksop photographer to take his Hi-Viz jacket off to avoid confusion with the Garforth backline!

In terms of events on the pitch, nothing major occurred until the opening goal in the 11th minute. Worksop were awarded a penalty, with Kyle Jordan sending Toby Wells the wrong way to make it 1-0.

Garforth’s first genuine chance came from a breakaway which saw Sean Hunter cutting inside and seeing a left-footed shot saved by David Reay. At the other end, James Beaston made an important block to deny Craig Mitchell.

Garforth Town 1-2 Worksop Town (09/02/2019) 06:21

Another chance for Town came on the half hour mark, when Declan Greene headed wide after a long Alex Low free kick. It was the start of a positive Garforth spell which culminated in an equalizer in the 40th minute. Dan Williams received the ball with his back to goal, before cleverly turning and getting in behind the Worksop defence. One on one with the keeper, Williams slotted home with ease to make it 1-1.

Worksop started the second half stronger and Wells was forced into a couple of early saves. The pick of the bunch was one to deny a long-range, left-footed effort from Steven Woolley, tipping the ball around for a corner.

The visitors’ pressure paid off just before the hour mark when they found themselves in front again. Matthew Sykes finished from a fairly tight angle to restore the Tigers’ advantage.

Substitute Helmo Silva went close for Garforth when the ball came out to him after a corner. However, the winger’s shot went just wide. As for the opponents, their next chance came when Wells stopped a diving header from a corner.

Garforth had a real go in the last 10 minutes or so, and the Worksop bench were begging the referee to blow the full-time whistle. The Miners had one more big opportunity before the end of the game though, when Lee Turner found Hunter with a cross. The striker’s effort agonizingly hit the post and fell wide.

It proved to be the last chance of the game, meaning Garforth fell to a first defeat in nearly a month. Next up is a different kind of challenge altogether, with the Miners travelling to face relegation-threatened Hall Road Rangers next Saturday. Town are yet to do the double over any team this season, so will be hoping to follow up the 4-1 win in the reverse fixture to put that record right.