Garvey earn hard fought win to progress in Cup

Garvey struggled throughout the 70 minutes to create openings through a very stubborn Annadale defence and had to wait until the final four minutes of the game to seal the victory.

Annadale were the more active side in the opening 10 minutes.

Garvey did earn their first penalty corner in the 12th minute but Timmy Cockram’s drag flick was taken off the goal line by an Annadale defender.

Sean Murray began to show his class in midfield for Garvey and created two chances to grab the lead but both efforts went unrewarded.

Daniel Nelson had a great chance in the 27th minute but again his shot was off target when he really should have scored. Immediately, Annadale swept to the other end and James Milliken standing in for the unavailable John Tormey, brought off two brilliant reaction saves.

Garvey put their opponents under some pressure as the first 35 minutes slipped away forcing their second penalty corner in the 32nd minute but Annadale keeper Johnny Moore also produced a great block from the Cockram flick leaving the half time score still at 0-0.

Early in the second half Matt Allister had a fine run through the Garvey defence and almost opened the scoring for Annadale and a minute later Garvey skipper Johnny Bell forced his teams 3rd penalty corner but to add to the frustration, Timmy Cockram was again off target.

Richard Arneil had to serve a 10 minute suspension in the 34th minute but Garvey, beginning to control the game more from midfield fully deserved their 4th set piece in the 46th minute but disappointingly, Timmy Cockram put another drag flick past the right hand post.

Garvey’s passing and creative abilities were still well below par but they did have all the pressure as the busy Annadale side began to tire in the last quarter of the match.

Andy Williamson had a good chance to break the deadlock in the 62nd minute but from five yards he fluffed his shot and the game was heading for extra time. However Garvey’s 5th penalty corner in the 67th minute was well saved by Moore in the Annadale goal and after a melee in the goalmouth Andy Forrest was able to force the ball over the line for a priceless strike.

The last minute saw the game sealed completely when after a good run by Williamson on the left, Daniel Nelson shot on his reverse side and although Moore half saved the ball it trickled into the net to give Garvey a hard fought 2-0 win after a disappointing display but vitally into the next round of the competition.

Garvey now turn their attention to the first match in their Irish Hockey League series.

They entertain U.C.D to Comber Road this Saturday at 2.45 pm. The competition this season could prove to be tighter than ever with Garvey’s other games against Railway Union (home), Banbridge (away), Three Rock Rovers (home) and Cork Church of Ireland (away) all difficult encounters.

The only meeting between Garvey and U.C.D was last season in the Irish Senior Cup when they won a close match by 2 goals to 1 at Comber Road.

Since then the University team has become a real force to reckon with as their team contains a number of the current Irish international squad.

Home advantage should still see Garvey through but they will have to raise their game after a lack lustre performance against Annadale last week. Points must be secured from home matches if Garvey are to contend for a top two place in their very competitive group.