Garnett arrived at the windswept Longbenton college ground full of confidence following last weeks convincing 3-0 win over reigning champions Newcastle City, a.k.a. Social Studies, but without a quartet of last weeks successful starters. Considering the missing personnel, and the fact that a number of the team were suffering from ailments varying from the common cold to a mysterious "gym" injury restricting the full use of our goalkeepers right arm, it was clear that this was going to be a tough afternoon.

The omens were good for the Green and Black having recorded a 4-1 victory over the same opposition earlier in the season, and they started positively controlling possession and creating the games best chances in the opening 15 minutes. The game then suddenly swung to the opposition as a midfield mix-up allowed the opposition centre forward a clear run on goal. The on running Fraiser forced the number 9 wide and he scuffed his effort towards goal, but without sufficient pace to beat the covering Taff. The danger looked to have been averted but this hadn't taken into account Taff's irregular stride pattern, which resulted in the centre half drilling the ball into the bottom corner of an unguarded net.

This setback stirred Garnett's forward line in to action and it wasn't long before we were level. A free flowing move down the right flank found the cotton budded Robbo free on the wing, and he whipped in a Beckham-esque delivery that Wonders touched on to HOPKINS, who finished with Shearer like precision. The remainder of the first half saw Garnett's free flowing game being cancelled out by the combative long ball of the Mysterons, who, with the notable exception of one centre midfielder, appeared to have little to offer in the way of attacking malice. This was in no small part down to the excellent defensive marshalling of A.Alexander and Miller, who appeared unbeatable in the air and easily dealt with any forays on the ground.

The game was there for the taking, and this was the message that the gaffer drilled home at half time. Garnett emerged in the second full of running, and it wasn't long before the Mysterons were behind for the first time in the match. Direct approach play led to new recruit Rich WATSON hammering home a crisp right foot half volley from just inside the area, deserved reward for an afternoon of tireless running and prompting on the right wing. Garnett were beginning to get on top and the third goal followed shortly after. Chris Dawson escaped down the left wing, turned his marker sweetly on the touchline and delivered an inch perfect cross that was nodded in from 6 yards by the on-rushing HOLMES.

Jesmond heads notably dropped and Garnett began to exert their superiority by carving open the opposition defence almost at will. Dawson was giving their ginger whinger of a centre half a torrid time, and it soon became clear that there was only going to be one winner of this contest as Garnett moved further ahead. Hopkins raced clear down the left before unselfishly holding up play to square for WATSON to add his second goal of the afternoon with a composed finish.

At this point the gaffer withdrew the flu-ridden Robbo for new signing Mike DEEBLE, who announced his arrival by scoring with his first touch for the club, having been set up cleverly by DAWSON. Within minutes it was 6 as the man from the Creek escaped a feeble attempt at an offside trap to round the keeper and coolly slot home for well earned place on the score sheet, capping a man of the match performance.

Professionalism went out of the window at 6-1 up, and in the final 10 minutes the green and black flooded forward in search of more goals. We could easily have added to the tally but for a mixture of bad luck and good goalkeeping, although we had to rely on Niles' brother to keep the opposition at bay as he pulled off a couple of excellent 1-on-1 parries as his defence went AWOL in search of more goals.

One piece of bad news on an otherwise excellent day for the green and black was the re-appearance of the sniper, who struck again with 25 minutes to go rendering the left ankle of our veteran centre half Roger immobile and forcing the injury prone star to sit out the match on the sidelines. This sharpshooter has terrorised Roger for a good number of seasons, striking consistently at the 60 - 70 minute mark (surely it's not that predictable?! - Roger), so if anyone has any information on this elusive marksman then please get in touch with the local law enforcement agency. Miller was replaced by Forrester, also on debut, who gave an assured performance for the final third.

All in all it was another impressive performance by the Garnett Reserves as they seek to claim the title nearly won under the tutelage of Pollard two seasons ago. With several key players returning next week it is becoming clear that the reserves have a squad to rival the best in the division, not to mention making the managers life difficult as he begins to ponder next weeks starting XI.

MOM: Dawson - led the line superbly.

Team: F.Hepburn, M.Pollard, R.Turner, M.Wonders, A."Taff" Alexander, P.Miller (I.Forrester), R.Watson 2, B.Holmes © 1, C.Dawson 1, D.Robinson (M.Deeble 1), G.Hopkins 1