GARNETT RESERVES MATCH REPORT
Saturday 26th October 2002 Methsoc 4 (1) vs. (0) 1 Garnett Reserves

The reserves slipped to a demoralising defeat at 'Bogey Side' Methsoc's Wallsend Sports Ground on Saturday.

Perhaps the omens were not good as Methsoc have edged a number of epic encounters with various Garnett sides in recent years, (ever since Valenza's memorable four goal blast at Bullocksteads in 1999) and whilst they perhaps had the rub of the green on Saturday, Garnett should reflect on the age-old adage, that you make your own luck. Methsoc's effort and commitment was excellent, and on the day their tactics, which they have employed against Garnett ever since the aforementioned game, worked superbly.

Manager Pollard, mindful of the success his B team side almost enjoyed in last year's cup tie against the same opposition, decided against trying to beat Methsoc at their own game - i.e bodies behind the ball, and relying on quick counter-attacks. He was confident that this Reserve team had the players and ability to take the game to Methsoc, to pass it around their well-organised rearguard, and gradually wear them down.

As it was the reverse happened. For the first ten minutes of each half, Garnett were excellent, getting the ball down, passing it in neat one-twos, and looking very threatening. However, the spirited and skilful Methsoc midfield, once into their stride, were able to break up Garnett's pattern of play, and upset Garnett's confidence and composure. In addition, the opening Methsoc goal, somewhat against the run of play contributed to this trend. A corner swung into the strong wind from the right, caught out the unfortunate Hepburn in goal, and Methsoc were ahead. Whether the lad meant it, only he will know, but he subsequently tried it from every corner, albeit with less success. The rest of the half was bitty, with Methsoc disrupting and breaking with real pace and menace, their superior work rate being the key to keeping Garnett out of the game.

However, at half-time, with the slope and wind at their back, Garnett were confident of a result. Manager Pollard demanded that they up their work rate, and pass the ball better, and use the flanks to get away from the congested midfield. For 10 minutes they did so, and swarmed around the Methsoc half, who were reduced to punting the ball long to their lone striker. A well worked move down the right played Hopkins into the area,
and from a promising position, his venomous shot clipped the crossbar. However, in tight games against good opposition, you must score when on top. Relieved, Methsoc eventually began to grind their way back into the game, and stifle Garnett's passing, again threatening from breaks with Garnett bodies committed forward. And so a sucker punch followed. A good move down the left, and nice one-two played the Methsoc midfielder into the area. Hepburn did well to get the block, but the ball rebounded kindly
for the Methsoc player to make it two.

In fairness Garnett responded well, a five minute period putting Methsoc under real threat culimating in a good save from Hopkins, and then Norwegian Ossawy's header was superbly cleared off the line. Just when it appeared it was not to be the Green and Black's day, the Methsoc keeper handed Garnett a lifeline as he carried a difficult catch from a hopeful punt by DAWSON into his own net, under pressure from Pollard. But, as Garnett committed increasingly tired limbs forward, Methsoc looked increasingly threatening on the break. And so it proved as they notched their third, a good strike from the edge of the area, after Garnett had failed to clear. Number four soon followed, an excellent finish from the lone Methsoc striker who had toiled hard all afternoon, and earned his reward after rounding Hepburn.

4-1 perhaps flattered Methsoc, but it would be hard to deny that on the day, they deserved their win. Garnett could perhaps point to the fact that there were significant changes to the team from last week that disrupted continuity, but this will always be a fact of life for the Reserves, and indeed most teams at this level. The simple fact was that they did not play well enough to win the game. A chance for revenge against Methsoc comes in January at Benson Park in the League Cup, but for Garnett they have two league games coming up against two teams they have excellent recent records against - Oddfellows, and RS Benwell. But to claim these points, will require greater effort, and fitness, to earn the right to play the quality football that Garnett are capable of.

Team: F.Hepburn, I.Forrester, M.Deeble, H.Sorensen © (M.Pollard), C.Ossawy, T.Webb, R.Watson, B.Holmes MOM, C.Dawson 1, G.Hopkins, L.Walker
Linesman: P.Miller!

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