GOSFORTH BOHEMIAN GARNETT REPORT
Sat 22nd November 2003 Highfields United 0 (0) Gosforth Bohemians Garnett 1 (2)

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away....... (ok - Berwick, 22nd November 2003), the Green and Black travelled to Berwick to face fellow title contenders Highfields who boasted a 100% home record. The mood was sombre following a 5-2 mauling in the cup by Alnmouth the previous week.
This was soon lifted with Sean Cavanagh belting out the hard core dance version of 'Low lie the fields of Anthenry' (a worthy contender for club anthem I think) and rousing speeches from Alan, Sean and Neil 'Geordie Aggravator' Hindley.


Surprisingly good playing conditions met the teams with Garnett lucky enough to witness one of the few wind free days of the year in the Scottish Borders. Garnett immediately rose to the occasion with arguably the best team performance of the season. Defensively solid and menacing on the attack, Highfields realised immediately they were in for a tough game and
tried to deploy the tried and tested Geordie tactic of kick them hard notably by the central midfield duo with only appalling referring allowing Highfields to retain 11 men.

Garnett retained composure and Hindley and Mercer both pulled the strings in midfield allowing Thompson to come close on a couple of occasions. The break through came for Garnett in the 30th minute with Cavanagh receiving a short free kick just inside the opposing half. The legendary '
Cavangh Shuffle' saw him past two defenders before despatching an unstoppable 30 yard daisy cutter into the bottom corner - contender number 1 for goal of the season.

Half time arrived with a commanding 1-0 lead with Hepburn little troubled. More of the same in the second half from Garnett reduced Highfields to further kicking and an entertaining mini pitch invasion by the home fans (including old men waving walking sticks). Good chances fell to Sherwood and Thompson and Menton was unlucky with a Brazilian like 30 yard banana shot that clipped the upright.

The game boiled over in the 70th minute with another reckless challenge by the Highfield's central midfielder on Brown leading to a 'Bruno' Brown being sent off for being strangled, which fairly summed up the ineptitude of the referee.

The game was won shortly after with contender number 2 for goal of the season from Thompson. Picking the ball up in his own half, he ran whippet like past two defenders before smashing a 20-yarder into the top corner past a helpless keeper - sheer quality.

More displays like this a Garnett will be playing First Division football for sure, however, lack of consistency remains the big stumbling block.

Author: Mark Menton


Team: F.Hepburn, M.Brown, M.Menton, S.Cavanagh 1, A.Alexander, J.Hurry, D.Mercer, N.Hindley, D.Mullan, D.Sherwood, J.Thompson 1

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