Manager Paul Marshall rang the changes after last weekend’s defeat to Bradford Park Avenue. James Burgess was given a start with Charlie Marshall and Matt Antcliff named as substitutes. Also starting was Dexter Ball in an attacking midfield role, joining Max Tweddle and Rinor Ejupi, with Matthew Savage and Jordan Emery moved back to holding midfield and fullback respectively.

Before kick-off there were presentations for captain Dan Coupland who recently notched up 200 appearances for the club (vs Stocksbridge) and for Rinor Ejupi who made his 100th against Sheffield. The club currently has in its ranks seven players who’ve made over 100 appearances, with two more (Alex Zachariou and Dexter Ball) hopefully to follow in the coming weeks.

The first half was a poor one from a Garforth perspective, where frequent squandering of possession and a general lack of quality in the final third meant Brid goalkeeper Seb Malkowski’s goal wasn’t really threatened. A cross swung in by Joe Smith could’ve resulted in a good chance on five minutes, but nobody could get good contact on it. On 14 mins down the other end Brid striker Danny Earl found the net after getting clear from a ball over the top, but was ruled offside. The Miners were then grateful to Harry Flatters for keeping them in the game; firstly denying Nathan Dyer’s powerful strike, and from the resulting corner thwarting the same opponent again with an excellent save from a bullet header.

One of a couple of Garforth chances came to Max Tweddle on 23 mins, the midfielder doing well to create his space on the edge of the box before putting a low shot just wide.

The Seasiders took a deserved lead on 29 mins however when Michael Coulson’s header from Dyer’s delivery hit the post and then found its way in off Flatters.

Ejupi shot well wide after a flowing move through the middle, but the chances soon resumed at the other end of the park. Dyer’s header forced another smart save from Flatters before Sam Kay hit wide after Town gave the ball away on the left wing.

After going in at half time fortunate to be only one goal down the second half was better, but the finish was lacking. Dexter Ball’s strike from the edge of the box on 52 mins went just over the bar, then shortly after Tweddle went down in the box to appeals for a penalty which were promptly waved away. Burgess produced our first shot on target of the afternoon when his drive was saved by Malkowski on 53 mins. After Town’s bright start, a couple of Brid chances followed. Earl’s 20 yard effort went just wide of the far post, before another effort from the striker, this time a volley on the edge of the box after a corner was half-cleared, was likewise off-target.

Garforth’s best chance of the game fell to Harry Viggars on 62 mins. Latching onto Ejupi’s cross, the centre-back found space to control and shoot, but Malkowski pulled off an excellent save to preserve his side’s lead. From the resulting corner Jordan Emery’s effort was over the bar.
A counter-attack from a Seasiders corner on 72 mins saw sub Matt Antcliff get the better of his man down our left, but the resulting shot was against the side netting. Moments later, sub Charlie Marshall did well to create a chance when supplied by captain Dan Coupland, but his resulting effort was over the bar. Flatters saved a Dyer half-volley on 83 mins in a rare chance to make it 2-0, then late on after good work by Tweddle and Marshall down the left, sub Sam Cable was denied at close range by Malkowski and a defender in a sign that, once again, it wasn't to be our day. No more chances followed and the away side saw out the game to take three points back to the Yorkshire Coast. Three wins in four on the road now for Denny Ingram's side who go level on points with us.

The goals have dried up of late for The Miners who, whilst not being outclassed, need to rediscover the form of the early weeks of the season to avoid sliding further down the table. We have the chance to avoid a fourth straight defeat here in LS25 on Tuesday when bottom of the table neighbours Ossett United are the visitors (kick-off 7:45pm).