Garforth Town 2-1 Handsworth

Steve Jeff’s second half strike saw Garforth run out 2-1 victors in their final home game at the Bannister Prentice stadium, following Sam Cable’s first half equaliser after a penalty handed the visitors the lead.

The Miners started brightly with Dan Coupland having an effort inside the area blocked before Sam Barker won a free kick in good range, which was sent narrowly over the bar by Charlie Marshall.

However, it would be Handsworth who had the first real chance to take the lead as they were awarded a penalty after the referee judged Alex Zachariou to have fouled Brandon Bagley in the box.

Despite the best efforts of Harry Flatters, Alfie Dodsworth stepped up and slotted home although Garforth’s ‘keeper was unlucky to not produce the save having guessed the right way and getting a glove on the ball.

We came close to responding soon after the restart, with Marshall showing great control to bring down a ball played over the top and bursting into the box, but Tom Crosby pulled off a good stop with his feet before the visitors scrambled clear.

Garforth got themselves back into the game just past the half hour mark with a fantastic move.

Marshall picked up the ball on the edge of the area before dinking a clever pass behind the defence where he found the run of Barker, who then played a cross back across goal to set up a simple header for Sam Cable.

Flatters was later called into action on a handful of occasions, and the ‘keeper produced two good saves. Firstly to stop a powerful strike from Dodsworth, who shot from distance after the ball fell to him following a Handsworth attack.

The visitors saw the better share of chances in the opening 45 minutes and later a good move down the left flank provided Fernando Taveres the opportunity to hit one from inside the box, but Flatters was down quick to stop at his near post and ensure the sides headed in level at the break.

HALF TIME: Garforth Town 1-1 Handsworth

Garforth threatened early on the second half through Barker who raced into the box and had a shot denied by Crosby at his near post, following an excellent through ball by Coupland.

Paul Marshall then opted for a change, with Steve Jeff coming on in place of Zachariou.

Cable also came close to firing the Miners in front, after a battling Max Tweddle squeezed the ball through to the striker on the edge of the box, but his first time effort flew just the wrong side of the post.

As the half progressed we began to mount on the pressure and once more we came close. Rinor Ejupi showed great determination in nicking the ball away from a Handsworth defender seeing the ball out for a goal kick, but when he cut the ball back across goal no one in blue was able to stab it in.

Eventually the Miners would find a way take the lead, undoing the visitors from a corner. It was swung in by Coupland and met by Barker, who fired against the underside of the bar, but Steve Jeff made no mistake with the rebound and smashed it home through the bodies on the line.

Later substitutions saw Jay Davis, Jamie Barkway, Lee Turner and Max Davies enter with Tweddle, Marshall, Ball and Cable off for the closing stages.

Approaching the end of the game and additional time, Garforth remained comfortable and in control, protecting their one goal advantage. Handsworth failed to trouble us for the remainder of the evening and we successfully saw out another big win.

FULL TIME: Garforth Town 2-1 Handsworth.