Goal-crazy Goldenbears gunning for title after Leigh humiliation

Garvary United 9-0 Leigh United
(M Reade 6 47 70 80, Crumbie 26, Johnson 50 86, Gerrard 54, Salmon 58)

Garvary striking sensation Matt Reade bagged another FOUR goals as the Goldenbears closed the gap on league-leaders Day One to just five points with a 9-0 destruction of Leigh United at Wakering Recreation Ground.

A truly sumptuous Garvary performance saw the deadly hitman bring his goal tally to an incredible 17 for the season, while goals from Matt Crumbie, Michael Gerrard, Jamie Salmon, and a brace from the returning Steve Johnson completed the rout.

The win ensures that the Premier Division top-spot remains in Garvary’s grasp as the Goldenbears hold two games in hand on title rivals Day One.

The signs were ominous for Leigh United after the visitors were only able to field a team of ten players in time for kick-off and it wasn’t long before Garvary made the man-advantage pay.

Hawkish work from Darren Keane in the middle of the park saw the combative midfielder win the ball before releasing Reade down the right flank to cross the ball into the box.

Skilful forward Paul Dellow latched onto a loose ball and deceived several defenders with his trickery before slipping a shot past the ‘keeper for strike partner Reade to tuck away with the easiest of finishes.



Rampaging right-back Daniel Wilson almost doubled the Goldenbears’ advantage minutes later after a purposeful surge saw him arrow a ferocious 20-yard strike just wide of the angle of post and crossbar.

Dellow maintained his impressive start and mesmerised the Leigh backline inside the 18-yard box for a second time before unleashing a strike towards the far bottom corner that deflected just wide for a corner.



Reade should have scored his and Garvary’s second five minutes later after finding space in the box, but couldn’t keep his strike down 12 yards from goal.

The Goldenbears did manage to double their lead shortly after and it came from a corner.

Leigh’s ‘keeper could only flap at the cross and Johnson was able to keep the move alive by firing it back across goal for Crumbie to tap home just a yard from goal.

Garvary stormed from the blocks in the second half and extended their lead on 47 minutes after Reade curled the ball superbly into the far corner from the edge of the box.

The goal so early into the second half appeared to demoralise the opposition and the Goldenbears took full advantage of their lethargy by scoring a fourth moments later.

Johnson found himself in acres of space on the left flank and was free to drive into the box and send a side-footed effort expertly across the ‘keeper into the bottom corner.

Second-half substitute Gerrard made it five shortly before the hour mark with a goal to mark his triumphant return from several months out with a broken ankle.

Leigh headed a cross into the box clear but the loose ball was watched all the way by the Colombian midfielder and cushioned with the knee before being struck on the volley into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.



The barrage of Goldenbear attacks continued and Johnson came agonisingly close to his second of the game after his long-range effort cruelly struck the top of the crossbar.

The sixth goal was inevitable and it came on 58 minutes after Salmon picked up Gerrard’s pass 25 yards from goal.

The cultivated midfielder shifted the ball inside before unleashing a low strike past the outstretched palms of the ‘keeper and into the bottom corner.




Garvary were rampant and Reade completed his hat-trick on 70 minutes after being sent clear through on goal to coolly round the ‘keeper and slot home.



His fourth came on 80 minutes after he neatly tucked Salmon’s lay-off into the far corner.




Johnson completed the rout by firing the ball past the helpless ‘keeper from 12 yards.




Salmon should have rounded off a Man-of-the-Match performance by sending the scoreline into double figures after Dellow produced a piece of tantalizing skill to drive to the by-line and flick the ball onto his head at the far post, but he appeared to lose his bearings and headed glaringly-wide.



Man of the Match: Jamie Salmon – dictated play in the centre of the park and showed imagination with his distribution.

Goldenbears victory piles pressure on Day One

Castle Rangers 0-2 Garvary United (Salmon 16, M Reade 62)

Garvary produced a workmanlike display to begin the year in winning fashion with a 2-0 Sceptre Premier Division victory over Castle at King Georges.

Jamie Salmon sent the Goldenbears on their way after a nervy start by heading home a Matt Reade corner with the provider turning goalscorer to double their lead shortly after the hour mark.

