Thirds get the last laugh at Harlequins whilst the Fifths take a narrow win

However, it was Garvey who got the last laugh with a hard fought 1-0 victory over the Belfast side.

Chances were few and far between throughout the first half and it was Garvey who dominated possession with Harlequins seeming content to let Garvey keep the ball at the back. This encouraged some excellent distribution from the centre back pairing of Richard Jess and Seb Buser but the Harlequins defence stood firm in the last third of the pitch preventing any real opportunities.

Harlequins grew into the first half more and more but the Garvey defence looked extremely solid and did not give much of a sniff to the Harlequins forward line.

The second half was equally as tight as the first with only a number of chances falling to both sides throughout the half. Ten minutes into the half the breakthrough came after Patrick Keery used his pace down the left hand side to go on to deliver a reverse stick cross which was met at the back post by youngster Ryan Donaldson to put Lisnagarvey 1-0 up. Credit goes to every player on the pitch for their defensive work to earn an excellent 3 points.

Elsewhere, Garvey Fifths entertained Cliftonville Seconds at Comber Road and won a scrappy match 4-3. On what was a blustery and wet day, Garvey got on top early and were threatening the Cliftonville goal regularly. The breakthrough came from a Johnny Cash cross that was deflected into the goal by an unfortunate defender.

Garvey were regularly winning penalty corners and despite the routine not firing particularly well the second goal came from a Mark Murray direct strike.

Inexplicably Garvey relaxed and conceded two very soft goals from short corners in the few minute before half time. Garvey came out in the 2nd period determined to make amends. This brought the reward of the 3rd goal from a broken down short corner. Grant Hayes finally providing the finish from close range.

Cliftonville immediately converted another short corner to level the game. Garvey’s superior fitness finally told as a long through ball from a midfield turnover found Hayes unmarked in the Cliftonville circle and when his shot was initially saved, Andy Watt calmly converted to make it 4-3 with five minutes to go.