Garforth Town manager Adrian Costello (centre) with chairman Brian Close (left) and director Craig Bannister (right). Picture: Chris Mather
Adrian Costello is urging Garforth Town to defend from the front to plug the leaks at the back.
The Miners have conceded ten goals in three Toolstation NCEL Premier Division matches so it is an area of concern for Costello.
Their defensive woes were at the forefront of the 3-2 defeat to struggling Parkgate in midweek – a match that Garforth were winning at half-time.
“We are scoring two or three a game, but conceding three or four,” he said.
“For love nor money we can’t keep a clean sheet at the moment.
“We have been on the training ground and we are working on it. We need improve.
“We have brought in Mick Jones who has played well against Rainworth and Parkgate.
“Him and Dane Winn are a good partnership, but when we talk about defence you always look at the back four.
“However, defence starts higher up. Parkgate were picking the ball up in their own half and walking ten or 15 yards before we decided to put any pressure on the ball.
“Midfielders have to defend, forwards have to defend. Everyone has to defend.
“At half-time against Parkgate I thought we had done alright and it was a good performance.
“We said go out for the second half and don’t do anything stupid in the first ten minutes.
“We conceded a ridiculous goal from a throw-in and a cross and twice we got caught from that because we didn’t put any pressure on the ball.
“It was disappointing, but we go again tomorrow.”
A pitch inspection for early Saturday morning for the visit of Barton Town Old Boys, but if the match does go ahead, Costello will be joined in the dugout by Rob Hunter for the third time.
Former Glasshoughton boss Hunter was named as Costello’s assistant last month.
The Miners boss added: “Rob brings an incredible amount of knowledge about this level of football.
“He knows people, players and knows the way Non League football operates and works.
“He’s always constantly talking to other managers and players.
“It is working out well with him.”
With all due respect, from what I’ve seen of Garforth since the new manager arrived I think the players he’s brought in are not quite up to the standard required at this level. I recall in his first game in charge they scored five against Armthorpe and didnt concede any with just eleven lads who stayed, no subs, it seems to have gone downhill since then. You can’t be carrying two or three passengers or play academy type football at this level, its mens football, blood & thunder! They had a tremendous back four last year with Hawksworth, McCarthy, Smith & Robertson. They need to get these lads back along with Mangham & Simpson. These lads were the backbone that got them to a final at Bradford beating Harrogate town on the way, clubs three leagues above. Worksop admitted they were unable to break that defence down in two matches! I hope they dont find themselves in a dog fight at the bottom as its one win in the last ten games. If Garforth can get these lads back for next season and build around them they could do very well.
I totally agree this never happened under the reign of Nicholas. The team seems to be on a downwood spiral since the new manager took over.
Players like Hawksworth, Simpson & Mangham are hardly likely to return to Garforth, nor would I want them to after leaving the club in the lurch when they left in acrimonious circumstances to join old boss Mr Nicholas at Ossett Town.
New boss Addie Costello needs to be given a chance to show if he can gain success at Town and I for one think he deserves a little patience.
Support your local team through thick and thin, believe me the wait for the good times are worth it !!
You cant blame players who want to test themselves at a higher level. How long do you give the new manager. Results on the field are important can he turn it round time will tell
I’m not too informed of the acrimonious circumstances in which the players left, I wouldn’t be too harsh on the players, I suspect they were put under pressure to give a commitment and been badly advised. Nothing wrong with wanting to play at a higher level but I think the lads previously mentioned could get Garforth up to that higher level.