Knaresborough were “brilliant” – Stansfield

Paul Stansfield thought his Knaresborough were “brilliant” in the 1-1 draw with Garforth, but got “giddy” when chasing a second goal

Paul Stansfield described Knaresborough Town’s display in the 1-1 draw with Garforth Town as “brilliant”.

Knaresborough recovered from a poor start to score their first goal of the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division season in the match at Manse Lane. 

Town fully deserved their equaliser from Luke Harrop midway through the second half and the only disappointment for Stansfield was that his side did not go onto win it.

“I thought we were excellent apart from the first 15 minutes where the direct ball over the top caused us real problems,” Stansfield told Non League Yorkshire.

“They had three good chances and we were a bit all over the place. Once we settled we were the better team.

“The long ball is a bit agricultural, but it worked and they turned it with a bit of quality and Garforth have lads upfront who are willing run in behind you.

“We just needed to pull our full-backs in a little bit and once as we did and didn’t isolate our centre-halves, I thought we were brilliant. I’m so proud of the players.

“We were really strong at the end of the first half and we didn’t want the whistle to go. We were creating chances and they were asking for half-time so they could regroup.

“We carried on where we left off in the second half and I was saying that on the side-lines that ‘its coming, it’s coming’. We got the goal and Garforth were shattered, but I think we lost our shape. 

“You get a bit giddy when you score don’t you and we started running here, there and everywhere. That’s what we did instead of keeping our shape, hitting our wide men and getting it in behind them.

“We lost our way after the equaliser, that’s fair comment. We did hit the bar and we got the ball in decent areas, but we gave it away. The last ten minutes kind of petered out which suited them.

“On the balance of play we were the better side. Garforth will look at three chances they missed and I’m sure Rob (Hunter) will have a different take on it to me. I don’t think a draw was a fair result, I think we should have won it.”

Knaresborough host title favourites Yorkshire Amateur on Saturday.

3 thoughts on “Knaresborough were “brilliant” – Stansfield

  1. I thought that it was a fair result , imo Knaresborough were not the better team , the 1st half was pretty even , and Knaresborough put us under more pressure 2nd half , but Garforth fully deserved their point

    1. How can he describe our football as agricultural , we stared with Simmo , Shaun and Adam upfront ,plenty of skill and movement there

    2. i wouldnt describe our football as a bit agricultural , we started off with Shaun , Simmo and Adam upfront , plenty of skill and movement in there

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