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Sat 23rd August 2003 Forset Hall 0
(0) Gosforth Bohemians Garnett 1 (2)
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| Bohs rebounded from Wednesday's travesty
of a result with a hardworking victory over a much improved Forest Hall
side. On a small and bouncy pitch, this game was always going to be a
war of attrition and this is how it turned out, Bohs defended solidly
throughout and keeper Dave Martin did not have a shot to save all game.
Stand in captain, Mark Brown, was an inspiration at right-back, a damaged
ankle did not prevent several crunching challenges while left back Mark
Menton showed composure and leadership. The "dumb and dumber"
central partnership of Adam Alexander and David Robinson dominated physically
and made no silly mistakes. The midfield worked hard all game displaying the fitness that has already become a feature of the side this season. The talented Mike Cave looked a lot happier in his new free role on the left while the new Gaz Hopkins again provided width and industry on the right. The two Daves in the middle Mercer and Cave formed a formidable barrier in front of the back four. Up front new signing John Hall added new dimensions to the side with his aerial prowess and ability to hold the ball up. Danny Sherwood showed a much more mature attitude and it is obvious that the Hall/Sherwood partnership is going to be a real handful. With Jason Thompson seemingly on his way back to full fitness, Bohs will have three top quality strikers. The only goal of the game was a good one, Sherwood cleverly played in Hopkins who powered into the penalty area and then showed good awareness by laying on the simplest of chances for Hall who gratefully drove home. In the second half Sherwood uncharacteristically missed a penalty and also rounded the goalkeeper but then lost control. The only negatives were injuries to D.Cave, Hopkins and Robinson, which curtailed their performances and in the case of the former two look like putting them out for at least one game. Luckily these did not occur until the second half, by which time the substitutes had arrived from St James Park. Newly slim- line keeper Fraser Hepburn even had his two minutes of fame when he played centre forward for the last couple of minutes. Team: D.Martin. M.Brown ©, M.Menton, D.Cave (F.Hepburn), A.Alexander, D.Robinson (D.Alexander), M.Cave, D.Mercer D.Sherwood, J.Hall 1, G.Hopkins |