Garforth 4 Campion 2

Matt Antcliff returned to the starting eleven at the expense of Tabish Hussain who took a place on the bench. Alex Zachariou also returned to the to replace the unavailable Rinor Ejupi whilst Kieran Clayton went back to a more familiar fullback role after deputising in midfield in the late defeat to Thackley on Tuesday. Dexter Ball was pushed forward to allow Joe Smith to join Zachariou, Harry Viggars, Jamie Barkway and Clayton in a five-man defence.

The first half was 100mph from the off, with some questionable decision-making by the officials playing a big part. Nash Connolly was in on the chances first when put through by Sam Barker and forcing a save by the feet of Campion keeper Brad Emerson, but was in any case ruled offside. He came close again shortly after when his header from a long throw-in bounced up and just over the crossbar. Matt Antcliff then steamed into the box from a long pass forward, but was denied by some last-ditch defending.

The Red and Blacks came into the game with Harry Flatters turning wide Kieran Suddards' powerful drive on 12 mins. A minute after that the visitors were awarded a penalty after Stephen Crawford went down in the area after what looked like the slightest of contact. Marcus Day duly dispatched with aplomb to put his side in front.

Despite this The Miners kept going forward and Harry Viggars almost added to his goal tally from a Dexter Ball free kick; his turn and volley claimed by Emerson. There were appeals for a Garforth penalty now when Barker looked to have been fouled in the area after a foray in from the right, but the referee waved play on. Antcliff was then scythed down by two Campion players on the left flank, but again nothing doing. A Town faithful already incensed by these incidents and bookings for Kieran Clayton and Jordan Emery were aggrieved further when Viggars was sent to the sin-bin for protesting yet another decision going the opponents' way. Despite all of that, the ten-men were level on 32 mins when Antcliff did brilliantly to pick his way between defenders and finish well across Emerson.

Ex-Town midfielder Joe Colley almost restored Campion's lead within seconds of the equaliser when cutting in from the right, but his shot was straight at Flatters. Ball then became the latest to be shown a yellow card and only five minutes after Viggars returned to the field, Connolly then found himself temporarily sent to the sidelines for dissent after the visitors were awarded a free-kick in the middle of the park. The Bradfordians took full advantage with the ball being played to Nicky Boshell on the edge of the box who finished low into the net to make it 2-1. That lead only lasted a minute or so as a one-man-light Town roared back again. Straight from kick-off Antcliff was adjudged to have been fouled in the box and now The Miners had a penalty. Any home supporters' fears of similar circumstances here against Hallam back in July re-occurring were banished when Emery tucked away the rebound after his spot-kick was saved.

Half time came with scores level, the referee was given a "warm reception" by home supporters, and everyone went for a lie down.

A second half of fewer chances and a bit less controversy ensued; on 52 mins there was a third penalty of the evening when Barker was taken down in the box by Day. Emery stepped up again and sent Emerson the wrong way for his second of the game. It was a lead the battling Miners - at this point now boasting eleven men - would never relinquish, with some valiant defending restricting the visitors to a handful of chances. Substitute Lee Turner almost scored within seconds of coming on when he got on the end of Connolly's long throw, but the ball was deflected wide. Emery was denied a hattrick when his header from a corner was blocked on the line, then a counter-attack saw Turner in again but the ball was a little too far in front of the Town legend and Emerson managed to claim.

Four minutes from time Garforth made the points safe when Jamie Barkway headed in at the back post Connolly's free-kick for his first goal of the season. The Red and Blacks, by now level with Town on the cautions tally, came close in injury time to reducing the deficit when Flatters denied Marcus Harper's audacious effort from distance, but there was still time for a Town chance to make it five when a curling strike from sub Tabish Hussain was inches past the far post.

A magnificent victory in front of a bumper crowd in which all players played a part. Paul Marshall's side are back on the road for their next two outings, starting with Penistone Church next Saturday 23rd September (kick-off 3pm).