The goals coincided with Garvary’s first clean sheet since their opening fixture against Leigh United – a feat achieved following Gaffer Colin Ekers’ brave decision to start striker Simon Rowland at centre-half in what was to prove a Man-of-the-Match display.

The towering figure of Rowland alongside skipper Adam Moore dealt comfortably with the favoured aerial approach of the home side and totally dominated their frontline following an early scare that saw Castle break clear and almost beat Craig Childs with a lobbed effort that struck the crossbar.

Castle came close again on 15 minutes after the ball found its way across the Garvary goalmouth to the far post and only eluded the head of the diving forward by a matter of inches before running out of play.

A minute later, Garvary fought back and broke the deadlock with Salmon rising above his marker to head into the bottom corner from Matt Reade’s in-swinging corner.



The game entered a prolonged lull following the goal until the closing stages of the half when Ekers was presented with two opportunities to double his side’s advantage.

The pacey striker drove past the full-back inside the right channel before drilling an effort across goal that bounced just wide of the upright.



Garvary’s number 14 spurned a gift-wrapped chance just 60 seconds later after opting for power over precision by putting his laces through the ball and dragging his shot wide of the same post from six yards.

Ekers appeared eager to make amends for the misses early in the second half and curled an optimistic effort over the bar from 20 yards.



Matt Crumbie enjoyed a lively second half proving a catalyst for several promising Goldenbear attacks and frightened the Castle backline with his pace and skill.

Ekers came close again on 55 minutes after seeing his low strike saved by the feet of the Castle ‘keeper.

Garvary missed another guilt-edged opportunity shortly after. The so-often deadly Matt Reade was to be the culprit on this occasion and poked the ball glaringly wide from close-range with the goal gaping.

Castle mustered a brief spell of pressure before Garvary notched a second and Rowland needed to be alert to scramble the ball clear of the goalmouth as several Castle forwards laid in waiting to get a strike away following a corner-kick.

Matt Reade curled an effort wide moments before bagging Garvary’s second after Salmon’s shot was pushed away by the ‘keeper.



Castle’s number one was forced into another save after Michael Gerrard – making a long-awaited comeback from a serious ankle injury – was sent through on goal and the ‘keeper was able to parry the Colombian-born midfielder’s strike.

The ball, however, fell to Ekers and the striker reacted quickly to get a shot away but his attempt was again blocked from close-range before falling again to a Garvary forward.

For the third time of asking, Matt Reade was able to tuck the ball home at the far post instigating jubilant celebrations by the corner flag.

The home side needed to find a goal that would bring them back into the game and they almost had Garvary stopper Childs beaten on 65 minutes with a viciously-struck half-volley that Childs was able to athletically tip against the crossbar and out for a corner.

The resulting corner was flicked on at the near post for a Castle forward at the far post to head goal-wards but straight into the arms of the Garvary number one.

Garvary were convinced they had made it three on 75 minutes after a beautifully crafted goal was scored by Matt Reade and controversially ruled offside by the referee.

Reade won a header to flick the ball on towards strike partner Ekers who returned the favour with an exquisite backheel flick for the advancing Reade to deftly lob the ‘keeper from 12 yards.

But the goal did not stand and the Goldenbears had to maintain their focus and temperament as the game heated up following a couple of flashpoints incited by members of both sides.

Castle should have reduced the deficit to a single goal on 75 minutes after a corner-kick was met and volleyed over from the underside of the crossbar.

Rowland almost topped his imperious performance at the back with a goal after Garvary hit Castle on the break as the game entered its closing stages.

The defender was picked out inside the box and his touch allowed him to get a strike away on the volley but his effort lacked composure and was screwed wide under pressure from the desperate challenge of the Castle defender.



Garvary now sit just five points behind league-leaders Day One after their defeat against Leigh United with two games in hand.

Man of the Match: Simon Rowland – Imperious display at centre-half from the striker that made a significant contribution to only Garvary's second clean sheet of the season.

Garvary's Matt Reade wins FA Grassroots Goal of the Month

Garvary United's Matt Reade has won the FA Grassroots Goal of the Month for November.

Sky Sports' Chris Kamara selected the goal on the shortlist of three, out of which a winner would be crowned following a public vote.

The midfield talisman curled home an exquisite free-kick with unerring accuracy on his weaker foot to send the Goldenbears into a 3-2 88th minute lead in their home Premier Division fixture against Holtford.

