Garforth Town 2 .... Ossett Albion 3
Antony Clough
Town's title hopes gone!!
Northern Counties East Football League Premier League
GARFORTH TOWN 2 (1) v (1) 3 OSSETT ALBION
1 Dave Bramhill Mick Clark
1
2 Damien Holmes James Riordan 2
3 Darren Firth Jon Braime
3
4 Gary Shaw Andy Wilson
4
5 Chris Sullivan Gavin Dooley
5
6 Calvin Allen Mark Whiteley
6
7 Richard Ramsden Shaun Joyce 7
8 Darren Abrams Craig Gomersal 8
9 Elliott Beddard Danny Day
9
10 Simeon Bambrook Dean Johnson 10
11 Vince Brockie Chris Cornelly
11
Substitutes
12 Dave Henry Jerry Wright
12
14 Andy Sibson Mark Hemmingway 14
15 Craig Daniels Bob Clarke
15
Garforth started the game 9 places below leaders Ossett Albion in the league
and with games in hand a win for Town would have closed the 13 point gap
between them. The last meeting between the two sides, over the Christmas
period. ended in a bruising 1-1 draw.
Dave Parker made two changes to the side that lost their last NCE League
game, 3-1 to Brigg, played over two weeks ago due to the weather. Darren
Firth came in for Dave Woodhead at fullback and Elliot Beddard got the
number 9 shirt over Dave Henry who was on the bench. Ossett Albion, had also
had a fortnight's break from action, their last fixture at North Ferriby was
another casualty of the weather. Albion can boast the leagues top scorer in
Danny Day who was partnered up front by Craig Gommersal, the ever present
Gavin Dooley was again at centre back.
Albion kicked off and immediately took the game to Garforth, winning several
early corners. The pressure was to bring an early booking for Towns Vince
Brockie when his ill timed challenge at the edge of the penalty area on
Shaun Joyce was awarded with a free kick. The free kick was well defended by
the five man wall and resulted in a swift attack to the other end where
Simeon Bambrook went close with a volley that went over the bar.
The game had exploded into life from the off and the crowd of 310 were
warmed by two goals in a minute. Ossett's early promise was rewarded with a
goal as early as the 8th minute. A mistake from Town leftback Darren Firth
let in speedy Craig Gomersal down the right, who ran into the box, but Firth
got back well to block and give away a corner. The resulting corner was only
half cleared and when the ball was crossed again veteran Gavin Dooley
managed to head home from 12 yards passed Bramhill, who seemed unsighted by
the bright sun shine. From the kick-off Town were level. Ramsden received
the ball on the right and ran at the defence, his cross was only half
blocked by the unfortunate Dooley and the ball ran to Simeon Bambrook who
smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
The game was turning out to be a physical battle in all areas of the pitch
and it was only down to charitable refereeing by Mr Morrall that Mick Clark,
in the Ossett goal, was not booked for a diving. Bambrook was becoming a
thorn in the Albion defence and after good work from Brockie his shot was
well saved by Clark but when Bambrook followed up his shot the goalkeeper
made a theatrical dive. The referee to his credit did warn the keeper.
The hard working Garforth midfield were controlling the game now. It was
noticeable that the Ossett defence were delaying things whenever they could,
to give themselves a rest bite from the constant attacks. Town went close on
numerous occasions. The closest to a goal came when, again after good work
down the right, the ball fell to Brockie who hit his volley against the post
from 20 yards.
If the match had been a boxing bout Town would have been clear on points by
half-time but at the interval the scores were level.
The second half started where the first had finished with Garforth again
controlling the pace and it came as no surprise when the home team took the
lead in the 53rd minute. Darren Abrams won a header from a Bramhill punt up
field to set Ramsden in the clear on the right. His first time pass to
Bambrook sent the striker near to the corner flag and the danger looked
lost, but Bambrook brought the ball inside and good skill beat leftback
Riorden and then Andy Wilson to then shoot and although his shot took a
deflection the ball nestled into the bottom corner of the net, to great
relief from the home fans. It was a well deserved lead and you would have
thought Garforth would have gone on to win comfortably.
Although Bambrook and Beddard worked hard up front for Garforth they began
to lack support from the tiring midfield and Ossett began to take command.
Town were sitting back on their lead, and this only encourage Albion and
they began to show why they were leaders of the league. Andy Wilson first
went close to an equaliser with a header from a Shaun Joyce free kick that
went just passed the upright.
On sixty minutes Garforth pressed the self distruct button. A corner, on the
right, from Ossett favourite Chris Cornelly bemused Dave Bramhill in the
Garforth goal. What should have been a regulation catch for the keeper was
aloud to curl over his head and desperate attempts by defenders only helped
the ball into the net.
Garforth attempted to up the pace but looked tired or had their minds moved
onto Tuesday nights cup Final. Dean Johnson went close with a chip that just
went over the Town bar as the Garforth were put under pressure for the first
time since the start. Frustrations were running high and Richard Ramsden was
booked for descent when he felt he had been fouled and nothing was given.
As the match went into the final 10 minutes both sides went close to getting
a winner. Elliot Beddard went close, for Garforth, with an header that had
to be cleared desperately for a corner. Then a swift move down the left that
involved one touch passing from Brockie and Darren Firth set up Beddard
who's shot went just wide. At the other end good defending stopped Danny Day
adding to his goal tally and a linesman's flag stopped the same striker when
he was put clear on goal.
The game was looking set for the draw when Garforth reactivated the destruct
button again. Two minutes were left on the clock when Gomersall got clear on
the left. His cross looked like it would be collected by Bramhill but Gary
Shaw, who had played well in marshalling Danny Day all afternoon, stretched
out a leg and guided the ball passed the committed Keeper into the net. It
was a cruel way to end the game but the drama was not yet over. Simeon
Bambrook had a chance to score but the Ossett keeper saved bravely at his
feet but again showed his theatrical side to claim a freekick and the
Garforth striker was booked for the incident. Bambrook did not leave the
referee alone and his dissent got him a further yellow card, that then
became red to be sent from the field. With important games still to come in
the campaign this will not have pleased his manager Dave Parker as Bambrook
as already missed a big part of the season with suspension's.
The transfer saga of Andy Watson has now been sorted out. Doncaster Rovers
have nipped in with £25,000 to buy the right winger from under Huddersfield
Town's nose. This was not the end of Garforth's transfer news as todays game
was watched by new signing Richard Ward of Farsley Celtic. He is a speedy
left back and will only strengthen the Garforth defence that have let in six
goals in their last two home games.
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