Garnett ended 2002 with a vital victory over a strong Medics team at Bullocksteads. The Green and Black's superior fitness and quality came through in the latter stages of the game to secure their fourth win in a row, leaving then positioned for a good run after Christmas.

Garnett started poorly and were fortunate to be level at half time as Medics created some good opportunities and dominated possession. Uncharacteristically Garnett seemed second best and slow to react against a hardworking Medics team, rarely giving dangerous strikers Dan Sherwood and Jason Thompson the service they needed. On the two occasions Thompson got decent passes to run onto Garnett should have taken the lead but unfortunately he went for glory from narrow angles when Sherwood was unmarked.

Fortunately in the second half, Garnett responded positively. They worked harder, were much better organized and deserved their three goals. Apart from one sprawling Michael Crammond save and a wonder goal, Medics rarely threatened and tired as the game went on.

Early in the second half Thompson's cross was retrieved by Sherwood who wormed his way to the bye line and then unselfishly pulled the ball back for the ever industrious Rich Watson to side-foot home from six yards. Medics equalized soon after when, the otherwise faultless, Crammond could only punch the ball to the edge of the box, not for the first time this season Garnett did not react quickly enough and the ball was knocked back into the box where Medics ex-Henderson centre forward scored a brilliant bicycle kick.

Garnett gradually began to dominate and dominate, with the work rate of Dave Mercer, Watson and stand-in midfielder skipper Rich Cusworth proving crucial. Sherwood almost scored with a flicked header and forced a brilliant save out of the home keeper. Late call up Alex Martin eventually broke the deadlock when he played a quick one two with the returning Neil Hindley, powered his way to the bye line and put over a superb cross which was brilliantly headed in by diminutive striker Thompson for his first headed goal. Medics twice cleared the ball off the line as playmaker Hindley began to pick out his passes. Garnett finally clinched a hard earned win when Man of Match Crammond launched a kick over the Medics defence, for Thompson to race onto. His first touch was brilliant and his second ended up in the back of the net.

All in all, a great win as this is the type of game that Garnett have lost too often in the past but on this time fitness and determination saw them home.

Team: M.Crammond MOM, A.Martin, P.Curtis, R.Cusworth, J.Almond. S.Cavanagh, R.Watson 1, D.Mercer, D.Sherwood, J.Thompson 2, N.Hindley
Subs (not used): J.Poole, P.Powlett