Top of the table clash

Fielding a strong team Garvey were able to dominate the opening play and had several early chances with good forward play from Cummins and Stirling. Indeed, Bann had a couple of counter attacks but were denied by a strong Garvey defence which saw Adam McCann return to partner Paul Fleming.

Bann scored the first goal against the run of play. A break down in on the left hand side of the Garvey defence resulted in a long ball being crashed into the circle with the Bann forward just getting his stick in front covering Garvey midfielder.

Garvey were rattled for a few minutes but soon restored their confidence with some fine passing moves which Philip Stirling dispatched in the circle to make it one each at the break.

The early pressure in the second half was undone as Paul Fleming passed straight to the Bann centre forward at the top of the circle which he converted past the helpless Campbell to make it 2-1.

Garvey continued to press and got the equaliser - much to Paul Flemings delight - via a neat finish through the keepers legs from Paddy McClean. Stirling, in inspired form, should have had a hat trick in the second half but could not covert any of his chances. The Garvey midfield, marshaled by the experienced Ian Davidson, put some fine passes together resulting in Cummins finding Dowling on the left of the circle and finished with a sweet reverse to make it 3-2 to Garvey.

The Lisburn men should have made it more with nine penalty corners in the second half but the corner routine was not sharp on the day.