Phil Buxton scored his 2nd goal in two games to secure the points for AFC Mansfield 3 minutes from time. Before this it looked as if Garforth were going to frustrate Rudy Funk’s men after they had cancelled out an early lead on 5 minutes through Callum Lloyd with a Mark Simpson strike 10 minutes before half time.
In truth, this was always AFC Mansfield’s game to lose as they looked better in possession and had much more of the ball than their visitors. The Bulls were playing without a recognised striker and at times that sharpness in the box was missing. Jamie Yates delivered some superb crosses from the left and Mark Dudley and Jimmy Ghaichem work extremely hard down the left flank.
The Bulls went in front after 5 minutes a quick throw on the right found Ghaichem who fed Lloyd just outside the box. His first-time curling effort caught Paul Hagreen unawares and the ball sailed over his head and into the goal.
AFC continued to dominate the game but in a rare lapse of concentration 2 defenders missed chances to clear the ball and Mark Simpson, playing his 100th game for Garforth pounced on the loose ball to prod it past the advancing Dale Sheppard on 36 minutes.
A goalmouth scramble from a corner saw the ball blocked on the line after Hagreen had fumbled minutes later but pressure was relieved by the referee’s whistle for a foul on the keeper.
Both Matty Plummer and Captain Ghaichem fired over the bar while a Yates fierce effort was collected by Hagreen at the 2nd attempt. So, all to play for in the 2nd half as the teams went in all square at the break.
10 minutes into the restart saw Jack McMurrough go down under a challenge from Lloyd, the midfielder earning a booking but unfortunately the Garforth player was unable to carry on.
In a rare attack, Mitch Hamilton found space on the right but with just the goalkeeper to beat he stumbled and the chance was gone.
Buxton thought he had scored on 70 minutes when his close-range drive was turned over the bar by a defender. The man of the match then turned provider crossing for Lloyd whose effort was blocked by an increasingly pressurised Garforth defence.
Entering the final 10 minutes and substitute Simon Poole fire wide of the target.
Another excellent delivery from Yates found Buxton on 87 minutes. Buxton wriggled his way past 2 defenders before eventually firing past Hagreen from the edge of the 6-yard box.
Unlike the previous week at Parkgate, AFC held onto this lead and took the points. The Bulls have a quick turnaround when they visit Staveley MW on Wednesday with both teams having played the same games and have the same points only goal difference separates them. It should be a cracker.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Plummer, Dudley, Allott (Wilson 88), Timons, D’Laryea, Yates, Lloyd, Naylor (Karkach 82), Buxton, Ghaichem. Subs not used: Williams, Paling & Annable.
Garforth Town: Hagreen, Leach, Allsop (Kitson 66), Beaston (C), Donaghue, McCrum, McMurrough (Poole 57), Rose, Simpson (Hunter 79), Hamilton, Dhesi.
Sub not used: Turner
Referee: Mr Paul Buck (Long Eaton)
Assistants: Mr James Thornhill(Ilkeston) & Mr Kieran Shaw (Nottingham)
Attendance: 69
Supporters MoM: Phil Buxton