Mark Simpson congratulates Danny Harris after Garforth broke the deadlock. Picture: Steve Richardson
Garforth Town won in the FA Vase for the first time in nine years with a resounding 4-1 victory over Albion Sports at Wheatley Park.
In an even start to the game Mark Simpson shot wide from Ashley Preece’s cross into the box and Michael O’ Brian provided the first shot on target for the visitors with a long range effort through a crowd of players which Ben Hunter did well to keep out of the corner. On 12 mins Simpson got clear of the Albion defence and rounded goalkeeper Jack Bentley but his shot was blocked by a defender.
On 23 mins the Miners were in front. From Hunter’s throw a brilliant one-two between Danny Harris and Simpson split the defence open and Harris found the net from inside the area for his first goal of the season.
From then on for the rest of the half Garforth dominated with The Lions struggling to cope with our pace and options up front. Four mins later it was 2-0 when a great delivery from Harris picked out Preece who controlled and finished coolly past Bentley. The hard-working midfielder’s first competitive goal for the club has been a long time coming, but few would deny it being thoroughly deserved. He almost grabbed his second moments later from Andy Hawksworth’s delivery from out wide but headed over the bar.
A rare foray up front from the visitors on 32 mins saw striker Marcus Edwards make a dangerous run down the right but his shot flashed across goal and wide. Two minutes later The Miners arguably put the tie out of the sight with another superb goal; Luke Mangham making a great run down the right and and crossing into an awaiting Simpson to sidefoot home.
The Town players were enjoying themselves and further chances followed. Mangham’s powerful volley brought a good save from Bentley on 36 mins and there was almost a Hawksworth thunderbolt immediately after when the captain struck the post from 35 yards. He came close again on 39 mins; volleying wide from just outside the box after more good play between Harris and Simpson.
On 41 mins though the Bradford-based side were given hope after Daniel Monfredi handled in the box and referee Joseph Goodwin pointed to the spot. Up stepped Asif Hussain who sent Hunter the wrong way to reduce the deficit.
Compared to the scintillating standards of the first half, the second period was a little flat from a Town perspective. The game was arguably won however only a minute in when we were awarded a penalty of our own when captain James Firth fouled Simpson after he was put through by Harris. Mangham stepped up to take it and found the corner of the net despite Bentley getting a hand to it.
Despite this the visitors heads’ hadn’t gone down and they came close a number of times to reduce the deficit further. In a good spell shortly after the hour mark Danny Cunningham’s dangerous ball in had to be turned out by Hunter and from the resulting corner Town survived a goalmouth scramble, the defence clearing off the line.
Hunter saved Alex Cusack’s 25 yard strike, Firth shot past the far post after finding space in the box and Hunter was there again to keep out Anil Singh’s header from a corner.
On 78 mins Hawksworth made a decisive clearance to cut out Edwards’s cross with an attacking player ghosting in at the far post. Sub Curtly Martin-Wyatt came close when put through by fellow sub Sinmi Oyebanji, but curled a shot inches over the bar. Dangerous looking sub Omar Habeer probably should’ve done better four mins from time when breaking clear but volleyed over. There was still time for one more Town chance in injury time when Thomas Smith broke clear and set up Mangham but the striker fired just wide.
Garforth Town: Hunter, Hawksworth, Robertson, Monfredi, Rogers, Shelton, Lund, Preece, Simpson, Mangham, Harris. Subs: Smith, Martin-Wyatt, Oyebanji, Perks, Scott.
Referee: Joe Goodwin
Attendance: 89
Thanks to Andrew Marsh from Garforth Town for this report.