Garvey need just a point to seal semi final place

They comfortably defeated Glennane at Pembroke on Saturday 3-1 and have Dublin YMCA at Cookstown this Saturday to complete their five match programme.

On a lovely spring day at Serpentine Road, Garvey took control of the game at a very early stage scoring their first goal in the 2nd minute. Their very first raid on the Glennane circle was led by Richard Arneill who broke free down the right and crossed to Daniel Buser who had the space and time to knock the ball past keeper Carragher.

After a great run by skipper Jonny Bell which ended fruitlessly, Glennane got back into the game and Garvey keeper, John Tormey made a fine interception to keep his goal intact in the 10th minute.

A brilliant chip shot by Mark Raphael almost gave Garvey their second goal in the 12th minute and Andy Forrest came close to finding the net just a minute later but his shot went narrowly past the right hand post. In the 17th minute, Garvey forced their first penalty corner of the match but the James Lorimer drag flick was well blocked and the first quarter ended with Garvey ahead at 1-0.

Andy Forrest set Johnny Quigley up with a chance in 20th minute but keeper Carragher made very good reaction save to keep Glennane in the game and he was active again when he saved Garvey’s next two set pieces in the 33rd and 34th minutes.

The last move of the first half concluded with another chance for Garvey; Andy Forrest made good ground before slipping the ball to Stuat McNiece who shot past the post to leave the game still undecided with the single goal still remaining the difference between the teams.

Jonny Bell had another good attack on the Glennane circle immediately after the restart and his pass to Mark Raphael gave the midfielder a chance to score but his effort went well over the cross bar.

Another effort by Stuart McNiece went astray in the 39th minute while Garvey’s 3rd penalty corner saw James Lorimer’s drag flick deflected for a long corner and another scoring chance wasted.

Garvey were well in charge of the game at this point and after a good Richard Arneill break, they extended their lead in the 45th minute. Daniel Buser linked up with Mark Raphael to pit pressure on the Glennane goalkeeper and following a scramble in the goal mouth, Andy Forrest forced the ball over the line for a well deserved second goal.

At the three quarter break, Garvey were totally in control at 2-0 but in the last section of the game they took their foot off the peddle and allowed their stubborn opponents back into the game. And After some pressure on the Garvey goal the ball was given away and Clive Kennedy slotted it past the helpless Tormey and suddenly Glennane were well back ‘in the hunt’ with 8 minutes remaining.

However, a fine dribble by Mark Raphael led to Garvey,s 4th penalty corner and when the resulting James Lorimer drag flick was saved by Carragher, Philip Stirling was on hand to smash the ball into the net for the vital third goal in the 66th minute.

Glennane did have a last chance to reduce the deficit in the 68th minute with their second set piece but John Tormey was on hand to make a fine save and at the final whistle, Garvey were good value for their 3-1 victory which keeps them well on track for a finals day appearance.

They now travel to Cookstown hopefully to clinch the deal where a draw against Dublin YMCA will suffice. There is a possibility that Timmy Cockram might take his place in the squad after his prolonged injury and this came can only strengthen Garvey’s chances of qualifying on Saturday.