Garforth Town 2-4 Maltby Main
Louis Axcell’s Maltby Main inflicted a first Toolstation NCEL Premier Division defeat on new Garforth Town manager Paul Marshall.
Three first half goals from Jonathan Hill, Sam Forster and Rory Coleman set Maltby on their way. Sean Hunter’s double sparked a Garforth comeback, but any hopes of claiming a dramatic point were extinguished by Robbie Foster’s last minute finish.
Garforth struggled to recover from the loss of defender Sam Denton after eight minutes to injury. Denton was Marshall’s first signing and he has been influential as Garforth have picked up 16 points from a possible 18. His early exit hurt the Miners and within a few minutes, former Handsworth attacker Hill had scored a trademark close range finish.
One was soon two as Hill’s knock on from a free kick was turned in by Forster.
Garforth seemed dead and buried at the break. The score-line had become worse after striker Aaron Moxam had sent through the marauding Stocksbridge Park Steels legend Coleman who galloped away and fired past goalkeeper Toby Wells.
Garforth did not come back into it until there was 20 minutes remaining. Hunter slotted home a penalty after Sam Barker was sent to the deck.
The goal lfited the home side and for several minutes Maltby were under the cosh. One opportunity was cleared off the line before Hunter had a simple finish.
Garforth had a few corners, but did not really test Maltby’s goalkeeper James Pollard.
Any late twist was averted when Foster finished at the back-post.
The Teams
Garforth Town: Toby Wells, James Beaston (captain), Leach, Coupland, Low, Denton (Colley), Barker, Bingley, Simpson (Silva), Turner (Marshall), Hunter. Sub unused: Harding.
Maltby Main: Pollard, McGowan (Foster), Algar, Liversidge, Cutts, Eades, Forster, Hill (Morton), Moxam (King), Patterson, Coleman. Subs unused: Chipps), Pollard.