GARNETT RESERVES MATCH REPORT
Saturday 18th January 2003 Garnett Reserves 2 (1) vs. (0) 0 Oddfellows

With leaders Newcastle City not playing, the Reserves took the chance to go top of the table, with a comfortable 2-0 win over Oddfellows.

After a four week competitive break, both sides looked a little rusty early on, but it was the Reserves who were first to show, competing well in the midfiled, but being caught out on several ocasions by the Oddfellows offside trap.

Oddfellows did pose a threat on the break through their forward partnership of Luigi from Super Mario, and his young side-kick, but after an initial early scare Centre Halves Alexander and Martin, soon established a tight grip on the two, not before a four man fracas saw all four players booked, as the Oddfellows duo with typical Geordie petulance, reacted to a couple of strong challenges.

The first half saw Garnett pressure, without really moving out of second gear. Robinson and Pollard both spurned presentable chances, but eventually just before half time, the pressure paid off. Garnett had been threatening down the flanks for a while, and when a corner was not cleared, Martin found himself in the outside right spot. He skinned his man and crossed. The keeper could only palm the ball to debutant Brendan MALLIE who showed excellent technique to volley the ball home from 12 yards.

The second half saw Oddfellows continue to lump long balls forward, but the Garnett defence were well-organised enough to snuff out this threat, with Martin winning an epic battle with the livewire Oddfellows striker, who looked a class above his team-mates.

Pike replaced Pollard on the right, and his hard work and pace gave the team new attacking impetus. However the game settling second goal would not come. Pollard threw on another debutant, Rich Holme replacing the lively Sam Collins, and Holme's raw pace immediately threatened the Oddfellows rearguard.

Twice Holme burst through and missed one-on one opportunities, once with Robinson well placed for the tap in. The settling goal game eventually when following good work down the right, HOLMES was able to slot a slightly unconvincing finish under the keeper.

2-0 it finished, a good win over opponents who will cause the other challengers problems, and have already taken points off sides at the top of the table. Next week's clash with RS Benwell sees Garnett looking for revenge after the 2-0 daylight robbery inflicted by the latter, back in November,

Team: F.Hepburn, P.Miller, R.Turner, G.Hopkins, A.Alexander, A.Martin (MOM), B.Mallie 1, B.Holmes 1, D.Robinson, S.Collins (R.Holme), M.Pollard (J.Pike)

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