Last Gasp Cup Agony For Town
Fri 16th April 2010 | Barnoldswick Town | By Ian Templeman
Barnoldswick Town's hopes of landing the West Riding FA Senior Cup for the first time were dashed by Garforth Town in a dramatic final on Wednesday night.
Town played their part in a thrilling game, but eventually lost 5-4 after extra time to their Unibond League opponents in a game played at the West Riding County FA headquarters.
Garforth went ahead in the 8th minute although Town players and supporters were adamant that the goal should not have stood. One of the Town defenders appeared to be fouled in the build up, before a shot hit the crossbar and landed at the feet of incoming striker Piper who tapped in from close range.
Garforth dominated the early stages but Town gradually crept back into the game and equalised after 29 minutes. From a corner kick the Garforth keeper tried to fist the ball clear but made a hash of it, and Spencer Jordan latched onto the loose ball, swivelling and shooting home in one movement.
But just before half time a Garforth shot from just outside the box saw the ball cannon off the foot of the post, and after hitting Carrington on the back, proceeded to roll along the line where once again a Garforth player was first to the ball, Pensby tapping home. 2-1 down at half time, worse was to come for Barnoldswick two minutes into the 2nd half when they conceded a third, a long ball to the far post finished well by Pensby, who grabbed his second with a header across goal into the far top corner.
The Town supporters feared the worst as Garforth poured forward to kill the game off, but on 61 minutes Neil Chapman beat the offside trap, and chipped over the advancing keeper into the net. Six minutes later Chapman bagged an equaliser to make it 3-3 and it was game on.
With just two minutes remaining of the 90 a long ball into the Town box saw a Garforth attacker go over in the box, and the linesman flagged immediately for a penalty. The spot kick was successfully converted by Greaves and Town looked down, but in the last minute a free kick was played deep into the Garforth box, and Stewart Airdrie rammed the ball home for an unlikely equaliser to send the game into extra time.
The scores remained level until the final minute of extra time when Garforth's Blair picked the ball up and moved forward before unleashing a shot that swerved in the air and went like an exocet into the top corner of the net, giving Carrington no chance and clinching a 5-4 victory on the night.
Speaking afterwards Barnoldswick captain Russell Clarke said: "Wednesday night was a true representation of Barnoldswick Town Football Club - the players' endeavour, the fans' commitment to the club, and the managers proud of all that has been achieved.
"Looking back on the cup run it is a remarkable feat, beating a side from three leagues above our own in the semi final (Guiseley), playing a Yorkshire side on a pitch that Lapland would have been proud of, and every squad member playing their part through injury or suspension or simply through merit.
"The desire of this team has gone from strength to strength. To be 3-1 down in a final and to turn it around against a team that is not only 2 leagues higher, but with a weekly wage bill that could arguably fund half our season, is quite an achievement. Â It is rare in football that you find a group of lads like the squad involved on Wednesday night. Â Honesty, dedication, passion, ability and hunger - these are just some of the words that can be associated with this team.
"And while it's hard to take defeat, the lads took it gracefully and knew they had pushed a team further than they thought they would go, only to be saved by a moment of magic in the dying minutes of extra time".
Town Programme Editor Peter Naylor said: "Where do we start with a match like that, there were talking points on the game all night. It was heartbreaking for the Town players as they were so close to penalties, but the winner was a goal worthy of winning any cup final. It hurts to have lost, but in reality the best team won on the night.
"A Garforth rep put a message on our website forum, saying that the players played some fantastic football and should be proud of themselves. He also praised our supporters, saying they were a credit to the club".
Last Gasp Cup Agony For Town
Fri 16th April 2010 | Barnoldswick Town
By Ian Templeman
Barnoldswick Town's hopes of landing the West Riding FA Senior Cup for the first time were dashed by Garforth Town in a dramatic final on Wednesday night.
Town played their part in a thrilling game, but eventually lost 5-4 after extra time to their Unibond League opponents in a game played at the West Riding County FA headquarters.
Garforth went ahead in the 8th minute although Town players and supporters were adamant that the goal should not have stood. One of the Town defenders appeared to be fouled in the build up, before a shot hit the crossbar and landed at the feet of incoming striker Piper who tapped in from close range.
Garforth dominated the early stages but Town gradually crept back into the game and equalised after 29 minutes. From a corner kick the Garforth keeper tried to fist the ball clear but made a hash of it, and Spencer Jordan latched onto the loose ball, swivelling and shooting home in one movement.
But just before half time a Garforth shot from just outside the box saw the ball cannon off the foot of the post, and after hitting Carrington on the back, proceeded to roll along the line where once again a Garforth player was first to the ball, Pensby tapping home. 2-1 down at half time, worse was to come for Barnoldswick two minutes into the 2nd half when they conceded a third, a long ball to the far post finished well by Pensby, who grabbed his second with a header across goal into the far top corner.
The Town supporters feared the worst as Garforth poured forward to kill the game off, but on 61 minutes Neil Chapman beat the offside trap, and chipped over the advancing keeper into the net. Six minutes later Chapman bagged an equaliser to make it 3-3 and it was game on.
With just two minutes remaining of the 90 a long ball into the Town box saw a Garforth attacker go over in the box, and the linesman flagged immediately for a penalty. The spot kick was successfully converted by Greaves and Town looked down, but in the last minute a free kick was played deep into the Garforth box, and Stewart Airdrie rammed the ball home for an unlikely equaliser to send the game into extra time.
The scores remained level until the final minute of extra time when Garforth's Blair picked the ball up and moved forward before unleashing a shot that swerved in the air and went like an exocet into the top corner of the net, giving Carrington no chance and clinching a 5-4 victory on the night.
Speaking afterwards Barnoldswick captain Russell Clarke said: "Wednesday night was a true representation of Barnoldswick Town Football Club - the players' endeavour, the fans' commitment to the club, and the managers proud of all that has been achieved.
"Looking back on the cup run it is a remarkable feat, beating a side from three leagues above our own in the semi final (Guiseley), playing a Yorkshire side on a pitch that Lapland would have been proud of, and every squad member playing their part through injury or suspension or simply through merit.
"The desire of this team has gone from strength to strength. To be 3-1 down in a final and to turn it around against a team that is not only 2 leagues higher, but with a weekly wage bill that could arguably fund half our season, is quite an achievement. Â It is rare in football that you find a group of lads like the squad involved on Wednesday night. Â Honesty, dedication, passion, ability and hunger - these are just some of the words that can be associated with this team.
"And while it's hard to take defeat, the lads took it gracefully and knew they had pushed a team further than they thought they would go, only to be saved by a moment of magic in the dying minutes of extra time".
Town Programme Editor Peter Naylor said: "Where do we start with a match like that, there were talking points on the game all night. It was heartbreaking for the Town players as they were so close to penalties, but the winner was a goal worthy of winning any cup final. It hurts to have lost, but in reality the best team won on the night.
"A Garforth rep put a message on our website forum, saying that the players played some fantastic football and should be proud of themselves. He also praised our supporters, saying they were a credit to the club".
