Garforth 6 Retford United 1

Garforth have this season often been guilty of not being clinical enough when on top, indeed the game at Cannon Park against the same opponents in August was one. There were no such worries yesterday though as The Miners put The Badgers to the sword in a performance notable not only for ruthless finishing but also a number of outstanding displays across the field, epitomized by fullback Chris Simpkins' man of the match award.

In a fairly even first twenty mins the visitors registered the first effort on target after four mins when Josh Batty shot straight at Ben Hunter. The game saw a return from holiday for Mark Simpson and his pace was to give the Retford defence no end of problems all afternoon, but things just weren't falling for him thus far. On 22 mins though he played a key part in Garforth's opener, receiving the ball in the corner and putting in a wonderfully weighted cross for Luke Mangham to head home over the reach of keeper Tom Fuller.

Retford captain Liam Nelthorpe tried his luck with a strike from distance on 25 mins which was claimed by Hunter. Six mins later though Town were two-up when Spencer Lund supplied Tawanda Rupere to arrow into the bottom corner from 20 yards out.

Batty had another chance for the Nottinghamshire side on 35 mins, breaking clear and forcing a good save from Hunter's foot. Only a minute later however it was 3-0 courtesy of Simpson, who finally got himself off the mark after a great move down the middle saw him put through by Lund to round Fuller and slide into the empty net.

On 38 mins Ben Muirhead was unlucky not to give the visitors hope when his powerful strike from 20 yards was tipped over by Hunter.

A good move down the right just before the break almost saw Simpson grab his second, Andy Hawksworth's cross into the six-yard box being gathered by Fuller at the striker's feet.

On 52 mins Rupere almost made it 4-0 when put through by Simpson but his chip over the onrushing Fuller went just over. Just after the hour mark it was four after Ashley Preece made a run across the 'D' and spread wide to Dan Barrett who's curling cross-cum-shot was deflected into the net by Fuller to the delight of the ex-Glasshoughton midfielder.

Fuller was called into action again on 70 mins, denying a powerful 25-yard strike from sub Josh Greenhalgh.

A minute later a fifth was added after a Retford attack was stopped in its tracks by a superb challenge from Preece. The ball was played forward to Simpson who rounded Fuller again to score from a narrow angle.

Shortly before the 80 min mark, Simpson came close a couple of times to a hattrick, firstly when breaking clear again and trying to lob Fuller but his shot drifting past the post and being denied by a block from the United stopper in similar circumstances moments later.

Town have arguably played worse teams than Retford this season, and rather than others who tended to tire in the last 20 mins the Badgers didn't give up and on 82 mins Hunter made up for a poor kick out which let in sub Joe Knowles by collecting his shot on goal. Three mins later though Batty scored a consolation, heading home at the far post a dangerous ball in from Leigh Hutchinson (5-1). Hutchinson himself almost reduced the arrears further a minute later after rounding Hunter but was denied by Jack McCarthy's clearance off the line.

The game was well won by this stage but there was to be no strolling into the corners as Graham Nicholas' side went in search of a sixth. Two players had already got themselves off the mark this afternoon and this aspect was given a fitting end by a player making his 42nd appearance for the club. Central defender Jassim Alali joined the party in injury time with arguably the pick of the goals; making a sublime run from midfield and beating Fuller with a low strike in off the post. An unlikely source for Town's first scorer off the bench this season but thoroughly deserved for a man who has time and again been a rock at the back.

A comprehensive victory to sign off in style going into a long run of away games, and if we can keep up this level of performance on the road our return to Cedar Ridge in late February will be one worth waiting for.