2 Killers in the Mist

A foggy cold November day will greet the players as they enter the field of play. Garforth Town are the visitors and start the game in a similar position to the Boro in the league. Boro need a win to keep sight of the top half of the table. The ref needs sight of the two goal posts from the half way line before the game can start. Mr Gittens is happy and Radcliffe kick off down the slope towards the Pilkington Road end. They will be missing their influential centre half Craig Dawson through injury. Adam Roscoe starts up front .
Town see the boro box when lee Connell fails to hold on to the ball in the centre circle and Garforth turn to release Dominic Blair but the ball is long and out. Boro defend in the first 5 with Michael Oates looking solid. The visitors start the game well but largely play in front of the backline. Radcliffe are in the game after Martyn Forrest supplying a good ball into the feet of Roscoe, he doesnt improve the chance but lays it up nice for Chappell he sends a great cross back in for Roscoe who meets the ball well with the head but sends it just past the angle and out. Town break well and Andrew Hayward will need to be restrained throughout as he looks the liveliest of all. Roscoe is winning everything in the air, his co- workers will not have much joy if they are not to his left or right , he will need to remain central and allow the scraps to be taken up by Chappell and Fitzpatrick. Blair is stronger than Chappell as Garforth set twice but can not find a path to goal. Si Kelly shows good composure to move the play forward and plays his way through the midfield to the edge of the visitors box, he as no outlet and the move ends. Phil priestley is handling well with crosses coming out of the foggy gloom. Jaston St Juste shows his pace and outstrips Oates and Kelly on the flank to find a good position, he crosses badly and the ball goes over the stand. Garforth are leading the charge. When Mark Jones is fouled by Blair , Sampsons free kick is too long and sums up Boro's lack of attacking ideas. Boro are playing patiently across the back to build up momentum but this often ends up with a ball launched to long by Unsworth. Mixing it up short into midfield or creeping forward looking for gaps may be an option. When it is possible to see open play it is restricted to a series of hopeful crosses and long range work that will see both sides going into the dressing rooms without chalking up any goals or clear cut chances.The only chance of note is when again playing across the back Martyn Forrest's intended pass to Unsworth is short and St Juste gathers lines up a shot that goes down the throat of Priestly. Fozzy is relieved. The half ends with the fog being the main talking point.

The second half opens with a free kick that Sampson floats on to Roscoe who heads to the keepers chest. From the club house terrace it is now very difficult to see the dugouts and following play closely is impossible. The game is now a spot the ball competition, Garforth win it and start to up their game. They are caught offside twice in five minutes and look dangerous. Roscoe wins another in the air the ball is cleared for the throw and Lee Connell picks up the loose to bring a good block out of Wilkinson on the edge of the d. Just before the hour Town half time sub Rowan is set free and drives to the edge of the boro box, he does well to get a strong shot away that Priestley matches and holds well. More action now from both sides , Garforth pressure Boro in the box and on 59 minutes Brett renshaw puts them in front with a pass into the net after a scramble in front of goal. Garforth fans warm thier hands. From the kick off they come again Kelly tests Unsworth who concedes a corner , the header just over the bar is the result. Howson joins the game for Chappell.He combines well with Sampson who sends in a cross that is cleared. Town move upfield quickly and with two good passes find Hayward on the D , he rounds Priestley easily and doubles the lead, two killer goals inside 6 minutes. Boro puff and pant but cant get the ball to move , Garforth want a clean sheet and look to get one as Boro see no sight of goal. Howson is making is mark and Roscoe continues to win in the air, but no clear cut chances to date. Fitzpatrick steps up to take a well positioned free kick on 75 minutes but hits the wall and the chance goes. The team have not played well showing little of the football we have seen so far this season. Griff Jones is introduced and as a go straight away, Oates is off and Boro need to attack. Gaforth look likely to increase the lead as Boro push. Midfield as largely been missing today with Mark Jones restricted to recovering tackles and marking rather than creating. He goes into the book harshly after he catches Nathan Kamara, who,s over the top reaction swayed the ref. Around the ground and in the clubhouse the day looked to be a success with a lot of new faces with kids accompanied by dads enjoying the best pie and peas in the unibond, the sponsors box was full , the pitch looked in great nick. It is often said success on the pitch is brought on by the efforts off it, today was not the case in what was a poor team outing, spoiled maybe by the fog it was a poor game in general. With only 5 wins from 15, out of all but one cup, a gathering of the Boro clan is needed to stay in the hunt for a top half finish. Too many players did not play to full potential today and home defeats are mounting. Salford look doomed after another heavy defeat at home today, them aside we would be in a relegation fight.

Next week is another game and being a football fan i believe it will be the start of a 15 game unbeaten run!
see you soon