Garforth Town manager Adrian Costello and goal-scorer Danny Harris pictured a few weeks ago
An early Ash Preece strike and a late Danny Harris belter came just at the right time to Garforth Town, who arrested a five-game losing run with a 2-0 win over bottom side Brigg Town.
In truth, Brigg competed well and dominated for long periods, but the Miners forged ahead in the key moments, earning their first Toolstation NCEL Premier Division victory under the stewardship of Adrian Costello.
Garforth refused to let the visitors settle and were ahead as early as the fourth minute. Dane Winn won the first contact from a corner and the ball broke to Preece, who hit the ball on the up, curling it into the near corner past Jody Barford’s despairing dive.
It looked like Town would wrest complete control at this stage. Curtly Martin-Wyatt, a strong runner throughout, stole in behind Brigg’s back four and nearly doubled his side’s lead with a shot that hit the right hand stanchion.
An injury to Harry McMillan stemmed the home side’s flow somewhat. Finn Kelly turned into space and unfurled a great strike that tested Ben Hunter, while lone striker Paul Grimes, who battled gamefully, forced a save low down.
The Zebras are cut four points adrift at the bottom of the league, a margin which could only increase with games in hand. They looked anything but strugglers here, though, as Elliott Broughton and Grimes created presentable chances.
Brigg repeatedly and volubly criticised decisions made by the officials, although referee Paul Tomes performed creditably and had no big calls to make.
Garforth repelled most that Brigg had to throw at them, and broke with five minutes to go. Harris, who should have got his name on the scoresheet earlier in the contest, was let go by an outstanding cross-field pass from substitute Spencer Lund. Harris teased his defender, set himself on his left side and arrowed a shot high into the top right corner from fully 20 yards.
It was a highly satisfying result for Town and well timed to boot as Costello looks to breathe new life into his team’s season.
Garforth Town: Hunter; J Alali (captain), Winn, K Alali, Robertson; Hardy, McMillan; Oyebanji, Preece, Harris; Martin-Wyatt. Subs: Lund, Kilby, Smith, Jones
Brigg Town: Barford; Fisher, Hellwell, Bowsley (captain), Matthews; Farr, Bratton; Broughton, Kelly, Smith; Grimes. Subs: Skerrett, Barlow, Bean, Wroot
Referee: Paul Tomes
Referee Rating: 7/10
Attendance: 71
Man of the Match: Dane Winn (Garforth Town)