GARNETT WED A TEAM
Wed 29nd October 2003 Lawyers 1 (1) vs. (3) 6 Garnett A

After cruising through their cup draw the week before, Garnett A's had to turn their attention back to the league with a potentially tricky fixture against the Lawyers. However, as the sixth goal was coolly dispatched by Thompson past the despairing dive of the Lawyers keeper in the closing stages of the game, there was a slight feeling of deflated elation at having run up such a big score against traditionally strong opponents.

Last season saw the Lawyers knock out the A's in a cup semi-final that will live long in the memory for all the wrong reasons and so it was important to start strongly against old foes. However, a Garnett A game this year would not be complete without a selection crisis. Skipper Martin was left without three crucial attacking players Bell, Dawson and manager Alexander all out adding to Smith and Burke-Murphy's absence, becoming prey to the flu bug floating round the university. Changes were duly made with the impressive Sammons starting alongside Mercer in midfield; Almond and Buckman returned to complete their right hand side partnership. In attack, Thompson also returned to partner the enigmatic Swede, Van Savooyen.

And it was Van Savooyen who got the A's off to a flyer nonchalantly lifting the ball over the on rushing Lawyers keeper within 10 minutes; Garnett were in control from the start and the goal was just reward for their early domination. Rarely troubled at the back, it was only a matter of time before the A's grabbed their second with the yet again impressive Turner shooting low across the keeper into the bottom right hand corner. Finally the A's look like a settled side (despite the continuous changes) and the confidence that was exhumed in their passing football was a symptom of this. Thompson was a continual threat to the sluggish Lawyers defence with his good work down the left leading to a superb half volley from Van Savooyen from just inside the area. Some special goals have been scored in inter-mural football and this will go down as one of them. As always though, confidence got the better of Garnett. Having survived a couple of dangerous free kicks and corners which should have served as a warning to the A's, the Lawyers number 8 powered through mid-field to hit a glorious 25 yard strike past the despairing dive of Poole. This was a lack of concentration that has sometimes typified the A's season, although they never looked as though they would lose this game with such a lead.

What better than to enter the second half in a positive, yet competitive frame of mind. It was this mentality that pushed the A's on, allowing Van Savooyen to complete a wonderful hat trick. Firmly in control and with Mullan in particular capping another impressive display, the A's were stroking the ball round with ease although hindered by an overly zealous ref who booked Turner for dissent.
There was however time for more goals, Thompson grabbing both of them, the second was notable for a fine assist from the once more impressive substitute Rogers, this finished off the Lawyers' challenge.

And so, the A's march on, however, their challengers have been identified early on with two other teams level on points with the A's and 8 points ahead of the other division 1 teams. Those teams, Athletico Jizzmen and Garnett B will present a totally different class in opposition starting with the A's vs B's derby next week. However, the A's can feel confident with after an impressive display against old foes.

Team: J.Poole, J.Almond, D.Mullan, T.Ingham, A.Martin (c), D.Mercer, A.Buckman, M.Sammons,
J.Thompson 2, V.Van Savooyen 3 (MoM), R.Turner 1
Sub: M.Rogers

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