Reade was in buoyant mood upon receiving the news.

"First of all I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who voted and to those who helped to drum up support for the goal.

"I think I speak for all of the team when I say that it's greatly appreciated.

"On a personal level, it's a fantastic honour to win and I really am chuffed to bits.

"Special thanks to Mark Carter for capturing the goal and entering it into the competition and to Marc Baker for constantly badgering everyone on a social networking site to vote.

"Once again, thanks to everyone who voted and the entire Garvary army for being so great.

"Now let's push on and win the league!"

View Reade's fantastic winning strike below:



The prizes include the newly-released Umbro Speciali boots for a squad of 18, team kit, hurdles, cones, bibs, match and training balls, and a specially designed 'Goal of the Month' t-shirt for goal-hero Matt Reade.

A presentation is expected in due course.

Vote for Matt Reade's "unbelievable" goal in FA November Goal of the Month competition

Excitable Sky Sports presenter Chris Kamara has selected an exquisite free-kick scored by Garvary's Matt Reade in the shortlist to win the FA Grassroots Goal of the Month for November.

The former Bradford favourite and host of Sky Sports' 'Goals on Sunday' was given the job to reduce thousands of entries down to just three goals.

Kamara said: "I was really impressed with the quality, in fact... they were unbelievable. It was hard, but we've whittled all the entries down to three fantastic goals."

The man of the moment, Matt Reade, had this to say about the achievement:

"Obviously it was fantastic to be nominated for such a big award, and I'm very happy and surprised that I have got down to the final three.

"I have to hand most of the credit to the Garvary media mogul Mr Mark Carter because without him, the goal would not have been captured on film and given such a great write up. It probably wouldn't have even been entered into the competition."

He added: "It's always nice to score goals but, to be honest, I don't really care how they go in, as long as they do and the team keep winning.

"Thank you to everyone who has voted, I'm very, very grateful. Keep voting and hopefully we can win... God knows some of the lads need some new gear!

"Thanks again guys and again, thank you Mark."

To vote for Matt Reade's goal visit: http://www.youtube.com/thefa.

Click on the VOTE tab above the video. Select Matt Reade's goal by clicking on the video titled: 'Matt Reade Free Kick Goal', watch the Garvary talisman score with unerring accuracy and then click on the green 'thumbs up' below the video.

Voting closes on 4th December and the winner of the FA's November Goal of the Month competition will receive the brand new Umbro Speciali boots for a squad of 18, team kit, hurdles, cones, bibs, match and training balls, and a specially designed 'Goal of the Month' t-shirt for the winning player.

Garvary hit Sutton for six to storm into third round of County Cup

Garvary United 6-2 Sutton Sports
(Rowland 7, M Reade 11 44 89, Dellow 57, C Reade 78)

Garvary recovered from surrendering an early two-goal lead to storm into the third round of the County Cup by beating Sunday Southend League Division Two side Sutton Sports 6-2 at the Hall on Sunday.

Matt Reade fired home his second hat-trick of the season to extend his impressive goal tally into double figures and laid-on goals for Simon Rowland, Paul Dellow and Chris Reade to complete the rout.

The Goldenbears were desperate to return to winning ways following a demoralising Premier Division defeat to Isla Athletic a fortnight ago and suffered an early scare prior to notching the opener on seven minutes.

Garvary number one Craig Childs returned to first-team action after a spell out hamstrung and almost gifted Sutton a goal when he sliced an attempted clearance straight into the air.

The Sutton forward was able to steal possession and looked set to shoot as he took the ball on his chest before Childs reached back into his area around the player and clutched the ball with both hands, raising suspicions of handball.

Garvary settled and imposing striker Simon Rowland ended a barren spell in front of goal to neatly tuck Matt Reade’s ball into the box away and send his side into the lead from four yards.

Minutes later, the Goldenbears were awarded a penalty following a challenge inside the box and doubled their advantage through Matt Reade’s coolly taken spot-kick.

Garvary were cruising and looked set to confirm their superiority by taking a commanding lead, but were dealt a blow after being hit on the break in the 18th minute.

The Sutton winger raced down the left flank before curling in a teasing cross into the far post that left Childs stranded and allowed Sutton a way back into the game when the striker beat David Skinner in the air to head the ball into the top corner from close range.

