Stanningley have entered into the last quarter of the season handily placed in second position in Garforth Division 2, with promotion at stake, the pressure is starting to build in the games and so it proved today. Albion though have faced this before in previous seasons and are well equipped to deal with it though they could only wonder how they made such hard work of beating a resolute Garforth Rangers side who currently languish second to bottom of the league. Stanningley started without 5 regular first team players and the new look side took time to gel, the red and blacks had the vast majority of possession and pounded the Rangers goal only to be rebuffed by heroic defending and superb goalkeeping from the rookie Rangers custodian. Noonan rattled the bar with a rasping drive though Albion were wasteful with other chances they created – and they were plentiful, yet they went in at half time after a speculative Rangers shot caught the wind and dipped over stand in keeper Smith from 25 yards. Albion had a frank discussion and came out more determined in the second half, Laird, Hardaker and Noonan probed from midfield but could not find the key to unlock the Rangers defence. Harrison then broke free on the left, cut inside and sent a sweet finish into the far corner to restore parity, which eased Stanningley’s nerves, Albion became far more coherent and Noonan again warmed the Rangers keeper’s hand from 20 yards before the keeper made his single mistake as he allowed another shot from Noonan from distance to slip through his hands. Albion finally had their lead and more preciously, the points to keep them within sight of leaders Wakefield. On another day the score line could have trebled, but these sort of games prove that Stanningley have what it takes to push right to the end. Man of the match Curt Hardaker.