Curzon Ashton 0 Garforth Town 1: A BATTLING performance from the Blues was not enough to secure progression in the UniBond League’s Challenge Cup for Curzon, who were undone by a swift counter-attack in the dying minutes of the game.
It was a drab opening half-hour, with no real chances of note for either side.
The match sprung into life on the 31st minute though when Dominique Blair burst ito the Curzon box and appeared to have been brought down, only to see the referee wave play on.
The home side went straight down the other end of the pitch, Mike Norton flicking the ball onto Phil Edghill who rounded Luke Gibbons in the Garforth goal.
However, he was forced too far wide, and could only find the foot of the post with his low shot.
Soon after, it was the visitors striking the woodwork as pacy winger Jason St Juste saw his effort thud against the post.
There was more of the same after the break when Oliver Hotchkiss won the ball well in midfield before firing in a rasping drive, which cannoned back off the upright.
Curzon took control of the game for long periods after that, restricting Garforth mostly to long range efforts.
At the other end, a flowing move saw the ball laid off to Chris Worsley, who was unable to convert what looked a good chance.
On 82 minutes, centre-half Adam Jones got in on the act, running powerfully through the Garforth midfield, and unleashing a low drive, which Gibbons could not hold, only for the ball to be scrambled away for a corner.
Two last-ditch tackles within a couple of minutes on the edge of the six-yard box denied Norton, but with Curzon piling on the pressure, they were undone by a counter-attack with two minutes remaining.
Blair showed great pace down the left, crossing to the back post for the onrushing St Juste to steer his header past David Carnell.
Attendance: 55
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