Crunch match for Garvey

Garvey begin their defence of the Premier League title tomorrow (Saturday) with an immediate ‘crunch’ match against Banbridge at Comber Road.
Lisnagarvey's Jonny Bell and Banbridge's Drew Carlisle in action in the recent Anderson Cup final. Pic by  Rowland White / PessEyeLisnagarvey's Jonny Bell and Banbridge's Drew Carlisle in action in the recent Anderson Cup final. Pic by  Rowland White / PessEye
Lisnagarvey's Jonny Bell and Banbridge's Drew Carlisle in action in the recent Anderson Cup final. Pic by Rowland White / PessEye

Last season the title was contested between the two clubs with Banbridge winning the first match at Havelock Park but in April, Garvey inflicted the massive 8-2 victory at Comber Road and that result clinched the Keightly Cup.

It is vital that Garvey get off to a winning start to the season and especially against the other main contender and with the return of Timmy Cockram and Daniel Buser to the squad their chances will be improved.

The form of many of the young Garvey squad has been encouraging for coach Errol Lutton but he is well aware that Banbridge will have the same intent on Saturday.

Head Coach Errol Lutton said: “This will be a tough match. Banbridge are our closest rivals. We had some tight games against them last year and we were involved in a battle in the league right to the very end.

“The guys are looking forward to it. We expect to have everyone fit and available,” Lutton added.

The match is guaranteed to be a close encounter with the crucial goals perhaps coming from the penalty corner experts in the teams; Timmy Cockram for Garvey and Stephen Dowds but both sides will be fully tested in the opening game of the campaign.

Lisnagarvey have been building up to the new season with a variety of competitions, including reaching the Anderson Cup final, where they lost out to Banbridge, albeit in a match with a completely different format.

Lutton said: “Obviously we would have liked to have won that competition. It finished 4-2 so it was a tight enough game. It was good to get that level of competition ahead of the season.

“I’d like to build on last year. We won the Ulster League but I want us to push on a bit further in the Irish Cups. The younger guys introduced last year have experience of those competitions now which will hopefully serve them well this season.”

Lisnagarvey completed their pre season warm up matches with a mini tournament last weekend.

They played two games against Belfast Harlequins and Scottish visitors Clydesdale and had little difficulty in winning both games.

Firstly they defeated Premier League team, Belfast Harlequins by 7 goals to nil in a very one sided affair.

The second match against Clydesdale also proved little of a challenge with Garvey coming out on top in a truncated match by 3 goals to nil.

Garvey’s squad for Saturday v Banbridge, Comber Road, 2.45 p.m.

J.Tormey,J.Quigley, J.Bell (capt), S.Arbuthnot, R.Arneill, A.McCann, P.McDonnell, D.Buser, J.Lynch,S.Murray, A.Williamson, A.Forrest, P.Ritchie, D.Nelson, T.Cockram and J.Lorimer.