Attacking midfielder Luke Managham played the second half of Garforth’s 4-1 defeat at Cleethorpes in goal and kept a clean sheet
If you’re a reader of Twitter, you may be aware of how Garforth Town’s 4-1 Toolstation NCEL Premier Division defeat at Cleethorpes Town unfolded last night.
You may have read about every nut and cranny from the two sides making a tentative start to the second half or to a pull back that evaded everyone.
But while Cleethorpes did deserve to win, Garforth had plenty of positives to take from the defeat – especially considering that attacking midfielder Luke Mangham was their goalkeeper in the second half.
Garforth have hit a rut in October. Graham Nicholas’ have yet to win this month and have shipped 13 goals in the last three games.
Key players such as Nick Black were missing for the trip to Cleethorpes and the performance wasn’t bad in parts, but the margin of the defeat will rankle.
Garforth were undone by clinical finishing. Cleethorpes were shooting from all angles and Louis Grant rattled the crossbar inside the opening 90 seconds.
An Alex Flett cross was lashed home by Grant on 13 minutes for the opening goal, but the floodgates did not open initially.
The home side were troubled by a Chris Simpkins free kick and a Tawanda Rupere strike which was deflected over the crossbar.
The night soon became one to forget for Miners goalkeeper Max Newbould. A long range Grant attempt found the bottom corner and Cleethorpes were suddenly beginning to pull away with the points.
However, before people think that Cleethorpes cruised – that was far from the case. Mangham had an effort batted away and Jack McCarthy was unlucky when his header cleared off-the-line.
Garforth were finished off by two quick-fire goals on the half-hour mark.
Yet another long effort beat Newbould – this time from Marc Cooper.
Newbould was then definitely at fault for the fourth goal after pulling out of clearing the ball which Cooper to score with a tap-in.
Garforth got their deserved goal with minutes remaining of the first half. Their best player on the night Rupere made an excellent run down the right and his cross was converted by dual-registered Gainsborough Trinity player Connor Johnson.
Nicholas made two changes at half-time with the injured Newbould being replaced by Mangham between the sticks the most notable.
Mangham was called into action straight away after having to deny Cooper his hat-trick.
Garforth themselves had chances. Rupere had left-back Danny Grant in his pocket all night and he supplied former Frickley striker Joel Barnett with an opportunity.
Barnett looked set to score until Brad Beattie made an excellent save.
Garforth were the better side until the closing stages when Cleethorpes looked likely to score a fifth goal.
Grant, another player who could have had a hat-trick, wasted the most clear-cut chance with a glaring miss from close range – ensuring that positive that Garforth could take was that Mangham kept a clean sheet.
Cleethorpes Town: Beattie, Mascall, D Grant, Wheeler (Emson 91), Heward, Hanslip, Barlow (Richardson 65), Flett, Cooper, L Grant, Oglesby (Robertson 65).
Garforth Town: Newbould (Tonkinson HT), McCarthy, Simpkins, Smith, Wood, Hubball (Preece HT), Rupere, Alali, Barnett, Mangham, Johnson (Sutton 75).
Referee: Wayne Grunnill
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 106
Man of the match: Luke Mascall (Cleethorpes Town)