Paul Ward parted company with Retford United after the 6-1 defeat to Garforth Town
Garforth Town romped to their best win of the season with a 6-1 annihilation of Retford United – a result which cost Paul Ward his job.
Mark Simpson got two and nearly scored a hat-trick in the game which left Retford without a Toolstation NCEL Premier Division victory in seven games.
Ward was relieved of his duties earlier today and former Handsworth Parramore manager Russ Eagle was unveiled as their new manager.
After an even 20 minutes, Garforth’s first goal opened the floodgates and Retford were dead and buried by half-time.
Simpson, back from holiday, was the catalyst for the opener with a superb cross which allowed Luke Mangham to put Garforth in front and their way to a memorable victory.
Spencer Lund set the second goal up with a pass that Tawanda Rupere latched onto before firing the ball into the bottom corner.
Mark Simpson got two and nearly scored a hat-trick
Lund was involved again for the third with a through ball which enabled former Pontefract striker Simpson to round goalkeeper Tom Fuller and score.
Retford did have chances themselves with Ben Muirhead forcing a save out of Ben Hunter, but Garforth were well out of sight early in the second half.
Ash Preece’s cross-field run finished with him spotting Dan Barrett on the wing. The midfielder’s attempt was helped into the net by a deflection.
Preece was against involved in the fifth goal with the assist for Simpson, who scored a replica of his first half goal.
Simpson had two chances to seal a treble before Retford pulled a goal back through a Josh Batty header.
The goal of the day belonged to centre-back Jassim Alali at the death.
Alali made a surging run from the back and scored with a low strike to round off a glorious day for Graham Nicholas and his side.
Garforth Town: Hunter, Hawksworth, Simpkins, Smith, McCarthy, Preece, Rupere, Lund, Simpson, Mangham, Barrett. Subs: Alali, Greenhalgh, Robertson, Newbould, Oyebanji.
Retford United: Fuller, Hardman, Swannack, Nelthorpe, Morley, Groom, Batty, Walker, Lee, Hutchinson, Muirhead. Subs: Gregg, Knowles, Robinson, Elder.
Referee: Mr J Tyas.
Attendance: 88
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