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Sat 14th Sept 2002 Garnett Bohemian
1st 1 (0) vs. (1) 1 New York North Tyne Sup.
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| The Green and Black were indebted to a late
penalty save by debutant keeper Michael Crammond to secure a point in
their opening league match of the season. An understandably rusty Garnett
team struggled in the first half and fell behind early when the ball fell
kindly to the New York centre forward after a misunderstanding in the
home defence. The visitors could have doubled the lead hitting the post
as Garnett took time to settle. Garnett suffered a further blow when Peter
Curtis had to be taken to hospital after being temporarily blinded in
one eye, Mark Rogers replaced him and Craig Rowson dropping back to left
back and taking over the marshalling responsibilities. In the second half Garnett began to sort themselves out at the back and started passing the ball consistently to feet. These improvements together with an encouraging level of fitness led to Garnett dominating the second half apart from a harshly awarded penalty and one goal saving block by Almond, New York were very much on the defensive. Unfortunately only one goal resulted from all the pressure, last season's Reserve team top scorer Kenny Rosbach slotting home after latching on to a Dave Mercer through ball. Rogers, Dave Alexander and the other sub Tom Skillbeck all missed glorious chances. In reflection this is a game Garnett expected to and should have won but could easily have lost. It is clear that the team lacks the individual attacking flair of the Vamrak's, Ree's and Sherwood's who have terrorised opposing defenders in recent years but on a positive note the team looks much more solid defensively with new signings ex Newcastle University captain Sean Cavanagh and ex Blyth Spartans keeper Crammond impressing on their league debuts. In addition the hard running midfield of 1st team debutant Martin Wonders, anchor man Mercer, Man of Match Tim Burke-Murphy and Rowson/Rogers indicated that once their fitness levels improve are capable of neutralizing any midfield in the league and will hopefully all get in the box to score their share of goals. With hard work in training, especially on getting the ball wider earlier, and the return of injured players the prospects for the season, once again look encouraging. Especially when one considers the strength in depth is the strongest in the club's history. Proven 1st team players such as defenders Tom Webb, Lee Elliott and Paul Miller, midfielders Neil Hindley, Andy Logan, Ben Holmes and Gaz Hopkins were either not selected or available for this game. This does not even take into account promising 2nd years Alex Martin, Dan Corcoran and Rich Turner, and new signings "Taff" Alexander and David Robinson. Hopefully the trials will unearth a couple of talented strikers and a reliable goalkeeper to give the squad balance and competition for every position. Team: M. Crammond, R. Cusworth, P.Curtis (sub M.Rogers), M.Wonders (sub T.Skillbeck), J.Almond, S.Cavanagh, D.Mercer, T.Burke-Murphy MOM, K.Rosbach 1, D.Alexander, C.Rowson |