Forrest hat-trick seals the spoils for Garvey

Still playing without the marshalling qualities of skipper Jonny Bell, James Lorimer returned and along with Steven Arbuthnot applied more solidity to the Garvey defence but it was John Tormey who was first in action as Robson brought out a fine save after just two minutes.

However, Garvey immediately replied with their first penalty corner a minute later but the well practised routine did not function and the early chance was wasted. Five minutes later Peter MacDonnell had a great run and shot but Johnny Moore in the Annadale goal made a fine save.

Sean Murray and Andy Forrest combined to give Forrest a scoring chance in the 12th minute but the striker put his shot wide of the target. At the other end, Tormey made another good block from Allister before Garvey opened their scoring account in the 20th minute. It came from a break down the right followed by a Sean Murray shot which saw the rebound fall to Andy Forrest who calmly slotted the ball past Moore from close range.

Timmy Cockram got a snap shot in after 23 minutes as Garvey were now beginning to ‘boss’ the mid field even without the injured Daniel Buser and it was no surprise when they extended their lead in the 30th minute. Again Andy Forrest was the marksman after Paul Ritchie and Daniel Nelson had done some fine work on the right.

Andy Williamson might well have increased Garvey’s lead in the 33rd minute but his effort was again well saved by the excellent Moore leaving the half time score line at 2-0 to the visitors.

Garvey began the second period in similar fashion, taking control in mid field forcing their second penalty corner in the 42nd minute but once again Moore was more than equal to the Timmy Cockram drag flick. Annadale replied with their first set piece in the 48th minute but no shot resulted from a poor routine as they struggled to get themselves back into the match.

Garvey transferred their pressure into another two more penalty corners in the 56th and 58th minutes but Moore made a good block from the first effort by James Lorimer and another from Andy Williamson.

In a rare Annadale attack, they forced their second penalty corner in the 60th minute but the drag flick went well wide of the Garvey goal and the action quickly returned to the other end of the pitch with a flowing move which ended with Cockram shooting past the post when well placed.

However, Cockram, always a threat to the Annadale defence. Made amends in the 65th minute when he set up Andy Forrest for his hat trick and Garvey’s third and decisive goal and although Annadale gained themselves two more penalty corners in the dying minutes of the game they could not breech the more solid Garvey rear guard and they took the vital league points deservedly away from Lough Moss.

Garvey coach, Errol Lutton could only be pleased with the much improved performance by his team and will now look forward to the next game against Cookstown on Thursday 12th March at Comber Road. Garvey just have to keep winning their matches in the ‘run in’ to stay in touch with leaders Banbridge although there are still five points between the top two in the Premier League at this stage. The game on Thursday starts at 7.45pm and Garvey have a free Saturday on March 14th followed by Annadale at Comber Road on Tuesday 17th also at 7.45pm.