Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Garforth Town 2-0 Athersley Rec
Garforth celebrate Curtly Martin-Wyatt’s decisive goal. Picture: Steve Richardson
Garforth Town eased their relegation fears after coming out on top in the six-pointer with Athersley.
Garforth were on a run of six defeats and two draws since their last win, form which had sucked them into the relegation battle. The massive victory puts the Miners on the brink of survival. One more win should see them home and dry.
Any nerves were settled straight after the interval. A fumble from Athersley goalkeeper Neal May gifted centre-back Luke McCrum gifted a simple tap-in.
Mark Simpson, a constant nuisance for Athersley, then nearly added the second killer goal. That job was down to Curtly Martin-Wyatt in the 75th minute when he squeezed a close range effort past May.
Garforth Town: Osborne, J Alali (captain), K Alali, Preece, McCrum, Kidd, Simpson, McCarthy, Martin-Wyatt, Jones, Harris. Subs: Robertson, Lund, Simpkins, Ford, Smith.
Athersley Rec: May, Scully, Cook, Copping, Hodgson, White (captain), Almond, Haywood, Smith, Podmore, Moxon. Subs: Hague, Shilitto, Rhodes, Oliver.
Referee: Nicholas Hawksby
Attendance: 119
Great result and much needed, nice to see curtly & Mark simpson up front together causing havoc, you need this pairing to give Garforth a chance of staying up. Simpson can get round back of teams. To say he’s been out most of the season i thought McCarthy was absolute class, prefer him at centre back but that lads a footballer and can play any where, a praise too to jazz alali on his 100th appearance. Two games coming up which are winnable, get something from these and Garforth should be OK. Fingers crossed!