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Home > 2007-08 Season > Match Reports > Garforth Town (12.01.08)

MATCH REPORT

Bamber Bridge 1 Garforth Town 0

Northern Premier League 1st Division North

at Irongate

Saturday 12th January 2008

By Dave Rowland

If Bamber Bridge ultimately achieve their dream of promotion at the end of term, then they can justifiably point to the triumphs gained from epic struggles such as this as the basis of their success. As at Mossley the week previously, a late goal by a substitute, on this occasion Dave Eaton, was enough to see them through. This was a thoroughly absorbing contest with the pacy Lancastrians pitted against a young West Yorkshire side who’s silky skills, and steely determination, made for a wonderfully enjoyable game of football for the meagre Irongate crowd. ‘The Miners’ fine approach play was undone by a lack of potency in attack and whilst a fine defence kept the usually lethal Brig strikers at bay for 84 minutes, at the end of the day, they were no match for their tenacious South Ribble opponents who never gave up the chase.

Brig were eager to repeat the gritty performance they displayed in Tameside last week at Mossley and continue with their recovery following a disappointing Christmas. After losing three games on the bounce and slipping out of the top three, the South Ribble side were keen to return to their early season consistency and put pressure on the leading sides in the First Division North. They were also hoping to achieve the ‘league double’ over their West Yorkshire guests; having won 2-0 on their first ever visit to the Genix Healthcare Stadium at the beginning of September. League newcomers, Garforth Town, were eager to get back on track following a surprising 0-4 defeat at home to struggling Woodley Sports last weekend. ‘The Miners’ arrived at Irongate, one place, and just three points behind Brig, but having played five games more. It was their first venture to Bamber Bridge.

Neil Crowe made four changes to the team that successfully ‘ground-out’ a result at Mossley seven days earlier. Both centre-backs, Adam Tong and Steve Williams were unavailable due to each having incurred a one-match ban. As a result, George Melling was drafted back into the side with Glenn Steel moving over from midfield to accompany him in the centre of the defence. Paul McMenemy was preferred at full-back to Damian Dashti; as was Sean O’Neil at the front, replacing Dave Eaton, who was named as one of the substitutes. Stephen Brown came back into his usual right midfield birth to fill the gap occasioned by Glenn Steel’s relocation.

It was apparent right from the start that both sides were prepared to push the ball around with speed and accuracy as they sought to win superiority in the middle of the park.

After the opening bout of sparring, Brig began to apply some sustained pressure, with Sean O’Neil and Ryan Salmon in particular working hard to unlock a solid looking defence. However, it was the visitors who almost snatched an early lead following a move full of cunning and invention down the left. Full-back Milton Turner drove forwards with great pace out of the Garforth back line and put Mark Piper in possession out on the left wing. From Piper’s neat lay-off, Chris Brown narrowly glanced a header past the far post with Brig goalkeeper Terry McCormick routed to his line.

Bamber Bridge responded with lightening speed and Karl Spat in the Garforth goal was forced to save with his feet from a Stephen Brown drive following an astute through-ball from Danny Mahoney. Then Brig skipper Alex Porter came within inches of success when his free-kick from distance whizzed agonisingly close to Spat’s right-hand goalpost.

At the other end, it was McCormick’s turn to save with his feet when denying Piper who shot from close range. Piper was again prevented from getting his name on the score-sheet on the half-hour mark when his effort was deflected wide by a Brig defender.

Whilst both sides were playing good open football, Brig looked the more menacing combination and almost got their noses in front on 40 minutes when Porter fired across the face of goal after being set up by Salmon.

Both of Brig’s leading marksmen were having to work especially hard against a fine defence well marshalled by Town’s twin centre-backs Bret Renshaw and Nathan Kamara, both of whom toiled slavishly for the Garforth cause all afternoon.

‘The Miners’ almost nicked the lead just before the interval when, following an incisive move through the home rearguard, speedy wingman Jason St Juste shot across the face of goal after being put clean through with McCormick left standing alone.

The pattern continued after the break with Brig looking menacing going forward but with the Yorkshiremen snapping at their heels.

Paul McMenemy touched narrowly over the crossbar after Glenn Steel had knocked on a Brown corner-kick from the left following a spell of Brig pressure. Then a Brown effort was deflected wide after the young Liverpudlian had tried to take advantage of a rare mistake in the Garforth defence.

Dave Eaton came on for Sean O’Neil on the hour mark and almost opened the scoring with a shot which flew just over Spat’s crossbar following an Alex Porter corner-kick, as Brig manoeuvred continuously in order to force a breach in the visitors rock solid defence. A well directed cross, ferociously whipped in by Tom Ince from the left, was headed to safety by Bret Renshaw as the home side stepped up a gear.

Bamber Bridge’s enterprise and patience finally paid off with just six minutes left on the clock when they deservedly won all three points following some fine play in and around their opponents penalty box. Danny Mahoney found himself some room in the crowded Town area and deftly laid the ball off into the path of DAVE EATON who drove home beyond Spat with great aplomb from ten yards.

At last the tough and enterprising West Yorkshire side had been overcome and Eaton came close again in the dying seconds but Spat was on hand to save well. A worthy Salmon effort from distance flew narrowly over as this closely fought and absorbing affair came to a conclusion.

Bamber Bridge: McCormick, M Mahoney, McMenemy (Ince 68mins), Steel, Melling, Edmeads, Brown (Spencer 77mins), D Mahoney, Salmon, O’Neil (Eaton 60mins), Porter

Goals: Eaton (84 mins)

Attendance: 180