A makeshift Reserves team competed well against a strong Fitzgeralds team, which twice put four past the first team last season. The Reserves looked equal to their high placed rivals in the first half and with better delivery and decision making in the final third could easily have turned around ahead.
Stand-in skipper Rich Turner came the closest with a header from a Chris Dawson cross. At the other end veteran Paul Miller twice made brave last ditch challenges.

Fitzgeralds came out much improved in the second half and despite the best efforts of the industrious Reserves midfield, gradually imposed themselves but it was still somewhat of a surprise when the deadlock was broken so strong had the Reserves defence been. Fitzgeralds right back scored with a spectacular volley after the Reserves had failed to clear their lines, the confidence noticeably drained from the Reserves and rose in Fitzgeralds who clinched the game minutes later with another powerful long range effort which again left impressive fresher keepr Rob Scott no chance.

The Reserves continued to battle with centre halves David Robinson and Christian Ossawy outstanding but threatened little. With ten players missing from the top two teams, the Reserves
only had one sub, legend James Almond who replaced the impressive but not match fit Matt Laws and finished with Robinson, Miller and Mark Rogers basically playing on one leg.

Team: R.Scott, P.Miller, M.Laws (J.Almond), M.Rogers, C.Ossawy (=MoM), D.Robinson, C.Dawson, S.King , S.Collins (=MoM), G.Steel, R.Turner (c)