The goal lifted the away side and they began to apply further pressure to the Garvary backline – marshalled commandingly by skipper Adam Moore (below) – before stunning the Goldenbears with a bolt from the blue to equalise on 23 minutes.

A dipping effort was thumped goal-wards by a Sutton forward from the edge of the 18-yard box and Childs was unable to prevent the thunderbolt from finding the net despite getting an out-stretched hand to it.

Sutton had drawn level and Garvary players and fans alike could not believe that their side had relinquished a comfortable lead only a quarter into the game.

The Goldenbears – fuelled by anger and frustration – proceeded to dominate the remainder of the half.

Captain Adam Moore came close to restoring his side’s lead after striking the ball wide of the ‘keepers’ left-hand post from 12 yards and, a minute later, Rowland was gifted another opportunity after a period of patient build-up play saw the ball worked wide on the right to James Lock.

The winger searched out Rowland with a measured ball into the far post but the towering number nine could only direct his unchallenged header tamely wide of the frame of the goal.

The two combined again shortly after with Rowland turning provider to lay the ball off for Lock to strike only inches over the bar inside the 18-yard box.

Garvary continued to probe for a goal that would send them back into the lead, but could only muster a half-chance for tricky forward Dellow who mis-hit his attempted overhead kick well wide, that was until Matt Reade took up possession just inside the Sutton half with only a minute to spare before the break.

The talismanic midfielder wasted no time before hammering a screamer into the top-left corner from all of 40 yards that sent the home crowd into raptures and his side into a 3-2 lead at half-time.

The goal gave Garvary the platform to create a goal margin that would reflect their superiority and the Goldenbears began to spread the play with greater confidence and fluidity in the second half, and it paid off.

A throw-in forced at the left by-line was sent towards Matt Reade inside the box. The prolific 25-year-old was free to turn and deliver a ball over to the far post for Dellow to power home a diving header just yards from goal.

As the hour mark approached, Garvary almost extended their advantage to three through Chris Reade.

Rowland drove inside the area before steadying himself and setting the ball for Reade to strike low at goal from 12 yards, but the elegant midfielder was denied by the legs of the ‘keeper.

Dellow was eager to bag his second of the game on 65 minutes after taking a ball over the top onto his chest but proved too eager as he lashed the ball high and wide as he stood unbalanced.

Garvary gaffer Colin Ekers – sidelined with a fractured metatarsal – sent on substitute Matt Crumbie in place of Lock on the left flank.

The pacey forward made an instant impact after his pressure on the ‘keeper saw him steal possession and send a ball across goal that could only be scrambled over the bar for a corner.

Matt Reade’s resulting corner found Crumbie at the near post and he almost got himself on the scoresheet, but the ball was behind him and he could only manage to head wide.

More purposeful work from the winger saw him jink his way past the full-back and deliver a ball in from the right that Dellow almost got on the end of as he raced goal-wards.

Garvary began to pepper the Sutton goal and the ‘keeper was forced into another save following Matt Reade’s effort on 74 minutes.

Matt Reade was again involved moments later when he found Dellow on the periphery of the 18-yard box. The silky forward engineered space for himself before unleashing a strike that rose just inches over the bar.

The Goldenbears were cruelly denied by the foot of the post as the game entered the final ten minutes after second-half substitute and TV personality Daniel Wilson hit a shot across goal from six yards.

The ball rebounded into the path of Rowland as he lingered in the goalmouth but the striker snatched at the opportunity and scuffed the ball wide with the goal gaping.

Seconds later, Garvary finally extended their advantage through Chris Reade’s sublime effort into the far-bottom corner.

The Reade brothers combined as Matt laid the ball off for Chris to latch onto at the edge of the area and power past the ‘keeper as he leapt down to his right.

The highly influential Matt Reade then completed the rout and his hat-trick with another fantastic long-range strike that struck the inside of the ‘keepers’ right-hand post and flew into the opposite corner.

The goal was, incredibly, the midfielder’s tenth of the season and his impressive form and passion for the cause looks unlikely to dip anytime soon.

Man of the Match: Matt Reade – Bagged an outrageous hat-trick and had a hand in every other goal in an imperious display.

