Return to form boosts Garvey’s title chances

LISNAGARVEY did themselves a big favour at Shaws Bridge last Saturday. Having spent a number of weeks playing below par they returned to form with a fine 4-1 win over title contenders Instonians.

Trailing their opponents by four points before the game, Garvey knew that this was a vital encounter if they were to challenge for the Premier title and they provided a high powered performance to take the points by a slightly flattering margin.

Playing without the unavailable Jonny Bell and Richard Arneill, Garvey began strongly and Daniel Buser created the first threat to the Inst defence. He worked his way through before his cross went untouched but in the 7th minute Garvey forced their opening penalty corner. The resulting Timmy Cockram drag flick was parried by Inst keeper Richard Johnston but Steven Arbuthnot was on hand to slam the ball into the back of the net.

Garvey, lifted by the early goal, were giving the Inst defence a hard time and in the 9th minute Stuart McNiece had a half chance to increase the score but Johnston was quick to block the shot.

Inst replied immediately with an equaliser; the ball was contested in midfield before being worked down the Garvey left and after a John Tormey save, the ball went uncleared and eventually was bundled over the line for a ‘soft’ goal which brought the home side firmly back into the game.

James Lorimer, playing at the back, combined with Steven Arbuthnot to gain Garvey’s second penalty corner in the 15th minute but Cockram’s effort was easily dealt with by the active Johnston.

Brain Waring was at his best three minutes later with a great piece of defending and in the 20th minute John Tormey in the Garvey goal made a fine save at the left hand post to keep the game at parity.

Instonians were now well in the match and in the 23rd minute they gained their first set piece and again Tormey brought off a diving save after a switch in the circle.

At the other end, Daniel Buser was heavily fouled in the Inst circle and Garvey had the chance to score from their 3rd penalty corner but again Johnston was equal to the Cockram drag flick.

In the 29th minute, Arbuthnot combined with Andy Forrest to provide a great left wing cross which Timmy Cockram, at full stretch, could not get a stick on with the goal gaping.

The last action of the first half led to Garvey’s second goal; they had forced their 4th penalty corner and after the ball was cleared, Peter MacDonnell had a shot which was deflected into the Inst net by Stuart McNiece to give the visitors a 2-1 deserved advantage at the interval.

Inst were quickly in action in the second period forcing their 2nd penalty corner after a good raid down Garvey’s left but they wasted the chance with a poor routine and they were to suffer just a few minutes later when Garvey scored one of the best goals of the season.

They managed to work their way out of a tight situation in the left hand corner of the pitch before breaking away through Stuart McNiece and Peter MacDonnell before a great move finished with Timmy Cockram only having to touch the ball into an empty net.

Even the Inst supporters had to applaud the Garvey goal which gave them a 3-1 lead with still 25 minutes left in a very entertaining game.

Garvey nearly added a fourth when, again Richard Johnston came to the rescue for his team with a timely save from Forrest but Instonians fought back to force their 3rd penalty corner but Tormey was once again at his best and blocked the Robinson drag flick with some difficulty.

The visitors were now well in control of the game and with Inst showing little creation in attack they were able to ease themselves through the final 15 minutes of the game and apart from a Tormey save in the 65th minute, Garvey had a number of chances to extend their lead but it was the 69th minute before they did so. The goal came from a rather harshly awarded penalty stroke. Andy Forrest met keeper Johnston at the edge of the Inst circle and fifty/fifty clash developed into a penalty stroke in the eyes of the umpire.

Timmy Cockram made no mistake with the resulting stroke and a few seconds later the final whistle brought a highly contested match to an end with Garvey taking the points with a back to form 4-1 victory.

Garvey now have a week off as the proposed home game against Annadale has been postponed because Comber Road is being used for the Under 21 Interprovincial tournament so Garvey’s next three games from Feb 9th to Feb 23rd will be Mossley, away, Belfast Harlequins at home and NICS away which gives them a good chance to pick up nine points while the other top teams all play each other where points could well be dropped. The Premier League table could have a much different look three weeks from now.