Neil Jones (right) took charge of Garforth Town as Graham Nicholas was ill
Two quick-fire late goals ended Garforth Town’s bad run and earned stand-in boss Neil Jones an unlikely victory over in-form Barton Town Old Boys.
Jones took charge of Garforth in place of the ill Graham Nicholas and guided them to their first win in six Toolstation NCEL Premier Division matches.
Garforth had to make six changes from the side that lost 2-0 at league leaders Tadcaster Albion on Saturday.
Another stand-in, goalkeeper in this case, Luke Mangham, who was Garforth’s hero, returned to the front line and returning stopper Ben Hunter retook his place between the sticks.
But the first half was not pretty for Garforth. Barton, whose form since losing the first four games has been nothing short of remarkable.
Barton have won nine out of their last 12 league games which has taken them from the bottom to the brink of the top five and in the first half it was easy to see why.
Barton’s passing was a joy to behold and entertaining for the 75 watching. The only downside for Barton was that they failed to show an end product and looked vulnerable from a Garforth counter-attack.
Tawanda Rupere and Joel Barnett went close for Garforth before Barton started to really turn the screw.
The opening goal arrived with 38 minutes on the clock. Garforth gave Ash Lattimore too much room on the left-wing and Barton’s danger man was able to score with a deflected strike.
Barton failed to to play with the same vigour purpose in the second half and paid the price for failing asleep for two minutes late-on.
Mangham had to act as Garforth’s goalkeeper at Tadcaster, but he was back in his familiar position and he turned the tide with an exceptional run.
The attacker ran some distance with the ball at his feet and drilled a superb low drive into the bottom corner to drag Garforth back to life after four weeks of misery.
Garforth sensed blood and immediately got their winning goal. Mangham made the run to cut Barton open.
Barton goalkeeper Ben White was draw which enabled Mangham to pass the ball across goal and allow Barnett to smash it past the Barton defenders on the line.
Garforth had to face a barrage of pressure, but their defence held firm. Barton will scratching their heads wondering how they didn’t kill the game off in the first half.
Garforth Town: Hunter, Hawksworth (captain), Simpkins, Smith, Alali, McCarthy, Rupere, Akeroyd, Barnett, Lund, Mangham. Subs unused: Robertson, Wood, Laight.
Barton Town Old Boys: White, Owen, Gowen, Belcher, Barlow (captain), Ricketts, Mortimer (Gill 78), Kirk, Phillips, Lattimore, Smith. Subs unused: McFayden, Paylor, Baker.
Referee: Nick Hawksby (North Yorkshire)
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 75
Man of the match: Luke Mangham (Garforth Town)