Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Maltby Main 2-3 Garforth Town
Super-sub Sean Hunter was the hero for Garforth Town
Super-sub Sean Hunter capped a crazy finale by scoring the winner for Garforth Town in the 93rd minute at Maltby Main, who failed in their attempt to climb to second place.
Sixty seconds earlier, Garforth thought they had blown it after conceding a late equaliser – scored by former Stocksbridge Park Steels striker Ryan Carroll.
The memorable away victory in freezing conditions completely erases memories of the 7-0 defeat at Pickering Town.
Garforth were bright from the start and Rob Hunter’s men raced into an early two-goal-lead. A foul on Mark Simpson led to a penalty which Lee Turner coolly tucked home.
Calum Ward did all the hard work for the second goal. He got round goalkeeper Jamie Bailey and when the ball ran loose, Simpson buried it into the back of the net.
Maltby rattled the woodwork twice before Dean Smith thundered the home side back into on the half-hour mark.
Garforth survived an early second half onslaught from Maltby. The Miners then produced a heroic backs-to-the-wall to hold on until injury-time. Garforth defended like trojans, but the hard work appeared to go to waste when Carroll capitalised on mass panic in the Garforth box in the 92nd minute.
However, there would be a dramatic twist. Garforth managed to carve the home side open, leading to Mitch Hamilton having time and space to shoot from distance. His effort was parried by Bailey and the ball dropped nicely for Hunter, who couldn’t miss.
The win keeps Garforth on course for a top half finish.