Languid Garvary suffer first home defeat

Garvary United 2-3 Isla Athletic

(C Reade 6, 46)

A weary and languid Garvary side suffered their first home defeat of the season against Isla Athletic on Sunday.

The majority of the side celebrated the birthdays of skipper Adam Moore and Garvary number one Craig Childs the night before the game and it showed as the Goldenbears produced a laboured second-half performance that allowed Isla to mount a sustained period of pressure and ultimately emerge victorious.

Garvary began brightly in the first half and their early patient build-up play was rewarded after only six minutes with Chris Reade tucking the ball past the ‘keeper to send his side into the lead.

On twelve minutes, Ekers – enjoying a return to action following a period on the sidelines with an ankle injury – picked up a loose ball 25 yards from goal before driving towards the 18-yard box and unleashing a low strike that was blocked by the defender.

The Goldenbears continued to threaten the Isla goal with Moore going close with a header at the far post following a short corner played in by Matt Reade.

Garvary again came close to doubling their advantage after a loose ball from another dangerous delivery by Matt Reade, this time from a free-kick wide on the right, fell to his brother Chris inside the area.

His left-footed strike was deflected on its way to goal and almost caught the goalkeeper out with Daniel Wilson challenging for the ball before being ruled offside.

But, only a minute later, Isla drew the score level.

Their forward was allowed too much time on the edge of the box and drilled the ball left-footed past the out-stretched arm of stand-in ‘keeper Marc Baker.

Garvary fought back in search of a goal that would regain their lead. Jamie Salmon – displaying an expansive passing array from the centre of midfield in the first half – sent Ekers through on goal, but the number 14 could only hit tamely at goal before being left rolling on the turf by a dangerously-late challenge.

Another Garvary break involving Salmon and Ekers found Matt Crumbie inside the 18-yard box but the tenacious forward was blocked off by his own teammate as he looked to get his strike away.

Isla countered the attack and were only denied by a great save by Baker after a defensive slip allowed their forward in on goal.

The game was proving to be an extremely open affair with both sides hitting each other on the break and Ekers had an opportunity to regain his side’s lead on the half-hour mark, but the number 14’s shot was blocked by the legs of the advancing ‘keeper when it appeared destined for the bottom corner.

A superb last-ditch challenge by Mark Underwood (pictured below) was required to prevent Isla taking the initiative, but the assured left-back was adjudged by the referee to have intentionally poked the ball back to Baker and Isla were awarded an indirect free-kick inside the 18-yard box.

The opportunity came to nothing but moments later Baker – irked by the referee’s decision – talked his way into the book.

Another vital challenge denied Isla another chance on goal; this time right-back James Lock – enjoying a solid game in a rare start – made a fantastic sliding interception to prevent the Isla striker a clear passage on goal.

Garvary began to lose the midfield battle but almost ended the half with the lead after Chris Reade’s cross from the left found Salmon at the near post whose close-range effort was desperately blocked by the ‘keeper.

The Goldenbears sprung from the trap in the second half and took the lead just 30 seconds in through the impressive Chris Reade.

To the jubilation of his teammates, Reade arrowed a sweetly-hit left-footed strike into the bottom right corner from all of 25 yards.

A free-kick effort 30 yards from goal struck agonisingly wide of the angle of bar and upright by Matt Reade on the hour mark signalled a down-turn in Garvary’s fortunes.

Lethargy settled into their play and what was a battling Garvary performance fell flat.

Isla bagged an equaliser on 63 minutes. The expert finish offered Baker no chance as it flew into the bottom corner.

Isla’s delivery from their numerous corner-kicks had caused the weary Garvary backline problems throughout the game and the away side almost took the lead on 70 minutes after drilling the loose ball from yet another corner at goal. Luckily for the Goldenbears, Baker was well-positioned to make a comfortable save.

The pressure mounted on Garvary and a third Isla goal appeared inevitable.

Baker was able to keep the rampant away side at bay with an expert save low down to his left as the game entered the final 15 minutes, but their goal came shortly after.

This time Baker was left stranded and Isla found the net from close-range on 82 minutes.

The Goldenbears could only muster a half-hearted fight-back and, in truth, never looked like finding a way back into the game after the goal; leaving them to face dejection at the final whistle.

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.