Garnett's miserable goals coring run continued as they were beaten by table-topping Felling. This is another game Garnett easily could have won with a bit more ruthlessness. Annoyingly both goals came from laziness in midfield, which was disappointing, as overall this was another committed performance.

On the positive side Garnett can be encouraged that a team missing six first choice players including the whole back four competed evenly with one of the best sides in the league. Pacy new signing Jason Thompson looked very dangerous when he came on up front in the second half and hopefully will become a regular scorer once his teammates become familiar with him; there were also some excellent individual performances.

With experienced defenders Sean Cavanagh and Peter Curtis away, Alex Martin on stage and skipper Rich Cusworth a very late injury withdrawal, the Green and Black had to put out a new look defence including debutant Dan McManus. Tom Webb returned after injury and had a steady game at the heart of defence. Individually the back four all did well but inevitably there was the odd mix up. The inspirational Dave Mercer returned to the centre of midfield and put in a typical all action performance. With stand in skipper Craig Rowson dropping back to left back, Neil Hindley had to fill in on the left of midfield. Fresher Sam Collins was given another chance up front.

The Green and Black went into the game planning to frustrate the visitors and use their pace to catch them on the break. In the first half apart from one slip by the otherwise steady McManus, brilliantly saved by Michael Crammond, and one break away which should have been put away Garnett held out fairly comfortably and gradually grew to impose themselves on the game. David Alexander was a constant threat to the visitors defence with his movement and distribution while the rapidly improving Collins again caught the eye with his intelligent running off the ball. Despite the best efforts of these two youngsters and the skilful probing of wide-men Andy Logan and Hindley, Garnett failed to break down a well-organized and physically strong Felling defence. The closest the green and black came was when Hindley drove narrowly over after neat approach play.

At half time Garnett were confident that they could step up a level and claim a valuable victory. Early indications were good as Collins was inches away from getting on the end of a perceptive through ball and the excellent Rowson side footed just over after some neat interplay from Thompson (on for Collins) and Hindley. As predicted Felling were becoming frustrated but to be fair they too looked dangerous with their excellent substitute causing problems in the centre of midfield with his pace and movement. Disaster then struck when the ball was needlessly lost in midfield and the Garnett back four was caught square, keeper Crammond, who was again a rock of confidence between the sticks, did well to force the visiting striker wide to the by-line but despite the best efforts of the ever alert Rowson the Felling centre forward converted from a narrow angle. Garnett immediately made a second substitution bringing on young Dan Corcoran on the left for the tiring Howie Sorenson with Hindley going into the middle. Thompson's pace was causing Felling more than a few anxious moments as Garnett stuck to their task. With 15 minutes left Felling struck a killer blow when their left back ran untracked from deep to finish with comprehensively a deserved reward for his outstanding play throughout. For a while it seemed it might be a rout but Garnett regrouped and battled to the end with Thompson almost scoring on his debut.

With three quarters of the season left there is still time to mount a challenge for the title, Garnett have played the top three teams and seen nothing to be intimated by. It is vital though that the players keep believing in themselves and working for one another. At least four of the missing players should be back for Saturday's crunch game at Fitzgeralds. Hopefully a good performance there will give the season a kick-start.

Team: M.Crammond MOM, J.Almond, C.Rowosn, N.Hindley, T.Webb, D.McManus, A.Logan, D.Mercer, S.Collins (J.Thompson), D.Alexander, H.Sorensen (D.Corcoran)