Heanor travelled to previously unbeaten Garforth Town expecting to continue their fine unbeaten start to this campaign, returning successful with a fine performance and maximum points to show for their effort. Starting the game with a shuffled starting line up, including Marc Strzyzewski as a defensive midfielder alongside Nick Hall, Heanor looked to get ahead early on.

Garforth set up with a number of attacking midfielders all switching position, making it difficult for the Heanor team to track their movement, this was until Gary Ricketts scored his third goal in four games, a superb pass by debutant and man of the match Ross Henshaw found Courey Grantham wide on the right, it was his pinpoint cross that the veteran forward rose and guided into the top corner with a powerful header.

Just two minutes later he should have doubled his tally, Shaw delivered a free kick from the half way line aimed towards Ross Henshaw. Henshaw ducked, the ball evaded Ben Hunter in Garforths goal and landed at Ricketts’ feet, his tame effort though being cleared off the line by a covering defender.

Heanor enjoyed a spell of dominance against the slick passing Garforth, the home team finding opportunity to strike at goal regularly but in being limited to long range efforts they seemed toothless. It was Heanor’s play that had the real bite, Sam Jones was the next Heanor player to narrowly miss the target; the hard working midfielder's flicked header didn’t test Hunter but gave the vocal travelling support a real head in hands moment.

On 34 minutes Strzyzewski saw his shot blocked and deflected for a corner, it was from this corner that Ricketts allegedly handled the ball, earning him a booking, it was controversial as the powerful play of Ricketts had made him a target for the harsh challenges and treatment of some brutal defenders.

The second half began with Heanor making an impact on the score line, young forward Courey Grantham took a touch of the pass from Ricketts, turned and then curled the ball into the top corner, firing across the goalkeeper from ten yards. Garforth created a number of passing sequences but undeniably were snuffed out by the superb work of the back four, along with Hall and Strzyzewski and their determination not to concede.

Grantham then headed wide on 66 minutes and Garforth's Jay Davis tested Ian Deakin with a fine effort on 72 minutes, he was very unlucky to see his drive from 25 yards flash past the near post. On 75 minutes it was two substitutes that nearly extended the lead, Josh Raven crossed the ball for Nathan Benger inside the six yard box, the Garforth defenders now being wise to the Heanor forwards charged the shot down, deflecting it for a corner.

The final moment of note came in the 86th minute, Courey Grantham, who had been excellent all afternoon, showed the other side of his temperament to earn a booking when he kicked the ball into the Garforth net long after the referee had blown up after the striker had been adjudged to be offside.

Overall a good result against an organised side, Heanor changed their formation slightly to prevent Garforths speedy passing and ultimately that proved successful in the winning of the 3 points.

Heanor: Deakin, Marriott (Raven 74), Shaw, Hawes, Henshaw, Strzyzewski, Grantham, Hall, Ricketts (Benger 54), Jones (Holmes 79), Piliero.

Subs not used: Baker, Brown.

Attendance: 100

Man of the match: Ross Henshaw

Next match: Athersley Recreation FC (away) Wednesday 27th August 7.45pm, coach leaves The Town Ground at 5pm - seats are £8 – book in the bar.

Hear the post-match podcast with Glen Clarence and Ross Henshaw HERE
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