Athersley Recreation earn deserved win at Garforth Town

Athersley captain Ryan White on the ball

Garforth Town 1-2 Athersley Recreation

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Match Photos are HERE

Garforth Town head coach Graham Nicholas revealed his frustrations after watching his side get outmuscled by an organised Athersley Recreation team in the feisty Toolstation NCEL Premier Division encounter.
First half goals from Lee Bennett and Simon Chadburn gave Garforth a mountain to climb and despite a second half Tawanda Rupere strike, which gave the Miners hope, Athersley held on.
Nicholas, a former Athersley coach, was angry with his team’s performance and claimed his side were not up for the game.
“I’m disappointed with the preparation because the players aren’t fit enough and the team is unbalanced as we are missing key players,” he said.
“Today we had no desire and that’s what it comes down to in one word – desire. Athersley have a winning mentality and they have earned the right to win the game. They work for each and have that togetherness and the desire to win games.

Not going to plan: Graham Nicholas

“When I say preparation I mean people not getting here on time and not turning up for training.
“Like I say, you try and prepare and I know what Athersley Rec is all about and at training I can show them what weaknesses they have and how to exploit them, but (when people don’t turn up) it is mission impossible and you’re banging head against a brick wall.
“The second half performance was an improvement, but in the first half we conceded two very poor goals.
“We had three men around the ball for the first goal and they’re looking at it and they let him walk through and score. The second goal was a set-piece which they are always dangerous from and we weren’t picking up like for like.”
Garforth were without injured trio Nick Black, Logan McDaniel and Liam Smith, along with winger Stephen Simpson due to work commitments and their absences contributed to one of the flattest displays of the campaign so far.



Garforth midfielder Anthony Hilton was unlucky with a top corner bound strike early on which Darren Shirt’s turned over the crossbar – arguably the save of the match.
But, after that, Athersley took control with former Ossett Albion midfielder Ryan White pulling the strings in midfield. White was magnificent in the middle of the park, winning every tackle and preventing a Garforth attack on every occasion.
Garforth though had only themselves to blame for the first goal. Ex Glasshoughton forward Lee Bennett was allowed room to waltz into the box and fire a shot past Karl Martens.
More poor defending followed with Garforth failing to properly organised themselves for a corner. From the right-side, Joe Thornton’s kick flew into the box and the unmarked Chadburn headed home.
Whilst Athersley didn’t create much, their workmanlike display allowed them to control the game. Garforth didn't create much and should have scored 11 minutes into the second half, one of their few chances.

Connor Bower

Connor Bower, recently released from Bradford City, latched onto a cross at the backpost and instead of taking the ball down to the ground, the winger chose to volley it and the ball sailed over the crossbar. Athersley then almost sealed the win when Thornton raced clear of the Garforth defence. Martens was quick to race out of his goal and did enough for the winger to place his shot wide of the goal.
On the hour, Garforth were fortunate to score through Rupere’s tap-in, but no spectacular comeback was ever forthcoming. Shirt only had to make one real save from Stohrer.
With White marshalling his team, Athersley were able to comfortably hold on for a deserved three points which lifts them to fourth in the table.
Garforth Town: Martens, Stohrer (captain), Hawksworth, Allen, Boland, Hilton, Rupere, Greenhalgh (Bishop HT), Cartman, Lyle (Booker 57), Bower (Helliwell 78). Subs unused: Newell, Ellis.
Athersley Recreation: Shirt, Chadburn, Cook, Blackburn, Briscoe (Welford 67), R White (captain), Scargill, A White, Bentley (Roberts 76), Bennett (Cartwright 61), Thornton. Subs unused: Thompson, Harban.
Referee: M Connell (Castleford)
Attendance: TBC
Man of the match: Ryan White (Athersley Recreation)