GARNETT RESERVES TEAM REPORT
Saturday 1st December 2007 Bellingham 3(0) vs. (1) 1 Garnett Reserves

The Reserves crashed out of the Minor Cup after a disappointing, lacklustre performance against a decent Bellingham side boosted by the return of their key centre forward. The Reserves never really got going in the first half ceding possession and failing to string together any decent passages of play to unlock the visitors defence.

Completely against the run of play the Reserves team took the lead through Dave Peat and went in 1-0 up at half time. The second half followed the same pattern as the first half and although the defence generally managed to contain Bellingham's effective up front partnership a second home team goal was required to try and secure the game.

However inspite of using all three substitutes the malaise was not shaken, although had Steve Cowles converted an easy chance 1 yard from the Bellingham goal the final stages of the game may have taken on a different shape. Bellingham drew level as the Reserves ceded possession unneccessarily in midfield leading to a surging run from the Bellingham number 8 which culminated in their opening goal. Bellingham added two more without reponse from their talented Number 9 as the Reserves failed to test the visitor's keeper.

The only highlight from the game was some useful forays from substiture Matt Kilvington. The Reserves next game provides an opportunity to rectify many of the mistakes and reignite some of the firepower that the team has demonstrated over the past 2 months. The key messages from this game are the need to retain possession by being more patient in build up play and to learn how to break the flow of the opposition's play.

Author: A.Parkinson

Team: Shaw, Peat 1, Parkinson (C & MOM), Turner, Armstrong, Guest (Cowles), G.Kent (Alcock), L.Kent, Riley (Kilvington), Tulip, Skilbeck.

NB: The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the
views of the Gosforth Garnett Bohemian Football Club as a whole.

BACK