North Ferriby VS Garforth Town

North Ferriby FC 0 Garforth Town 1

North Ferriby returned to football action four months after their last game in a friendly against Garforth Town a week ahead of their FA Vase replay with Seaham Red Star. It was a chance for the Villagers to get some mileage in their legs after such a long lay off as they took on Town who play in the division above.

You could tell there was a large element of rustiness in the early exchanges as both sides tried hard to gain some rhythm but to no avail. It took most of the first half before either side created any real clear cut chances but this was, for Ferriby at least, a game after just two training sessions.

Garforth had the first real chance on 19 minutes when Levi Tarbotton lost possession for Sam Barker to find James Burgess but his shot was well blocked by Joel Shortland. Four minutes later the visitors went close again when Charlie Marshall looked to be in on goal but for a copybook tackle from Ferriby skipper Niall Tilsley.

Tilsley then also came close to opening the scoring when the home side were given a free kick wide on the left for Danny Emerton to swing the ball in. It took a good punch by Town keeper Toby Wells off the centre back’s head to stop him connecting with the ball for a goal.

Garforth got a free kick eight minutes from half-time when Tilsley took down Barker but the long range shot from centre back Sam Denton went wide.  Down the other end, from a Liam Nelthorpe corner there was a goalmouth scramble in the Town area as both Danny East and Tarbotton tried to poke the ball home before Wells got his hands on the ball.

After half-time wholesale changes it was Garforth who took the lead when the Ferriby defence were left somewhat napping three minutes into the second half. The ball started with Marshall who interchanged with Burgess and his return pass to Marshall saw the winger fire a low shot past Lewis Exall for what would be the only goal of the game.

Ferriby exerted pressure of their own as Danny Buttle raced sown the left wing to deliver a great cross for Iwan Heeley. Sadly the midfielder took a swing at the ball and it went high and wide. Heely then had a long shot but was again off target but the game then returned to defensive mode with limited chances. 

Ferriby: Jordan Douglas, Liam Nelthorpe, Laurence McKay, Levi Tarbotton, Niall Tilsley, Joel Shortland, Danny Emerton, Louis Kirk, Joe McFadyen, Danny East, Tom Corner Subs: (All used) Iwan Heeley, Lewis Exall, Danny Buttle, Ben Leyland, Eddie Rogerson, Tyler Hamilton, Josh Dennett, Jamie Forrester

Garforth Town: Toby Wells, Sam Leach, Fergus McAughtrie, Karl Fitzgerald, Sam Denton, Jamie Barkway, Charlie Marshall, Dan Coupland, James Burgess, Sam Barker, Joe Colley Subs: (All used) Lee Turner, Aaron Burn, Joe Smith, Helmo Silva, Dramane Coulibaly, Nick Hutton

Goal: Marshall (48)

Referee: Matty Wright