Saturday 22nd October 2005 Rushworth & Diamonds 0 (0) vs.(0) 0 Garnett B

Garnett dropped their first points of the season with this goalless draw against a much improved Rushworth & Diamonds team. Conditions were difficult from the start, with a greasy pitch and a swirling wind. Both teams found defending difficult, but equally failed to convert those chances that came their way.

The first half was very even, with play mainly confined to the midfield battle. With Rushworth playing an extra midfielder it was difficult for Ford and Dawnay to generate good possession, but when they moved the ball to the left Walworth and Church forced a couple of openings. Church came closest to opening the scoring with a trademark run and a shot that hit the post. Otherwise chances for Garnett were few and far between with Rushworth looking more dangerous as the Garnett defenders struggled to judge and clear long balls. The right winger for Rushworth found himself unmarked 20 yards from goal but fired wide when he had the time and opportunity to close in on goal. A bedraggled Garnett trooped off to eat their half time oranges.

The second half was much more open. Chances were created by the green and blacks strikers, with the pace of Envy particularly causing a concern to the opposing defence. With the conditions as they were shots from distance tended to promise more than they delivered and it was not unusual to see the ball drifting the wrong side of the post. Shaw pulled off a good save but later lost his footing, causing a goalmouth scramble that aged the Garnett manager another 5 years (not easy!) Cook cleared a corner off the line, diving forward to avoid any back page controversy. The arrival of the pacey Emmlett opened the game up even more and mom Envy continued to threaten from midfield. Despite the chances and the defensive jitters the game somehow had 0:0 written all over it. Two points dropped may well turn out to be a point gained as Rushworth have already taken points from our other potential rivals. Time will tell of course.

Moment to remember: Ed scrambling across his goalmouth with his arms going one way and the rest of him the opposite way.

Author: Gaffer

Team: E.Shaw, S.Cook, A.Powers, L.Brooke, P.Church, R.Eglington (S.Emmlett '60), G.Dawnay (c), D.Ford, A.Walworth, M.Envy (MoM), L.Marshall,