A much changed reserves side, strolled to a comfortable 7-0 friendly win over Dynamo Fenham at Blakelaw last Saturday.

Due to the Northumberland Minor Cup the Reserves were now playing their 2nd friendly in a row, as Marden Bridge's resignation from the league will surely mean last week's defeat will be struck off.

With several players away and a couple elevated to first team duty, there were reserve team debuts for fresher Chris Dawson, and Rich Watson and Will Woodward, both on loan from Chem Eng, though Garnett will be looking into the possibility of making these deals permanent.

With a much-changed line-up featuring new partnerships all over the pitch it was perhaps not a surprise that Garnett started sluggishly. However, as if to prove the age-old cliché that football is a funny old game, Garnett were 2 up inside 10 minutes. Firstly, debutant Watson cut inside two men, before playing a measured through ball to HOPKINS who slotted neatly home. Goal number two was an almost carbon copy, as WONDERS raced through a static back-line to produce another calm finish.

Garnett were now comfortable and in control, and with debutant Woodward producing a commanding, and demanding performance at the back alongside the aggressive Alexander, the Garnett rearguard was never seriously threatened, with the enigmatic Watson-Broughton a virtual spectator in goal. Goal number three was a peach from Hopkins. Played in down the left, he took his time, twisting and turning two defenders. When it seemed the pass would be the better option, HOPKINS cut inside, and delivered an accurate shot beyond the keeper into the corner, a finish of some quality.

Goal number four saw the impressive WATSON get on the score sheet. After an excellent block by the Fenham keeper, Watson steadied himself as the ball looped towards him, and showed excellent technique to drill the volley into the net. With the game now all but finished as a contest, fresher Dawson, whose pace and running terrorised the Fenham defence all afternoon, broke in beyond the full-back to produce a pin-point cross for HOPKINS, who delivered a Hartson like bullet header into the net, to claim a first half hat-trick.

5-0 at half time, and manager Pollard's concern was for the side to keep their first clean sheet of the season. Despite a couple of half-chances this was comfortably achieved, as the back four dealt with the little Fenham could produce. As is often the case once big leads have been built, Garnett struggled to add to their tally as complacency and showboating set in. However, DAWSON was able to gain reward for his efforts on debut, with a fine finish just inside the post from the outside of his right boot. And, as the game meandered to its conclusion, HOPKINS grabbed his fourth when he rounded the keeper and squeezed it into the bottom right of the net. Hopkins four goals matched his feat on only his second game for Garnett some decades ago, when he also bagged four against Maths.

Post-match, Hopkins was given the Man of the Match accolades, and had this to say to the assembled media hordes, "I would like to dedicate my 4 goals to ex-Garnett players Tim Carnley and Michael Hughes, who are currently in China for a year, and also thank everyone who stood by me during the dry patch I've been through lately".

Next week sees the Reserves in belated league action where they will make their bow at Benson Park, taking on Champions Newcastle City who have already won two out of two, making them favourites for the match. However Reserve team Manager Pollard still feels there is more to come from his side, as fitness and familiarity begin to build within the squad.

Team: Watson-Broughton, M.Pollard, P.Miller, M.Wonders 1, A.Alexander, W.Woodward,
R.Watson 1, L.Walker, C.Dawson 1, G.Hopkins 4 MOM, R.Turner
Non-playing Sub: J.Zengler