GARNETT BOHEMIAN 1ST TEAM REPORT
Sat 21st September 2002 Darsley Rangers 1 (0) vs. (1) 1 Garnett Bohemian
Garnett remain unbeaten but still winless after being held to a draw by Darsley Rangers in a highly competitive game at Bullocksteads. Keeper Michael Crammond hardly touched the ball all game as last year's third placed team were restricted to only once decent chance all game. The Green and Black played some lovely passing football and dominated most of the match but created few clear chances.
Garnett suffered bad news before the game when their two most experienced players new signing Sean Cavanagh and All Time left back Peter Curtis were ruled out with injuries sustained the previous week, with first choice centre half still ruled out this meant only captain Rich Cusworth was fit to take his place in the back four. Alex Martin was rewarded for his hard work at training and performances for Reserves with a call up with Craig Rowson dropping to left back. Midfield dynamo Tim Burke-Murphy was ruled out by the late kick off (due to the derby game). Fit again Neil Hindley and Mark Rogers joined anchor man Dave Mercer and available again Andy Logan in midfield with Martin Wonders dropping to the bench. Etonian fresher Sam Collins was given a place on the bench after impressing in the trials earlier in the afternnon.

At 3pm with the green and black ready to role there was still no sign of the referee and only four Darsley players on the pitch. Eventually opposition and official arrived and the game kicked off, understandably Garnett started shakily after having waited for an hour to start. Garnett gradually battled their way back into the game with Man of the Match Dave Mercer setting the tempo with some crunching challenges. The Green and Black showed a refreshing confidence in one another to pass the ball with composure and it was no surprise when they took the lead with a brilliantly worked goal. Cusworth started the move with a one two with fellow defender James Almond, he played the ball to David Alexander who picked out Hindley's run with a sublime first time pass. Hindley drove the ball hard and low across the box for the home centre half to put the ball past his keeper under pressure from Kenny Rosbach. Buoyed by the goal Garnett dominated the rest of the half but against a physically stronger and fit home team failed to create many clear chances. D.Alexander's pull back from the bye line presented a good chance for Rogers but his shot was charged down. With Martin and Almond marking tightly in the centre and veteran full backs Rowson and Cusworth covering intelligently Darsley rarely threatened a shot let alone one on target.

The second half began at the same high tempo that the first had been played at and Garnett were controversially denied when the offside flag denied Rosbach, who was at least three yards on side, a free run on goal after another flowing move.
This decision proved a costly one when Darsley scored a goal out of nothing. When the excellent Darsley centre forward, for the only time all game, escaped the attentions of the Garnett defence to run onto a hopeful long ball and expertly clip the ball over the onrushing Crammond.

Minutes later Garnett suffered another blow with the loss of the industrious front runner Rosbach. The pacey Collins replaced him and immediately created a positive impression with his running off the ball. The Green and Black continued to play all the football with the Logan/Cusworth combination on the right causing constant problems. Hindley showing an unexpected level of fitness continued to get forward at every opportunity. Unfortunately due to determined home defending and on occasions a reluctance to shoot first time, the Green and Black failed to make their superiority to count. Collins fired narrowly over after a determined run and Hindley's header from a Wonder's cross was agonizingly but brilliantly tipped onto the bar. With Garnett still on top and the game still being played at a high pace the final whistle came with Garnett players aggrieved that such a good performance only resulted in one point. One five year veteran claimed that was the best footballing performance he had been part of in his Garnett career, an opinion shared by the manager who was delighted with commitment and passing. Unfortunately this leaves Garnett with only two points from two games but everyone in the squad should be encouraged by the performance. One pleasing feature was the willingness to put what was practiced at training into effect during the game. More performances like this will make it very hard for the manager to pick a team, a problem he relishes.

Team: M.Crammond, R.Cusworth ©, C.Rowosn, N.Hindley, J.Almond, A.Martin, A.Logan, D.Mercer, K.Rosbach (sub: S.Collins), D.Alexander, M.Rogers (sub:M.Wonders)
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