Town started the match against Garforth Rangers looking for their first win of the season. Despite kicking up the slope and against the wind the match was tight and keenly contested. Rothwell struggled to clear their lines against the wind and up the slope but the defensive partnership held well and were supported strongly by Harry Caton & Jacob Bues. Sam Mulvaney playing at left back got into advanced positions a number of times to trouble the Garforth defence and force a good number of corners. Harry Caton hit a thunderous half volley from outside the area following one of the corners, but his shot didn’t make it through crowd to trouble the net.
Garforth got the breakthrough with 15 minutes on the clock when a long ball from the keeper fooled everyone and was chased down by the Rangers attacker and steered past an on rushing Jacob in goal. Just minute’s later Town were awarded a free kick just outside the area which Liam King stepped up to take and despite hitting it well the Garforth wall did its job. 5 minutes later the game got turned on a contentious decision from the referee who awarded a penalty to the home team after the ball bounced up from Jacob Bues foot and brushed his hand. Further controversy followed when the penalty was taken and hit straight at Jacob Murray who held onto it, but the referee decided that the players had encroached and ordered a re take, which this time was hit well and the score was 2-0. The Town boys were visible annoyed and tried to steady themselves, but another long ball was chased down and despite Jacob Murray claiming the ball bravely the Garforth striker who was not flagged offside challenged heavily and the ball squirmed into the net and Jacob was left on the floor clutching an injured foot. Confusion then followed when the referee appeared not to give the goal after checking the keepers fitness. Players coaches and spectators were still unsure if the ‘goal’ stood until the referee was asked and he confirmed it was a goal. At half time the 3-0 score line flattered the home team and said as much about the refereeing performance as it did about the football played.
Rothwell responded brightly in the second half and using the advantage of the slope to put pressure on the defence. Liam appeared to have beaten the offside trap on a few occasions only for the referee to blow his whistle. At the other end the linesman flag was ignored as Garforth broke forward but again the ever increasing defensive partnership of Michael and Oliver managed to stop the attack from threatening. Town got back into the game when a goal mouth scramble ended with the ball in the net, Liam King once again had a hand in the finish. Nearing the end of the match Rothwell pushed forward to try and get back in the game and despite a number of good efforts and some great runs from Arnie on the left & Liam on the right, Town couldn’t increase there goal count and were hit with a sucker punch to make the final score 4-1.
“Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure.” George E Woodbury
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