It was a visit from the league leaders for Garforth Town this week, as an in-form Cleethorpes team arrived at the Bannister Prentice Stadium looking to extend their winning run to six. Garforth were aiming to carry on their playoff push after getting it back on track last time out with a 3-1 away win at Bradford Park Avenue.

After a scrappy opening few minutes and some late challenges from both sides, it was Cleethorpes who asserted early dominance on the game with some well sustained pressure on the Garforth defence. Garforth were able to repel the attacks with good aerial dominance as Harry Flatters commanded his box with assurance.

Cleethorpes were forced into an early change as defender Paul Walker could no longer continue and was replaced by Joe Stacey.

The momentum soon switched as Garforth became the team on the front foot with Harry Viggars firing just over from inside the box after a well worked short corner landed at his feet.

Tempers flared around the 23rd minute as Garforth captain Dan Coupland was the first name into the referee’s book after a body check right in front of the Cleethorpes dugout. Garforth’s Jay Davis came the closest to scoring soon after a 25 yard strike went just past the outside of the post, hitting the stanchion behind.

Cleethorpes’ Daniel Gallimore was the next to be booked after he was beaten all ends up by Charlie Marshall on the touchline, resorting to bringing the winger down right in front of the referee.

Charlie Marshall remained well involved in the game after he dispossessed the Cleethorpes defender, sending him through on goal, but he was only able to drag his shot wide of the left hand post.

Cleethorpes soon had their best chance of the game after a cross was misjudged by Flatters, which was then cut back to the penalty spot but was denied by some heroic Garforth defending on the goal line.

The first half ended just as it had started with some unrelenting Cleethorpes pressure, but Garforth were able to remain defensively sound to go into the break at 0-0.

Just as Cleethorpes had in the first half, Garforth were forced into a substitution early on in the second half as Alex Zachariou collided with the advertising board, resulting in him being replaced by Freddy Jefferys.

The deadlock was broken soon after as Cleethorpes were able to string some well worked passes together, resulting in a great strike from captain Bradley Abbott who found the bottom corner beating a full stretch Harry Flatters from just inside the box.

The goal seemed to knock the wind out of Garforth’s sails as Cleethorpes went on to dominate the next 15 minutes with Garforth finding it harder to break down the resolute defence of Cleethorpes. The Garforth counter attacks that had been working well in the first half were now becoming less effective due to Cleethorpes being more reserved in the amount of men they sent forward.

The tackles continued to fly in from both teams with Garforth and Cleethorpes players receiving bookings for late challenges.

Garforth’s best chance of the second half so far came from substitute Ewan Gregson who cut inside from the right wing and delivered a wicked cross which ended up just a few inches from Sam Cables' head, running through to Oliver Battersby in the Cleethorpes goal without troubling him.

Just as Garforth started to gain hope of a comeback, Cleethorpes were able to start playing it around a tired looking home side and after some fine touch and go passes, it was Cleethorpes striker Joshua Walker who tucked in the finish just before stoppage time to send the away side home with all 3 points.

Garforth will be happy with parts of the game as they were more than able to go toe-to-toe with the league leaders, but the quality of Cleethorpes and especially their midfield proved enough to see out their 4th away win in 4 away games.