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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