GARNETT WED A TEAM
Wed 12th October 2005 Garnett A 1 (1) vs. (1) 1 Dyslexic United.

On match day two Garnett A were paired with what will surely be among their main title rivals Dyslexic F.C. After both teams had begun the season with good wins it was clear the two heavyweights of the division would put forward a keenly contested game with the winner sure to take a psychological advantage with them for the rest of the season.

For the first ten minutes the A's started much the same way as the week before with some neat and at times breathtaking one touch football. Matt Hill in particular pulling the strings in the middle with good vision. This coupled with the tenacity and commitment of Pearce's tackling made life very difficult for a three strong Dyslexic central midfield. A challenge of physical toughness and skill which the Dyslexic central three soon found to be of a nature they cannot be used to.

However despite the A's good start it was Dyslexic who created the first real chance. A slight lack of communication at the back saw the Dyslexic number nine with space inside the right hand side of the box.What in fairness was a tame shot was not dealt with well by keeper Harty and his relief clear for all to see as the shot squirmed past his far post after uncharacteristic bad handling saw the ball get away from him.

It was clear that Dyslexic had come with a game plan to be as physical as possible against a more pacy and superior football team and in all fairness the opposition looked every inch a side that are in their third season together. Causing the Garnett rear guard a few problems with long balls toward their big players on the edge of the box.

Despite this it was the green and black who took the lead after twenty minutes when Allen pulled out one of his magic moments and lobbed the keeper with a stunning shot from twenty five yards out. With the game turning into a stalemate it was Dyslexic who managed to level when a long ball was not dealt with and the Dyslexic number nine managed to evade the desperate lunge from man of the match Smith. As he broke into the box he smashed a low drive into the bottom corner for probably a deserved equaliser.

The rest of the half was spent with both teams jostling for supremacy and with Garnett not really creating much going forward. It was fortunate that Smith and Mercer held strong in the face of some pretty persistent ariel bombardment.

The second half was much the same for the opening period with neither team creating any real chances. Most of the ball seemed to find it's way into a congested midfield with Garnett unable to make use of dangerous wingers Mullan and Tomei. With thirty five minutes left on the clock the A's chief tormentor the week before Steve Cowels came on for rapid and impressive debutante Emmet and preceded to lead the line well in difficult circumstances.

It was Dyslexic who finally managed to create the first meaningful chance of the half when a ball found their sub striker who while his hairstyle resembled that of a certain ashes hero Kevin Pieterson his coolness under pressure certainly did not and with only Harty to beat he managed to scuff his shot away for a goal kick.

This seemed to fire the Green and black into life and with Polzin suddenly looking far more confident he began to forge a devastating left hand side attack with Mullan. A move that started down the left broke to the right where a super cross was put in only for the unlucky Cowels to be inches away from a connection.

With the green and black on the up Allen disposed a tiring Dyslexic defence to give himself the opportunity to square to Cowels in the box. At full stretch Cowels was again to be denied as his studs made contact with the ball under pressure from a desperate last ditch tackle from a covering defender.

With time running out it looked as though a draw was going to be the final result. With Heslop coming on for Tomei who had run himself into the ground for the cause Garnett won themselves a corner. A wicked delivery into the box from Heslop saw Cowels rise at the near post and win his header well under immense pressure from the towering Dyslexic defence but unfortunately his header cannoned of the post and with it went the last chance for Garnett to steal all three points.

While a draw was a little harsh all players can take great pride in a battling performance that keeps the A's in a strong position after only two games of the season!

Author: Harty

Team: K Harty, .K.Holmes, G.Polzin, M.Hill, A.Smith (MoM), D.Mercer D.Mullen, C.Pearce, S.Emmet (S.Cowels), H.Tomei (N.Heslop), C.Allen 1,

NB: The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the
views of the Gosforth Garnett Bohemian Football Club as a whole.

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