Match Recap: Rainworth 2 - 2 Garforth Town

Garforth Town travelled to Rainworth in really good spirits after coming away with a win last time round against Worksop. And they couldn’t have started the game any better when after just 1 minute and 19 seconds, Mark Simpson gave The Miners the lead at 1-0. But this didn’t last long as Rainworth rallied and scored the equalizer on the 8th minute. It became clear this game was going to be an enthralling one. However, the home side took the lead not long after they equalized. This provided Garforth with the kick up the bum that they needed. Calum Ward’s effort went just wide and then Simpson had a goal ruled for offside.

The second goal came for Garforth thanks to a fine team move by the away side and this resulted in Dan Coupland sticking the ball into the back of the net. The Rainworth keeper was injured and had to come off, their left-back reverted to keeper. Rainworth suddenly went forward and saw an effort go just wide. The game was so open and the point was proved when Garforth saw an effort denied by the new Rainworth keeper. Then at the other end, Pete Lawrie did magnificently well to stop the ball hitting the back of the net. Once again, Garforth came forward and an ambitious chip by Ward went over. The ball wasn’t going in! Mitch Hamilton got hurt on the stroke of half-time, the substitution for him was announced but he got up and carried on until half-time but this only came after 53 minutes of the first half was played!

Half-time soon came and went and the boys went back onto the field hoping to unlock the Rainworth defence once again. Matthew Savage replaced Hamilton after he couldn’t carry on. Rainworth started the second half well and came close to scoring but again, their effort went just wide. Then Ward went to strike the ball down the other end but the home defence cleared the ball.

Soon afterwards a vital moment came in the game when a straight red was shown to a Rainworth player. This enabled Garforth to press and press for the elusive goal but it wasn’t forthcoming. Then a bizarre incident happened (Garforth have seen plenty of those happen over the last few weeks!) when the referee booked Coupland for some reason. No idea why, but this ended up with two other Garforth players booked for dissent, Jack McMurrough and Luke Kitson. Not long after, Kitson was replaced by Sean Hunter and Garforth continued to go forward for the winner. Coupland and Ward both had great chances to win but in the end, the away side had to settle for a point. Full time score was 2-2.

Garforth Town are still unbeaten and will be looking to get back to winning ways in the next game. UP THE MINERS!

Editor’s Note: Big thanks to Maz Brown (@LeedsUNITEDMaz) for providing another match recap of one of Leeds United’s local non-League neighbors, Garforth Town If Leeds are out of town or not playing one weekend, and you’d like to see a football match in an affordable, family friendly environment, check out Garforth Town. The Miners also host the Leeds United Ladies at their home ground, so they’re part of the “extended” Leeds family. Support grassroots football, go check out a non-League match every now and again.