Everybody concerned with the Garnett first team realised that this fixture was going to be one of the toughest of the season and they were not proved wrong. With a huge shadow of doubt cast over the title race due to the debacle surrounding Daisy Hill Turbinia, Alnmouth came to Benson Park knowing that a draw or a win would secure them the title. Garnett however, had to win this game to keep alive their promotion bid.
The top two teams of the division drew a decent crowd to Benson park. The ever present Brendan Mallie was accompanied by a gaggle of girls (which kept him smiling) and even the manager and some players from Swarland! The love for the Green and Black seems to be getting stronger every day. The match itself started off a little cagey, with both teams trying to assert their dominance over proceedings. It became quite clear that this was going to be a tight affair, a match where chances would be few and far between, it was therefore going to be critical to be able to capitalise on them when they arrived.

Alnmouth struck the first blow in some what controversial circumstances. The ball was played over the shoulder of Brown for their left wing, their linesman flagged for a throw-in but the referee waved play on. After a moments hesitation the Alnmouth player continued his run but was brought to an abrupt halt by "the Rock", which is M. Brown. As Garnett marked the Alnmouth attackers one of their midfield players ghosted to the edge of the box - the ball was rolled short to him and he shot first time. The ball looped over the heads of everyone including Hepburn and Alnmouth had the lead. The disappointment for the Garnett lads was obvious. Was their season slipping away? They managed to get to half time without falling further behind.

At half time Alan's message was quite clear. He stated that Garnett were the better team and that we just needed to keep our composure and remain patient. These calm and reassuring words helped steady the players. By a cruel twist of fate Jason Thompson was not allowed to take part in the proceedings as his name had not been entered onto the team sheet. The Alnmouth bench stated that they were not prepared to over look this error.(This stands as a testament to Thompson that they only too aware of dangers of his ability and pace.)

The second forty five minutes was going to prove critical for Garnett and their whole season hinged on whether they could claw their way back into the game. Their opportunity came when a quick free kick was take by the sublime Neil Hindley. His vision and speed of thought saw the outstanding John Hall in space. He chipped the ball through to him, Hall chested it down, side stepped away from his marker and finished coolly in the corner of the net. The delight of the whole team was self evident. The game was now very truly on!

Unfortunately it was Alnmouth who were to take the initiative again. After a scramble in the box the ball looped up and Alexander rose above his opponent to head the ball clear, the referee awarded a penalty. The Garnett players were furious, especially Alexander who felt he had kept his arms down sufficiently and had avoided any serious contact. The penalty was then dispatched, Alnmouth led 2-1. Garnett were back in the s**t.

An unlikely figure came to the rescue. Mercer was played through by Hindley, he controlled the ball with his chest quite perfectly, allowing the ball to run ahead of him, he then placed the ball in the far right hand corner past the on rushing goal keeper. This truly was a magnificent goal especially as Mercer's vision was impaired by a severe nose bleed he was suffering from as a result of being so far forward! The whole of Benson Park erupted, the dream was still alive! Corcoran and Buckley were brought on to try and change things and they did that with great effect. After the equaliser, Garnett began to dominant the match piling forward looking for the elusive match winner. However, there still remained the danger of an Alnmouth counter attack especially from their pacey strike force. The winning goal came with moments left on the clock - the NEVER SAY DIE attitude surfaced again in the Garnett players not for the first time this season.

A mistake by the Alnmouth centre half allowed Buckley to cut through their defence and he ran towards the goal. As he entered the box it seemed to the helpless on lookers as if he was moving in slow motion. Buckley, self assured as ever, had the confidence to round the keeper, although pushed quite wide he still managed to clip the ball with his left foot into the empty net. He turned away arm aloft smiling from ear to ear knowing that this was the defining moment of the match and perhaps of the season. The Garnett players were ecstatic, the bid for promotion was still alive!!!!!!!!!

Author: Adam Alexander

Team: F.Hepburn, M.Brown, M.Menton, D.Mercer 1, A.Alexander, S.Cavanagh, D.Mullen, N.Hindley, D.Sherwood, J.Hall 1 (MoM), D.Cave
Subs: D.Corcoran, M.Buckley 1, (J.Poole did not play).

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.