Pitchero

Bridlington Town

Garforth Town

Full time

S Hunter (3'), S Barker (27'), C Marshall (39', 53'), M Simpson (64')

ti 22 loka 19:45 - Toolstation Northern Counties East League - Premier Division Attendance 173

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Highlights

Selection

League round up

Bridlington Town 4 Garforth 5

By Andrew Marsh

Goals from Hunter, Barker, Marshall (2) and Simpson gave The Miners a tremendous 5-4 win over 6th place Bridlington in a thrilling contest.

Returning midfielder Charlie Marshall went straight into the first eleven to fill the shoes of the departed Adam Priestley and Aiden Kearsley made a first start of the season replacing an unavailable Dan Williams.

Any worries over a depleted side and the loss of star player Adam Priestley over the weekend were blown away within two minutes as Paul Marshall's side took an early lead. Great work down the right from Sam Barker fed Mark Simpson who unselfishly squared to Sean Hunter to apply a low finish past Brid keeper James Hitchcock.

Sadly it was to last only three minutes as the home side turned the tables. They were awarded a penalty when Kearsley fouled Lewis Dennison; top scorer Joe McFadyen stepped up and confidently despatched to level the scores. On eight minutes Garforth fell behind when McFadyen weaved his way through defenders deep in the box and slotted coolly past Wells.

Many would've predicted Brid to go on and take control of the game, but the tigerish Miners were having none of it and went on to play some of their best football of the season so far. The Seasiders' defence struggled to contain the midfield trio of Barker, Marshall and Joe Colley who created chance after chance. Barker was unlucky when his 25 yard effort came off the top of the crossbar, before Colley shot narrowly wide from just outside of the area. The pendulum was to swing back in our favour on 27 mins when Denton forced the ball home after Hitchcock parried Hunter's ball across the box. A richly deserved goal for the youngster who continues to impress.

Lee Turner was similarly unfortunate to teammate Barker when his long range effort came off the angle of bar and post, Brid managing to clear the loose ball. It was 3-2 Garforth though on 39 mins when Denton squared to Marshall who, amid a flailing defence, sidefooted home for his first competitive goal for the club. Hunter came close to increasing our lead moments later when putting a low shot just beyond the far post.

The drama didn't end there as against the run of play, the visitors were back in it three minutes before the break. McFadyen put clear Josh Greening to round Wells and slot into the empty net.

Billy Logan was well-placed only two minutes into the second half to give his side the lead once more, but could only blaze over the bar from Dennison's delivery. Again The Miners came back, and gave themselves a lead which was to prove decisive. Marshall scored his second of the game on 53 mins when racing clear to fire past a stranded Hitchcock at the near post. On 64 mins it was 5-3 when Denton's flick-on set up Simpson to lift the ball over Hitchcock and into the net.

The Seasiders hit back as Town visibly tired, and there were some big performances at the back to hold on to all three points. Wells claimed Lewis Taylor's far-post header, before the home side were awarded another spot-kick when James Beaston brought down substitute and player-manager Brett Agnew. McFadyen took the ball once again and completed his hattrick, sending a furious Wells the wrong way to set up a tense finale.

In an agonising eight minutes of injury time (the source of which only known to the referee), further chances followed for the home side but none to test Wells. Down the other end Simpson went close when played in by Denton; Hitchcock denying him at close range.

A fully deserved win for Paul Marshall rejuvenated side, and a seven points from a possible nine. What a difference a fortnight makes.

Town are back at the Bannister Prentice Stadium on Saturday when league leaders Staveley are the visitors (kick-off 3pm).