Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Garforth Town 6-1 Pontefract Collieries
Curtly Martin-Wyatt scored a hat-trick in Garforth’s 6-1 win over Pontefract
Curtly Martin-Wyatt powered Garforth Town to safety with a hat-trick in the stunning victory over local rivals Pontefract, who are now deep in relegation trouble.
The massive win was also a deserved reward for Adrian Costello, who has found it tough rebuilding the Miners side which was decimated when Graham Nicholas left for Ossett Town in November.
The Miners slowly got sucked into the relegation battle, but a recent win over Athersley and their latest one over Pontefract has preserved their Premier Division status.
The pressure was on both sides though going into the clash. Garforth eased their supporters’ nerves inside the first ten minutes with two quick-fire goals. Danny Harris struck the first before turning provider for Martin-Wyatt to score with a header.
Martin-Wyatt, a shining star of Costello’s reign, then further increased Garforth’s lead from the penalty spot.
Former Garforth defender Chris Kamara gave Pontefract on the stroke of half-time with his goal.
But Garforth wasted no time in putting the game beyond the Collieries in the second half. Against his former side, Mark Simpson scored arguably his best Garforth goal with an unbelievable lob over goalkeeper Liam Corbett.
An amazing afternoon for the Miners got even better in the closing stages. Tim Robertson and Martin-Wyatt combined to supply Harris with his second of the game. Martin-Wyatt then completed his treble.
Garforth Town: Osborne, J Alali (captain), K Alali, McCarthy, McCrum, Kidd, Simpson, Jones, Martin-Wyatt, Lund, Harris. Subs: Robertson, Simpkins, Ford, Smith.
Pontefract Collieries: L Corbett, Kamara, J Corbett, Rouse, Burniston, Joseph, Mawson, Reece, Moxam (captain), Radford, Whitehouse. Subs: Richards, Mwembie, Parry, Ahmed.
Well done Garforth, great hat trick from Curtly. Created many chances, Harris and Simpson were excellent, back four and midfield solid and disciplined tackling anything that moved and frankly it could have been six at half time. Some excellent players at that club who they need to build the team round. Could have been safer a lot earlier if they hadn’t given game time to players who were clearly not at that level and in my opinion cost them valuable points.