A confident Garnett team arrived at Hexhamshire ground well before their hosts. The country air was still; the green and black were expectant. The pitch looked a good surface, a welcome change from the well played on pitches of the city. Paddy was unable to guide his team this afternoon so the more than capable Rowson steadily took the team through the pre match activities and gave them a calm but thoughtful team talk. The scene was set, news of Geremi's goal at Anfield toyed with the emotions of Logan and Mercer in very different ways, but this wasn't going to hinder Garnett's preparations.

The game went well. It seemed there was to be nothing else than an away team victory. A scrappy opening period saw Hexhamshire compete well, but it was the pace and liveliness of Garnett that soon shone through. Dan Corcoran picked up a loose ball on the left side of the penalty area, rounded the last defender and fired a low left foot shot into the far corner. However, it wasn't long before Hexhamshire equalised as their centre forward beat on onrushing Poole to lift the ball into the net. It was no surprise when Garnett regained the lead before the interval. Corcoran nipped in to rob the keeper after a wayward back pass to leave the whippet Jason Thompson with an open net.

Into the second half and Hexam's only threat came from the nimble twisting and turning of their diminutive number 11. Garnett's only scare came at 2-1 when a lucky ricashay gave Hexam's big striker a seemingly gaping net and a golden chance to equalise. He shot wide and their chance had gone. There was Green and Black disappointment when Cusworth aggravated his hamstring injury, another spell out for the skipper. The returning Dave Alexander replaced him. Driven on by the mighty Cavanagh and his defence, the industry of Mercer and Hindley in the centre of the park and the constant threat of forwards Sherwood and Thompson, the goals soon came. The game was dead and buried through the unlikely source of two second half own goals. Dave Alexander found space on the right and aimed to pick out Sherwood at the far post. Falling short the ball reached the last defender and in an obvious panic of the threat behind him sliced it into his own net. The scoring was completed when Mercer chipped the ball through looking for Thompson and Corcoran to the left of the goal. In an attempt to head the ball back to his goalkeeper Hexham's covering defender only proceeded to divert it back across the stranded keeper and into the empty net.

Garnett came away with a good performance and another much enjoyed 3 points. Leaving the hexamshire tranquillity behind, the green and black travelled home pleased with their continued improvement and already looking forward to their next game.

Team: J.Poole, R.Cusworth (sub D.Alexander), C.Rowson, N.Hindley, A.Martin, S.Cavanagh, A.Logan, D.Mercer, D.Sherwood, J.Thompson 1 (sub P.Murray), D.Corcoran 1