Toolstation NCEL League Cup
Garforth Town p1-1 Grimsby Borough
Paul Marshall’s Garforth Town have a chance of clinching a fairytale ending to an outstanding season after reaching the League Cup Final.
Garforth held their nerve to win 5-4 in the penalty shootout against Premier Division champions Grimsby Borough.
Grimsby goalkeeper Liam Higton missed the decisive spot kick in sudden death after blazing the ball onto the crossbar – sparking euphoric scenes.
Garforth will face Nathan Jarman’s Barton Town in the final at the Keepmoat Stadium on the 3rd May.
The shootout was the final act of 120 competitive minutes of football.
Both sides had good chances.
There were least two mass brawls, including one where referee Michael Corbally delivered a memorable You’ve Been Framed moment after comically landed on the deck in the build-up.
Grimsby broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time after Owen Davey finished off a fine attacking move.
The home side responded straight after the break and man of the match Sam Denton steered the ball into the net from a corner.
The eventual shootout brought the best out of the spot kick takers.
Grimsby’s Lewis Collins was the first person to miss at four penalties each.
That gave perennial hero James Burgess the chance to be the headline grabber once again.
Time after time in recent weeks, the striker has stolen the plaudits with crucial goals.
This time, he spurned the chance as his effort was saved.
Fortunately, Garforth netted in sudden death and Higton did a ‘Kepa’.
The Teams
Garforth Town: Wells, Zachariou, Omosebi, Fitzgerald, Denton, Barkway, Marshall, Coupland (captain), Burgess, Turner, Gorji. Subs: Ejupi, Zanos.
Grimsby Borough: Higton, Jamieson (captain), Winfarrah, Wressell, Barnett, Hipwell, Davey, Collins, Bemrose, York, Sawyer. Subs: Petronzio, Bradbury, Ellis, Perry, Drury.
Who Was In Charge
Michael Corbally (6/10)
How Many Were There
358
Man of the Match
Sam Denton (Garforth Town)