Swans narrowly lose out to resilient Garforth Town

Barton Town came away from Garforth Town empty handed, but it wasn’t for lack of trying at the Bannister Prentice Stadium.

Two goals in two minutes from Sam Barker and Charlie Marshall put the hosts ahead before Tom Waudby pulled one back for the Swans. Charlie Barkway restored Garforth’s two goal lead before Waudby missed a penalty for the Swans. Ben Hinchliffe scored with two minutes to go to set up a nervy finish but the hosts held on.

Josh Lacey missed his first game of the season due to injury, Nathan Hotte was deployed at centre half with Henry Cook deputising in midfield. New signing Brett Agnew was on the bench alongside the returning Craig King.

The Swans started the brighter, with Tait’s cross almost beating Toby Wells at the back post in the first minute. The resulting corner saw Cable’s header cleared off the line by a Garforth defender.

Ten minutes into the game and the Swans were on the attack. Hinchliffe was brought down in what looked to be well inside the penalty area. However the referee blew for a Swans free kick, much to the bemusement of most inside the ground.

Tom Waudby burst forward on the 15 minute mark, bringing the ball into the area he turned and laid it off to Tait. The cross was met by the head of Cable but he couldn’t get it on target and it went over.

Garforth then had an excellent chance to take the lead when James Burgess prodded the ball past Musselwhite but Tait was on hand to clear it off the line for the Swans. The hosts would soon have their lead however.

25 minutes in some neat passing from Garforth in and around the area saw Sam Barker shoot from the left side of the area and the ball rolled into the bottom right corner to put the hosts ahead. The Swans again made to pay for missed chances.

Two minutes later Scott Matthews lost the ball high up the pitch and Garforth broke. The ball was played to Charlie Marshall. He closed in on goal and lifted it over Musselwhite with a neat lob. The hosts now two goals up in as many minutes.

It was almost three when Barker Cruyff turned his defender and shot but Musselwhite pulled off an excellent save.

Five minutes before half time Tom Waudby ran into the area, and shot from the right side. His shot rolled into the bottom left corner and halved the deficit. His 14th goal of the season.

Just before the break a strong challenge on a Barton player wasn’t given by the referee, a challenge from Tom Waudby seconds later was given. Swans assistant Danny North was sent to the stands and Hinchliffe was sin-binned when questioning the call.

The second half began like the first, the temporarily ten-men Barton came out stronger. Will Waudby’s header from a Coley free kick was saved by Wells. Garforth were then awarded a free kick when Burgess was brought down. The free kick was curled over the bar.

A Matthews corner fell to Tom Waudby, but he drilled his effort into the side netting. New signing Brett Agnew was then introduced in place of Cable. A few minutes later the Scotsman headed over a cross from Tait.

With 15 minutes to go and the Swans chasing the game, Garforth scored another. A free kick from the right was headed in by Jamie Barkway, who’d made a handful of appearances for the Swans in the 2018/19 season.

King was then introduced in place of Will Waudby and almost instantly pulled one back when his excellent curling shot was well stopped by Wells.

A cross came in and the defender was deemed to be holding Agnew back, with the referee pointing to the spot. Tom Waudby stepped up but his spot kick was saved by Wells. The keeper having an excellent game.

With two minutes to go the Swans were back in the game when Hinchliffe slotted it under Wells to set up a tense finish with Barton needing an eqauliser.

Unfortunately the third Barton goal never came, despite the best efforts of the attack. A hard working display with Barton coming up just short. A strong Garforth team with an excellent goalkeeper taking the three points.

Post Match Interview