Mark Simpson scored the winner for Garforth at Maltby Main
A goal from Mark Simpson gave Garforth Town the points in a gritty and determined 1-0 win at Maltby Main’s Muglet Lane.
It was a scrappy game in which clear-cut chances were few but despite not being at our flowing best Town deserve credit for rolling up their sleeves and winning the battle.
In an even start to the contest the first chance fell on ten mins to Maltby’s veteran striker and captain Brian Cusworth after being set up by Ben Thornton, but shot over the bar.
Ashley Preece provided Town’s first shot on target on 24 mins when his low effort from the edge of the box was saved by Main keeper Danny Rusling. Cusworth looked certain to put his side ahead six mins later when breaking clear and beating Ben Hunter but Ross Shelton was there to clear his shot off the line.
Curtly Martin-Wyatt looked certain to test Rusling at the other end just before the break when put through by Simpson but the striker lost control of the ball and the home defence recovered to clear the danger. Moments later down the other end Hunter pulled off a great save to keep out Michael Cuckson’s 20 yard strike from flying into the top corner.
Straight from Town kicking off the second half it was Rusling’s turn to keep his side in the game, tipping over a 25-yard effort from Martin-Wyatt.
On 68 mins The Miners finally made the breakthrough. And it was Simpson again displaying his match-winning qualities; receiving the ball on the right, twisting and turning between defenders and beating Rusling with a low shot at his near post.
Three mins later another good chance fell to Cusworth when supplied by dangerous-looking sub Steven Hopewell but shot wide when well placed.
Garforth had a couple of chances to put things to bed late on; on 88 mins Andy Hawksworth’s delivery found sub Josh Moore at the far post who managed to find space but blazed over. A superb run by Luke Mangham through the middle deserved a goal, but his shot was blocked by Rusling, the loose ball falling to Danny Harris who fired over. Sandwiched in between those, at the other end Thornton forced a save from Hunter with a low shot.
Garforth Town: Hunter, Hawksworth (captain), Robertson, Monfredi, Rogers, Shelton, Martin-Wyatt, Preece, Simpson, Mangham, Harris. Subs: Alali, Moore, Lund, Scott.
Thanks Andrew Marsh for this report.
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