Garvey seal place in Champions Trophy final with Pembroke win

The victory in the semi final saw Garvey book a place to meet old rivals, home side Banbridge on Sunday after they defeated Monkstown in a penalty shoot out in the second match of the day.

Garvey were always the team in control against Pembroke and began with a goal in just the 4th minute.

It came from their opening penalty corner; the initial drag flick was parried by keeper Ingram but Andy Williamson was on the rebound like a flash to smack the ball into the net.

Mikie Watt and Sean Murray caused the Pembroke defence a lot of trouble in the first quarter, both with shots which Ingram saved to keep the score at 1-0 at the first interval.

Garvey continued to keep the pressure on Pembroke during the second quarter without creating any clear chances but Daniel Buser did force a second penalty corner in the 21st minute and Timmy Cockram found the net although the ball was half stopped on its way into the net.

Pembroke replied with a set piece of their own in the 24th minute but the Garvey defence on the goal line was able to make a clearance under some pressure, and two minutes later John Tormey had to make a good block from Pembroke’s 2nd penalty corner.

Pembroke got themselves back into the match in the 25th minute; a weak clearance on the left of the Garvey circle allowed Alan Southern to find space to beat John Tormey with a crisp shot from 10 metres.

The Garvey response was instant; they broke up-field with Matthew Nelson the carrier and when his shot was saved by Ingram, Daniel Buser was quick on the rebound to regain Garvey’s two goal advantage.

Mikie Watt forced Garvey’s 3rd penalty corner in the 28th minute but the switched routine led to Timmy Cockram shooting past the post on his reverse side leaving the half time score at 3-1 to Garvey.

The second period again saw Garvey on top and after Watt had shot over the cross bar, their 4th penalty corner was wasted and Pembroke responded with two penalty corners of their own in the 39th and 40th minutes.

The first was cleared off the line and the second was well saved by Tormey from Southern.

Another Pembroke shot was deflected past the post in the 44th minute and Watt again threatened to score before the third quarter ended without any change in the score line.

Garvey should have wrapped the game up in the final quarter with good chances falling to Andy Williamson and Mikie Watt while a 5th set piece cleared off the line after a good drag flick by Timmy Cockram.

Pembroke showed their determination during the final 10 minutes of the game with some concerted pressure on the Garvey circle but Richard Arneill, captain Jonny Bell and keeper John Tormey were at their best to repel the surge and saw Garvey through to a well-earned place in Sunday’s final with a 3-1 victory.