GARNETT RESERVES MATCH REPORT
Saturday 27th September 2003 Willington Quay 1 (1) vs. (1) 1 Garnett Bohemian

As nobody has written a report yet - here's a brief, incomplete summary with possible inacurracies!
Roger:

After 2 defeats it was important to get some sort of result away from home at the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate. As newcomers to the Tyneside Amateur League Division 1, Willington Quay had started with a loss and two draws, and just a hungry for points as Garnett Bohs.

Willington's defence employed that old Geordie favourite, a straight-forward off-side trap. In attack they relied on pushing bodies forward on mass whenever their number 10 in midfield had the ball to pick out angle passes. While not the most sophisticated of tactics their desire and comittment to these principles made the first half fast and furious. Garnett attacked well in spells, creating chances but by no means had it all their own way. Frustratingly Robinson went off with an injury and fresher Nico Heslop came on at right midfield, Hopkins slipping back to right back and Miller pairing up with Alex Martin in Robinson's place.

When the opening goal came, it was welcome relief that it was that Chris Dawson who scored it and not the opposition. His right foot smash past the keeper opened his this season's account for the Reserves. It looked like another would follow, from open play and the quality dead ball deliveries of Hopkins.

But it was to be Willington set pieces that led to the next goal., two whipped in corners in quick succession. The first was headed away by Miller just in front of Keepeer Dave Martin. The second was met by a Willington striker and this time flew in. Garnett fought back with resolve having a header by Dawson ruled out by an unconvincing flag from the opposition's linesman, the cross adjudged to have gone out and into play again.

The effort had been there, but the feeling out lost initiative was evident at half time. Patrick Powlett, temporarily managing the team had words of encouragement and Garnett started positively. It was not to be, chances came and went. Whilst the defence was resolute, Alex Martin's performance meriting the Man of the Match award for the second time this season, no breakthrough up front came. Even when Sam Collins came on as striker, and Pollard dropped back into midfield for the ailing Holmes, the finish still eluded Garnett.

It was important to stop the run of defeats, but it felt a little like 2 points dropped even if we were away from home. Nevertheless the performance was much improved and if the Reserves continue to create that number of chances, the wins will surely come.

Team: D.Martin, P.Miller, P.Curtis, P.Menton, D.Robinson (N.Heslop), A.Martin MoM, G.Hopkins, B.Holmes (S.Collins), M.Pollard, C.Dawson 1, R.Turner

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