Garforth Town head coach Graham Nicholas to trim squad after Farsley AFC defeat

Aiden Savory (right) congratulates Lee Ellington on his first goal

Garforth Town 1-3 Farsley AFC

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Match Photos are HERE

Garforth Town head coach Graham Nicholas will swing his axe on underperforming players this week following a pre-season friendly defeat to Farsley AFC at Wheatley Park.

Nicholas was furious with the second half capitulation that could have easily led to a heavier defeat if goalkeeper Dominic Smith hadn’t made a number of top saves.

Although Garforth did take the lead through Connor Bower’s wonder goal, Farsley dominated the match and two goals from Lee Ellington and a James Riley header secured the victory.

Garforth head coach Graham Nicholas

Nicholas said: “The players that are going to be signed on performed very well for me, but they are playing with some players that I think are cheating themselves.

“They shouldn’t be here and they won’t be here after that performance.

“I’m not happy at all. I know we played higher opposition, but I’m asking the players to do some roles and responsibilities. In training they understood those roles and obviously they can’t apply it in games. I’m fuming at that result.

“We’ve done attacking drills in training, but to apply them you have to have the right attacking players. In midweek I was let down by a couple of players because they had work commitments, but when those players come in, I’m more confident that performances and the results will improve.”

Farsley’s status as an Evo Stik Division One North club showed and Aiden Savory almost put the visitors ahead early-on with fine strike that cannoned back off the post.

As the half-hour mark approached, on their first real attack, Garforth scored against the run of play. Bower held off former Guiseley right-back Anthony Lloyd in the corner of the penalty area and then lifted the ball up before volleying the ball high in the air and into the bottom corner – goalkeeper Tom Morgan did not have a chance of stopping it.  

Garforth celebrate Connor Bower's wonder goal

Farsley didn’t deserve to be behind and quickly levelled matters. Savory saw a thunderous effort tipped over the crossbar and from the corner Riley headed past Smith.

The second half continued at Farsley’s pace, but Garforth were inviting trouble by playing with a high defensive line that Ellington and Savory made easy meat of exposing.

Ten minutes into the second half, Ellington was able to get in between two Garforth defenders to poke the ball past Smith and put Farsley ahead for the first time in the game.

Ellington went close with two headers before Farsley were awarded a penalty with ten minutes left on the clock after a foul on captain Robbie O’Brien. Ellington converted it.

Dominic Smith denies Aiden Savory

Further chances followed for Farsley. English Colleges star Jarrod Smalley broke through and was only denied a goal on his debut because of a fantastic save by Smith.

Ellington then nearly turned provider when his superb weighted pass sent Savory away. Smith denied the striker again with fourth save from a one-on-one situation.

Farsley now have a ten day break before welcoming Bradford Park Avenue to Throstle Nest on August 10^th, while Garforth host Worsbrough Bridge on Tuesday night.

Garforth Town: Dominic Smith, Moise Misambu, Josh Greenhaigh, Senio Bubacar Cadsama Conte, Nick Allen, Chris Ndukuba, Marko Baldelli, Jack McMurrough, Nick Black, Viktor Balis, Connor Bower. Subs: Ben Jackson, Taran Jheeta, Josh Hemingham, Brandon Dube, Alex Booker, Jack Kirk.

Farsley AFC: Morgan, Lloyd, Serrant, Young, Riley, O’Neil, Hull, Mallory, Ellington, Savory, Thompson. Subs: O’Brien, Miller, James, Etherington, Smalley, Higginson.

Referee: M Dywer

Man of the match: Lee Ellington (Farsley AFC)