On a beautiful day at Benson Park, a hung-over Garnett select team were indebted to Craig Rowson's last minute equalizer to secure a modicum of respectability against Norwegian 4th Division outfit Gvarv. Skipper Shaun Cavanagh then slotted home the crucial penalty after returning guest keeper Michael Crammond had made two excellent saves.

Garnett started lethargically hardly winning a header and rarely tracking back against their enthusiastic guests. Despite this and a strong wind against Garnett started by creating the better chances. However the Norwegians portly but gifted Meatloaf look alike hammered in a wonder goal, this inspired some urgency from Garnett but no quality finish resulted. 10 minutes before half time Cavanagh made his first costly slip of the season and the dangerous Norwegian number 7 clinically profited, further disaster resulted just before half time when a dreamy linesman failed to put his flag up.

Embarrassed to be trailing to such limited opposition, Garnett stepped up the tempo in the second half. Second half substitutes James Almond, back from Egypt, and Martin Pollard made positive contributions. The latter winning man of the match honours by being the only player to play to his full potential, claiming assists on all three Garnett strikes. He won the free kick that Dan Corcoran curled expertly around the wall, played in Gaz Hopkins for an excellent left foot finish and flicking on David Alexander's cross for Rowson to gleefully smash home.

All in all this was an enjoyable day against a friendly club but a well below par performance. One encouraging aspect was the debut of new signing Grant Steel who lived up to his name and looks like he will be a useful acquisition to the club.

Team: M.Crammond, M.Wonders, C.Rowson 1, D.Robinson, A.Alexander, S.Cavanagh, G.Hopkins 1, D.Mercer, D.Sherwood, G.Steel, D.Corcoran 1
Subs: D.Alexander, J.Almond, M.Pollard