The Green and Black ended their three match winless run with a comfortable victory over Bellingham. The score line reflects the footballing superiority of Garnett but this was still a hard game in the physical sense against a Bellingham side seemingly intent on kicking their way to victory. It was no surprise that the home outfit ended with 10 men, when the referee finally lost patience with their idiot number 2.

Garnett were unchanged at the back but fielded a completely new midfield with the welcome return of Craig Rowson, Dave Mercer and Neil Hindley and the full debut of Rich Watson on the right hand side. David Alexander returned to his role behind Jason Thompson after his unsuccessful audition in midfield. Fresher Chris Dawson was on the bench after impressing in the Reserves along with ex-Newcastle University 1st team centre half Greg Rock who was in town for the weekend.

The game had been switched to scenic Acomb due to Bellingham pitch being waterlogged this meant the 11.30am meet was far too early so the squad enjoyed the first half of the Manchester derby in the cosy local. The pitch was in surprisingly good condition but this did not compensate for it's almost square shape and the several humps it possessed.

The game started as it was continued with Hindley being flattened with an over top tackle in the first 10 seconds and Thompson flattened seconds later. With skipper Sean Cavanagh and Mercer setting the physical tone, the Green and Black were far from intimidated and quickly started passing the ball around using the width to good advantage. It soon was clear that the pace and ball skills of Alexander and Thompson were going to cause the home defence real problems. Alexander showed a welcome willingness to shoot early and from distance put in a couple of decent efforts but Thompson missed the best two chances. His electric pace allowed him to nip in ahead of the keeper but this shot went agonizingly wide, then a superb Alexander run and unselfish lay off gave him a great chance but he rolled the ball inches wide of the far post. By this time the idiot number 2 had been at last booked for another over the top challenge, on this occasion James Almond being the unlucky recipient. Alex Martin was also given a rude awakening to football at this level getting a punch in the face as reward for his tight marking.

With Cavanagh his normal outstanding self and Peter Curtis having a fine game at left back leading the way, keeper Fraser Hepburn was a virtual spectator. He confidently punched away one corner and collected a couple of through balls but that was about it. It was no surprise to anyone when Alexander gave Garnett the lead midway through the half, he worked himself an opportunity in the box and his shot though lacking power went through a crowd of legs to surprise the keeper who fumbled it into the net. There was nothing fortunate about the second five minutes later when Thompson opened his account for the club with a clinical finish after the home defence was fatally caught in possession. He drove the ball hard and low inside the far post from the corner of the box. Half time saw Garnett firmly in control.

Garnett were determined not to let another lead slip and though the passing cold have been better and some good chances were missed, Bellingham failed to test Hepburn despite their never-say-die approach.

Rock came onto solidify the centre of midfield with the industrious Hindley moving to the right with Watson coming off. He could be pleased with his debut, showing a good technique and an ability to ghost past defenders; his performance will have put real pressure on Andy Logan for the right-sided midfield berth. Rock soon made his presence felt with some crunching tackles. Dawson came on for the battered Thompson and quickly displayed that he has learned a lot since his previous appearance 6 games ago.

Garnett should have scored more than one in the second half. Alexander's mazy run around a couple of defenders to leave him with a simple left foot finish unfortunately he tried to flick it in with the outside of his right and missed the gaping target. Dawson was set free on the half way line and raced away from the home defence but was unable to bet the keeper. The only goal came when Mercer powered his way to the box, selfishly he went to shoot from the narrow angle (a trait he sadly showed with a few others) but his sliced shot rebounded off the bar straight to Alexander who was only a foot out. Typically he still took three touches to find the target! Dawson was all set to score a fourth but was blatantly tripped in the box but no penalty was awarded. By this time the idiot number 2 had walked for flattening Rowson, who gladly recounted that it was the third successive year that he had been booked for kicking him.

Generally this was a very professional performance in which everybody worked hard for one another. A confident performance from Hepburn was another bonus. Hopefully this boost will give the team the confidence to put a decent run together.

Team: F.Hepburn, J.Almond, P.Curtis MOM, N.Hindley, A.Martin, S.Cavanagh, R.Watson (G.Rock), D.Mercer, J.Thompson 1 (C.Dawson), D.Alexander 2, C.Rowson