It wasn’t to be for Rossington in the Northern Counties East League Premier play-off semi-final as Ben Hunter’s side just missed out after a penalty defeat to The Miners.

In what was an evenly balanced and tense semi-final contest in front of around 1,000 spectators, the game was decided from the spot as Garforth won 4-2 on penalties.

The play-off semi-final kickstarted in West Yorkshire with both sides pushing forward in the opening ten minutes in front of a packed out Bannister Prentice Stadium. The hosts looked to have the first threatening opportunity which came on the counterattack as the ball was played over to Charlie Marshall however, some relentless and brilliant tracking back by Harry Sheppeard saw Rosso escape any danger and win the ball back.

After Sheppeard then won a free-kick up the other end which was whipped in by Cody Prior to secure Rosso a corner, Ross Hannah came close at the near post with a header which just finished wide of the far post.

Two minutes after the half-hour mark struck, Liam King almost caused Harry Flatters a scare in-goal for Garforth as Rosso’s number four executed a lifted shot from outside of the box but just missed the target and finished narrowly over the wrong side of the crossbar.

After the hosts won a corner, Rosso’s shot-stopper made a solid save down the middle as Dexter Ball’s low-driven attempt from range for Garforth went through multiple heads before being halted by Jim Pollard.

Pollard then came to the rescue at the back post with a vital hand after a Garforth free-kick and corner kick however despite an additional one minute of added time at the end of the first-half, the scoreline remained goalless at the halfway stage.

After the break of which Hannah was switched for Lewis Archer, Garforth appealed for a penalty but nothing was given only some brilliant defending from Sheppard and subsequently Rossington was awarded a goal kick.

Substitute Archer almost broke the deadlock on the 71 minute against the run of play only for his effort to narrowly deflect and miss the bottom corner to earn Rossington a corner of kick, of which Garforth then cleared their lines well.

The Miners almost delivered a wonder-goal rattling the crossbar from long-range but with the seconds counting down, there was to be no regular time goal and of which the tie headed straight to the spot.

In front of a noisy Garforth end and despite both King and Owen Eames converting, Rosso’s Non-League step 5 campaign was to come to a close as The Miners would end on the favourable side of a 4-2 penalty shootout score at the Bannister Prentice Stadium.

ROSSO XI: Pollard (GK), Sheppeard, Allen (57’ Eames), King (C), Hough, Langton, Sherburn (82’ Grayson), Harrison, Kianga, Hannah (46’ Archer), Prior.

Unused Substitutes: Nelthorpe, Parkin.