Goldenbears hit magnificent seven to hammer Holtford

Holtford 2-7 Garvary United (D Wilson 18, Dellow 24, M Reade Pen 26 Pen 44 60 72, J Wilson 51)

Garvary stormed to the top of the Premier Division table after blowing away Holtford with an incredible seven-goal haul in torrid conditions at Ashingdon Recreation Ground on Sunday.

The heavens had opened within minutes of kick-off and so too did the floodgates with Matt Reade firing home FOUR times, including two penalties, along with goals from both Wilson brothers and Paul Dellow.

The Goldenbears took full advantage of having the blustering wind behind them in the first half as the driving rain lashed down on the sodden turf and could have been ahead in the first minute.

Daniel Wilson – deployed in a wide berth of a three-pronged attack – hit a speculative effort just wide from the edge of the 18-yard box with the ‘keeper beaten.

Garvary Gaffer Colin Ekers handed a start to new arrival Glen Johnson between the sticks in the absence of hamstring-victim Craig Childs and a lack of communication between the debutant and skipper Adam Moore almost allowed Holtford to take the lead in the third minute.

Neither took control of a high ball played over the top and the home side latched on to the loose ball inside the box, but the Holtford frontman failed to keep his composure and sent the ball wide of the right post with the goal gaping.

It wasn’t long before the Goldenbears were back on the front foot and Simon Rowland had a chance to head his side into the lead at the far post minutes later.

Moore searched out the towering number nine with a lofted a ball into the box from a free-kick five yards inside the Holtford half, but Rowland had to backtrack to meet the ball and headed well wide of the ‘keepers left-hand post.

Garvary deservedly opened the scoring following a huge clearance by debutant Johnson on 18 minutes.

The ‘keeper’s kick bounced over his opposite number and struck the bar allowing Daniel Wilson to tuck the ball neatly home from two yards after showing good instinct to follow up the clearance.

Wilson could have added a second on 22 minutes after latching on to the ball following a Holtford defender slipping due to the treacherous conditions inside his area, but mis-controlled terribly to allow the ball to run off for a goal-kick.

Two minutes later, tricky winger Paul Dellow doubled the Goldenbears’ advantage by drilling the ball past the helpless ‘keeper to score his fourth of the season.

Garvary were rampant and should have been three goals to the good just 60 seconds later.

Rowland was sent clean through on goal and had an eternity to pick his spot, but appeared caught in two minds before blasting the ball wide of the right post.

The Goldenbears kept turning the screw and were rewarded on 26 minutes with their first of three penalties.

Matt Reade wrong-footed the ‘keeper and placed his shot inside the ‘keepers right-hand post.

A purposeful run by Wilson in the right-channel saw him cleverly beat his man before driving into the 18-yard box to pick out Dellow who lacked his usual composure and blazed his effort high over the bar 12 yards from goal.

The game then entered a scrappy lull as the stormy conditions worsened with tireless Garvary full-back Bradley Clutterbuck receiving the first caution of the game.

Holtford tested Johnson for the first time on 42 minutes and the debutant ‘keeper denied the home side by pulling-off a superb save low down to his right.

Garvary were awarded their second penalty of the game a minute before the break after Wilson appeared to be hauled down by the Holtford ‘keeper.

Matt Reade duly slotted the ball expertly into the opposite corner to his first and past the outstretched hand of the ‘keeper to send the Goldenbears four goals ahead at half-time.

The second-half saw the introduction of James Wilson and the direct winger made an almost instant impact by driving a loose ball from a corner past the ‘keeper from the edge of the area to score his first goal in the famous yellow shirt on 51 minutes.

Garvary didn’t rest on their laurels and continued to take the game to Holtford by playing attractive flowing football, despite the increasingly difficult conditions.

The gulf in class became even clearer on the hour mark after Matt Reade – fast-emerging as a fans’ favourite – showed delightfully quick feet twice to beat to defenders before emerging on goal and powering the ball into the net to complete his hat-trick.

Five minutes later, the referee blew for Garvary’s THIRD penalty of the match following a foul on Daniel Wilson.

To the anger of Garvary boss Ekers, Wilson collected the ball and placed it on the spot despite the Gaffers’ instructions for Matt Reade to convert the penalty.

Ekers’ frustration was compounded when Wilson screwed the ball horribly wide from the spot.

Garvary stopper Johnson was on hand to deny Holtford with another save on 70 minutes, allowing the Goldenbears to make it seven without reply two minutes later with Matt Reade’s fourth of the game and seventh of the season.

The referee's busy day continued by showing second-half substitute James Lock the third booking of the game after having booked a Holtford defender for a dangerously-late challenge on Daniel Wilson.

Holtford managed to bag a consolation goal on 75 minutes after Johnson allowed the ball to bounce in front of him and over his head to the frustration of the Garvary backline – marshalled superbly by Moore and Lewis Sparrow throughout.

The debutant made amends by pulling of a string of saves shortly after, including a fantastic reflex save to athletically turn a point-blank header over the bar.

Holtford scored a well-taken second goal on 82 minutes after Garvary appeared to lose their focus, but the Goldenbears should have increased their five-goal advantage on 85 minutes.

Daniel Wilson was again guilty of wasting a guilt-edged opportunity by hitting the ball over the bar when it appeared easier to score than miss just a yard from goal after being played in at the far post by the effervescent Matt Reade.

Second-half substitute Chris Reade – victim to Ekers’ rotational policy for the game – missed another great chance for Garvary in the closing stages – placing his shot agonisingly wide of the far post from 10 yards, before the action came to an end with Johnson again denying Holtford a third.

The margin of the victory allowed the Goldenbears to rise above Day One – who hold a game advantage following a County Cup tie – to the top of the table on goal difference.

Man of the Match: Matt Reade – bagged an incredible four goals and was in a different class to the opposition.