Garforth Town 4-0 Pickering Town

In a first half of little action, Garforth took the lead from their only real opportunity to do so, thanks to Matt Antcliff. Paul Marshall’s side scored in quick succession early in the second half before substitute Sam Cable’s finish wrapped up the points.

Garforth were forced to make an early change, bringing on Max Tweddle in replacement of Jay Davis who was on the end of a nasty tackle in the middle of the park. After a lengthy discussion between the referee and linesman, Bubacarr Sanyang was very lucky to only be shown a yellow card for his challenge on the midfielder.

With just over 15 minutes played the Miners took the lead. On the back of a brace in his last game, Matt Antcliff added another to his tally after his run in behind was spotted and he brought down a fantastic ball over the top, before coolly slotting home.

Harry Flatters produced a great save to deny Wayne Brooksby, palming away a freekick from close range that was heading for the top corner.

The rest of the half was scrappy with both Garforth and Pickering players going into the book, and the home crowd were left frustrated by some decisions. Neither ‘keepers were troubled for what remained of the first 45 minutes and the sides headed in with Garforth in front.

HALF TIME: Garforth Town 1-0 Pickering Town

The Miners set about killing the game off early in the second half and it wasn’t long before we got what we were hoping for.

With a great burst of pace Antcliff ran onto a ball played behind the visitors’ backline and raced into the box, where he poked the ball under Harrison McGuire and into the back of the net for 2-0.

Shortly after, Antcliff again latched on to the end of a through ball and was too quick for his man to keep up with. However, this time the forward tried to take it around McGuire, who dove for the ball but only ended up cleaning out the man and the referee awarded a penalty. Jordan Emery stepped up and fired it into the bottom corner making it 3-0 to Garforth with less than 10 minutes of the second half played.

With any concerns of an equaliser erased the Miners began to dominate possession and created numerous chances. Emery and Antcliff both came close, each managing to take the ball around the goalkeeper and each having their efforts cleared off the line.

Sam Cable was introduced from the bench and within a few minutes he was on the scoresheet. Antcliff this time the provider as he was found in space in the box before he squared the ball across goal for his teammate to tap into an open net.

In the final 10 minutes Matt nearly set up another. Sam Barker knocked the ball past his man with some great footwork in midfield before playing a great ball down the line to Antcliff, who cut it back to Rinor Ejupi but the fullback struck just over the bar from outside the box.

From there, Garforth were able to protect their clean sheet and saw the rest of the game out to put another 3 points on the board.

FULL TIME: Garforth Town 4-0 Pickering Town