The new Bohemians got off to a winning start despite a below par and at times sloppy performance.

Consolation can be gained that 3 points were gained over the team that finished fourth last year by a team missing unavailable key players, Shaun Cavanagh, Mark Brown and John Hall and ineligible Dave Alexander, in which probably only Man of Match David Robinson played up to par.

Robinson volleyed Bohemians into a first minute lead after Danny Sherwood had broken clear only to have his shot well saved. As so often happens an early lead seemed to generate complacency but Forest hall despite plenty of huff and puff did not look dangerous, unfortunately keeper David Martin dropped a cross under no pressure and it was 1-1. This inspired a response and Neil Hindley, playing in the hole, finished a brilliant passing move in which Gareth Hopkins was the main orchestrator.

Sherwood then scored a trademark third running across the defence before rolling the ball home. The game looked safe but then Dave Mercer was needlessly played into trouble on the edge of his own box and his reckless challenge led to a well dispatched penalty.

Early in the second half Hopkins rifled in a fourth after good work by Mike Cave but yet again sloppy defending allowed Forest Hall to pull a goal back almost immediately. The rest of the half, Bohemians were indebted to determined play by Robinson at the back to hold them together as the ball was too often given away as players tired in the hot conditions. One bright spot was the return of speedster Jason Thompson to the fray after injury, in the ten minutes he was on he showed he had lost none of his sharpness and desire.

All in all everybody knows that they will have to improve if honours are going to be gained but the performances in friendlies against better sides has proved the ability is there.

Gosforth Bohemian Garnett
D.Martin, M.Buckley, M.Menton, D.Cave, A.Alexander, D.Robinson (1) (MoM), M.Cave, D.Mercer, D.Sherwood (1), N.Hindley (1) (sub J.Thompson), G.Hopkins (1)
Subs not used: J.Poole, D.Morgan

Quote From Evening Chronicle 20th Aug
Gosforth Bohemian Garnett also secured three points, albeit with a more sober 4-3 score-line against Forest Hall. Steve Billham, Martin Mayne and Michael Sandberg netted for Forest Hall with the winners' goals shared by Dave Robinson, Oian Hindley, Danny Sherwood and Gareth Hopkins.