Garforth Town FC v Frickley Athletic

Recap

Garforth Town 3 Frickley 2

The Blues held off a highflying Garforth team for long periods but momentary lapses of concentration lead to our eventual downfall.

Garforth were in the ascendancy early on with Charlie Preston having to make a superb stop and Nathan Fletcher having to scurry back to clear. It was the 12th minute before The Azzurri could get out of their own half and create anything of note, Richard Collier’s shot from the edge of the box being well saved.

Another Garforth foray on the quarter of an hour mark saw them take the lead. A nippy move down the right allowed the winger to square the ball to a waiting teammate who put it away from 8 yards out.

However, The Blues responded in kind less than 2 minutes later. The Garforth keeper could only push away an attempt on goal and Elliot Owen pounced on the rebound to equalise.

Not long after, Garforth bundled the ball into the net but luckily it was a foul on the keeper so as you were. Then, in quick succession Chaz P made another decent save and a by now bloodied Owen blocked a fizzing drive at goal.

The rest of the half was a dogfight but one in which The Azzurri were more than holding their own.

Good work by Wade Ripley set up Big Al but he scuffed his shot. Next, a pinpoint pass from Josh Haigh found Lloyd Smith, but his shot was saved as the defender tried to swap shirts early. Penalties have been given for less. And just before the break, Lloydy chipped onto the roof of the net. HT 1-1.

Five minutes into the second half, Lloydy fed Ripley but the keeper blocked with his legs when it looked like Rip was odds on to score.
Then it all went a bit Pete Tong for a time. The defence failed to clear a 57th minute high, bouncing ball and the Garforth number nine hooked it over his shoulder to score.

11 minutes on and the home side were two up, Garforth hitting one from range that Chaz P could only palm into his net.

Chazzer then had to save a couple and watched a couple go narrowly wide.

In time added on, Kofi made the scoreline more respectable with the goal of the game, nay, the goal of any game, hitting a thunderbolt of a shot from 35 yards, straight into the top corner. Pick that out! FT 3-2.

We definitely weren’t outplayed but Garforth pressed hard and took their chances, clearly showing why they’re fourth in the table.

WEBMASTER MOTM – despite the defeat, no one’s had a bad game and all have battled hard. Standouts to these eyes were Lloyd Smith and Nathan Fletcher who were always in the thick of it. Elliot Owen took his goal with the reactions of a goal poacher and as for Kofi’s goal, that was in the top 5 goals I’ve ever seen live! However, the pick of the bunch was Wade Ripley and he takes The Glitterball. He ran all afternoon and on another day could’ve got himself on the scoresheet as well. Right on, Rip!

TWITTER POLL MOTM – Similarly, Wade Ripley takes it from Lloydy, Elliot Owen and Fletch. Thanks to all who voted.

196 through the gate with a very impressive SESKU contingent. We thank you for your continued wonderful support.