The Bulls slipped to their 1st defeat in 7 games against a hardworking Garforth team. Without influential players Ryan Williams and Gary Bradshaw AFC Mansfield were forced to shuffle the pack. Back came Grant Allott into the side after missing the last 2 games and also a start for Danny Naylor who had also missed Tuesday night’s game.
Both teams came away feeling aggrieved by the referee who managed to book 8 players in a game that hardly warranted it and I am sure he will have had better games than the performance we witnessed today.
Danny Naylor had the 1st chance of the game after 9 minutes a dipping effort that beat Paul Magreen in the Garforth goal but also cleared the bar. Naylor tried his luck again 2 minutes later again wide of the target.
The Bulls suffered a blow on 15 minutes when Joe Austin came off with a slight concussion after a clash of heads to be replaced by Mark Dudley.
Lee Tuner fired wide from the edge of the box as the home side threatened and at the other end Grant Allott headed wide with just the keeper to beat on 25 minutes.
A short back pass from Chris Timons let in No 8 but his effort was always going wide. Hamilton nearly doubled the home sides lead just before the break when he raced past 3 defenders and hit a 12 yard effort that Jason White turned around the post.
It wasn’t until around the hour mark that the visitors recorded an effort on goal in the 2nd half. This was a blocked effort from Karkach after he had hesitated giving the defender the time to block. A minute later and Ollie Fearon raced clear his low drive going inches past the post with Magreen beaten in the Garforth goal.
A cross from Fearon was headed back across goal and Karkach headed home only to see the flag go up for offside in another disappointing decision from the officials.
The home side adopted an Alamo style of defence for the final 10 minutes with Allott and Fearon going close. But it wasn’t to be and Garforth gained 3 hard fought points.
AFC Mansfield: White, Austin (Dudley 15), Plummer, Allott, Timons (C), D’Laryea, Karkach, Patterson, Fearon, Naylor (Annable 70), Ghaichem (Madin 78). Subs not used: Nicholson & Wright.
Referee: Mr Andrew Williams
Assistants: Mr Matt Cottingham & Mr Leo Howard.
Attendance: 103
MoM: Jon D’Laryea
