Venue: The Town Ground, Heanor, Derbyshire
Competition: NCEL Cup Round 2
Scorers:
Lions - Nathan Benger (15)
Garforth - Jay Davis (5, 82), Nick Black (18, 69), Tawanda Rupere (39)
Referee: Alix Pashley
Line-ups ( if only every team provided one of these!!)
This was a real upset - league leaders Heanor were taught a lesson in how to attack a shaky back line - hopefully it will be a lesson learned. The home team seemed a little lack-lustre from the start, and it was no surprise when Garforth took the lead after just 8 minutes. The goal from Jay Davis was a simple tap in from close range after Sam Akeroyd had been given acres of space to run down the right and cross.
The goal seemed to shake off some of the home team's malaise, and they were level on 15, Nathan Benger turning well inside the box and firing wide of keeper Ben Hunter.
The away team restored their advantage in the 18th minute. Josh Raven tried to pass the ball back to Ian Deakin, but was woefully short, allowing Nick Black to nip in and chip the ball over the helpless keeper.
Turner was having an inspired night in the Garforth net, his superb tip over from a 20th minute Benger pile-driver just one of many saves he pulled off throughout the game.
Heanor handed Garforth another goal with 6 to go before the break, this time a ball back to Deakin was intercepted by Tawanda Rupere, the no.7 stealing in to nod home. H-T 1-3
Heanor pressed to try and get back in the game as the second period progressed, and replaced Jared Holmes and Gerry Moran with Nick Hall and Gary Ricketts to try and add a little something to the Heanor game. Turner was kept busy as the Lions roared forward, but no matter how they tried, there was no way past the solid defence and standout keeper.
The all out attack did leave plenty of room at the back for counter-attacks, and Heanor were caught out on 69 when a though ball split the home defence and picked out Nick Black, who raced into the box before calmly slotting past Deakin.
The rout was completed with 8 minutes left to play, another ball was fired down the left channel and when Deakin rushed out to try and clear the danger, Jay Davis reached the ball first and delicately lobbed it over the keeper from the corner of the box. Superb finish - probably the best goal of the lot. F-T 1-5
Admission: £3.00 (concession)
Programme: £1.00
Attendance: 148
MOM: Ben Turner
Charity: £4.50
