The Green and Black recorded their eighth
win in a row with a hard earned victory at Wallsend Sports Centre against
a typically determined Lindisfarne side.
Garnett were strengthened by the return of strike force Jason Thompson
and Danny Sherwood and wide player Rich Watson. New signing Matt Buckley
slotted in at right back. Garnett started at a high tempo determined
not to get off to another slow start, Sherwood set the tone by being
the first to put a challenge in, the first of several from Garnett players
that were not appreciated by the home side.
It soon became clear that Garnett's pace and precision were going to
be too much for the home defence, and chances were soon created. Unfortunately
excellent goal keeping and selfishness kept the score line blank. David
Alexander shot ridiculously from the by-line with Sherwood free at the
back post and the otherwise impressive Neil Hindley and Sherwood followed
suit from slightly better angles but with two men waiting for the pullback
and a simple tap in. Garnett were almost punished for this when a lack
of communication between keeper Poole and his defence led to a Lindisfarne
striker chasing the ball into an empty net, Buckley tugged him back
for a penalty and there would have been no complaints if the Red Card
had been shown. Fortunately the powerfully struck penalty clipped the
top of the bar. This near escape seemed to inspire Garnett who scored
thrice in the ten minutes leading up to half time. Watson seemed to
have joined the greedy gang when he shot from a narrow angle but luckily
the ball hit the post to fall at the feet of Thompson who fired
home. With Alexander and Hindley switching positions, Garnett looked
better balanced and they were both involved in the build-up to the second
goal. Thompson was adjudged to have been tripped in the box after an
incisive break down the left. Sherwood coolly slotted home the
penalty only for it to be ordered to be retaken fro encroachment, he
kept his nerve to net again. Thompson scored the third from another
rebound, shortly before half time, tapping in from close range.
Despite playing up the hill in the second half, Garnett were confident
of maintaining a high tempo and taking the game further away from Lindisfarne.
They started the second half playing some superb football but with Lindisfarne
wisely defending deeper and the final ball sometimes lacking, they did
not get the rewards their approach play warranted. Out of the blue Lindisfarne
who had hardly been in the Garnett half all game scored when lack of
communication at the back allowed their impressive left sided player
to nip in to clip the ball over Poole. This goal gave the home side
a lot of confidence and they continued to compete hard for the rest
of the game. With aggressive centre half Tom Webb having his best ever
game for the 1st team and Buckley efficiently handling Lindisfarne's
most dangerous player, they were restricted to long range efforts which
rarely called Poole into action. It goes without saying that skipper
Shaun Cavanagh was his rock like self and left back Craig Rowson steady
and intelligent.
In midfield Dave Mercer had another immense game, winning tackles all
over the pitch. It is quite incredible to see how he has developed as
a footballer in the last 12 months. Hindley had an equally impressive
game alongside him but needed to, as Lindisfarne's midfielders were
full of running. With Thompson tiring another new signing Paul Docherty
came on at left midfield with Alexander going up front and Hindley returning
to the middle. It was Docherty who scored the fourth, which effectively
killed the game shinning in after Sherwood had out jumped the home defence.
There was still time for Alexander to rattle the cross bar, as Garnett
continued to swarm forward. After two easy games, this was a good test
but everyone knows the team will have to work harder and communicate
better for the next game against run away title favourites Felling Grayhound.
Team: J.Poole, M.Buckley, C.Rowson, N.Hindley,
T.Webb, S.Cavanagh, R.Watson, D.Mercer, D.Sherwood 1, D.Alexander, J.Thompson
2 (P.Docherty 1)
|