Report

The Colts entered a new season with a few new faces and many recognisable ones from the previous season. The fixture list also looked to be kind to Seacroft as they played Garforth Rangers at home in the season opener. The two previous encounters from last season had both being tight affairs but saw Seacroft come out with no points and this game turned out to be no different.

The visitors started brightly and had a few early shots which tested the handling of new Colts keeper Adam Boyne but the new number 1 was up to the task. The game then became slightly scrappy after that with both teams seemingly just hoofing the ball and at times playing head tennis.

Despite this the visitors always seemed to have the edge and mid-way through the first half confusion in the Colts defence allowed a clear shot from the edge of the area, which nestled in the far corner and left Boyne helpless as Garforth took a 1-0 lead.

Seacroft began the game with two small quick strikers in Matty and Josh Meah, but the height advantage of the opposition made it hard for the home side to penetrate anything going forward as score stood at 1-0 at half time.

Seacroft then put Danny Hicken up front who could match the opposition for height and cause a few more problems in the Garforth defence. This gave the Colts more of a cutting edge and made it very hard to tell where the next goal was coming from as both teams looked dangerous on the attack.

Then 15 minutes into the second half, another debutant in Tom Archer made a clumsy tackle in the area and Garforth were awarded a penalty. This was one of very few mistakes made by Tom and he was spared his blushes as man of the match elect Adam Boyne brilliant pounced to the left to save the spot kick and keep Seacroft hopes alive.

Both teams then went close after that as Adam was forced into a few more saves and Shane McCabe was denied by the Garforth keeper. The game was secured though with 5 minutes to go as the Garforth striker wasn’t closed down on the edge and his low shot squirmed into the corner and secured all 3 points for the visitors.

Despite this disappointing start there are a few positives the Colts can take forward into the next game. With only 6 teams in the league and most of them strong teams, there is no doubting Seacroft have made things tough with this start, but the only way is up from here for Andy and the team.