Poor showing: Garforth Town head coach Graham Nicholas said Knaresborough Town showed more desire in the 2-0 League Cup defeat
Garforth Town head coach Graham Nicholas admitted that the best team won in his side’s Toolstation NCEL League Cup third round defeat to Knaresborough Town.
The Miners were simply not at the races on a cold night at Wheatley Park and Knaresborough only needed an early Steve Palfrey goal and a second half penalty from David Thomas to win.
Garforth were out-muscled and out-fought by their Division One opponents and Nicholas gave his players a long debriefing before giving his verdict to Sports Performer on the display.
“They took their first goal well and I think for the first 15 minutes it took us a while to get into the game,” he said.
“We lacked a little bit of self-belief, but you could see that when players don’t play together on a regular basis, they don’t have the communication and positioning.
“After 20 minutes we came into it and we were just looking for a goal. But, we didn’t have a clear-cut chance. We increased our possession and looked dangerous when we increased our tempo.
“The goal never came and to concede the penalty was obviously sloppy. Knaresborough came with a fighting spirit. They were well-organised and they took their chances.
“They deserved it. You could how much it meant to them at the final whistle and that’s the difference. That’s what I was saying in there (in the dressing room), how many people want to play for the club? How many people are passionate?
“That’s what we need to change. They know that performance was not good enough and I’m looking to build for next season. If they want to be part of that then they need to improve.”
Nicholas had previously stated that he wanted to win the League Cup, but his hopes were in doubt as early as the third minute. After receiving a pass from Byron Littlefair, former Harrogate Railway striker Steve Palfrey turned his defender and sent a fine low shot pass debutant Max Newbould into the bottom corner.
Garforth, who created few chances, continued to move their heads over the edge of a cliff. Fraser Lancaster was unlucky with an attempt that flashed wide, while Newbould also had to make a couple of good saves to keep the score at a one-goal deficit.
For the second half Nicholas introduced Sam Helliwell and Nick Black in bid to rescue the situation, but the pair did not little as the 45 minutes unfolded.
The game was almost 60 seconds into the half as Lancaster nearly found the bottom corner with a low drive that Newbould pushed for a corner.
The inevitable did eventually come on 68 minutes. Garforth captain Andy Hawksworth fouled Littlefair and referee Jimmy Price, one of the best officials in the area, had an easy decision to make. Thomas stepped up and easily converted the spot kick.
Knaresborough had further chances to increase score-line, but Garforth managed to keep the score at 2-0 before referee Price put the home side out of their misery.
The reaction of the Knaresborough players, management, officials and fans told the whole story.
Garforth Town: Newbould, Royles, Robertson, Hawksworth (captain), Smith, Hilton, D’Antonio, McMurrough (Black HT), Martin-Wyatt (Oyebanji 66), Akeroyd (Helliwell HT), Lyle. Sub unused: Woodhall.
Knaresborough Town: Murau, Thomas, Radcliffe, Leneham, Dueran, Gray (captain) (Wilson 59), Eustance (Hobson 58), Bradley, Palfrey (Stansfield 83), Lancaster, Littlefair.
Referee: J Price (Bradford)
Ref Rating: 9/10
Attendance: TBC
Man of the match: Steve Palfrey (Knaresborough Town)