Garforth 1 Nostell MW 2

Sadly the first game played in nine months on the Bannister Prentice Stadium pitch couldn't be marked with a Garforth victory, but both sides did well to put on an entertaining contest in the sweltering heat.

Town had the better of the first half, but sadly had only one goal to show for it at the break. James Burgess headed just wide a Sam Leach delivery to the far post early on, before the former did well to hold the ball up for Helmo Silva to fire into the side netting. There were some chances for Welfare too however. Toby Wells pulled off a good stop on 23 mins to turn round former Town striker Nathan Perks' shot around the post, then was there to deny their number 7 when racing clear of the defence. Back down the other end Burgess's half volley was narrowly off-target after Jamie Barkway headed on Jack McGahan's free-kick. Burgess was proving a handful for the visitors and it was no surprise when he put us ahead on 32 mins. Latching on to a ball down the left, he outpaced the last man and drilled the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

The last chance of the half fell to Nostell's number 11, who's 25 yard shot hit the crossbar.

Welfare had the better of the possession after the break, although initially without testing Garforth substitute 'keeper Aaron Burn. Town looked to hurt them on the counter-attack; Burgess hit just wide when supplied by Leach on 49 mins while Ryan Foster (?) forced a good save from the Welfare 'keeper on 71 mins. Substitute Charlie Marshall went close after getting clear of his man, forcing a save at the near post. A number of changes for both sides had disrupted the half's flow, but in the end they were to benefit the visitors who pounced twice to win the game. A crossfield ball from Nostell's number 10 on 84 mins found Lewis Pickering in the box who fired across Burn and into the net. Burn did well moments later to deny Joe Wood on the edge of his box after a move down the right, but couldn't do anything about Danny Edward's low strike into the bottom corner to make it 2-1 with seconds remaining.

Another good run out for Paul Marshall's side, but the shipping of late goals recently will be something our management team will aim to work on as the league season approaches. Paul's thoughts on pre-season can be found on Non League Yorkshire. Our final friendly is on Tuesday 27th July when we make the short journey to play Yorkshire Amateur (kick-off 7:30pm).

Garforth team: Wells, Leach, McGahan, Fitzgerald, Smith, Barkway, Silva, A Triallist, Burgess, Witter, McAughtrie (?). Subs used: Denton, Coupland, 'Jed', Foster, Burn, Marshall, Bates.

(Photo by James Grayson)