Experimental Garvary taste defeat

Troop Hall 3-2 Garvary United (Rowland 54, Johnson 76)

The Goldenbears were defeated in the second warm-up match of their pre-season campaign at the Thurrock Ground last night.

Garvary gaffer Colin Ekers had a greater squad of players available for the game following the thread-bare selection at Shoebury, and used the fixture to gain a clearer idea of his starting eleven for the Sceptre Premier League opener in a fortnight’s time.

Garvary battled hard during a game littered with substitutions, and could have stood victorious had they converted their chances during a spell of high-pressure in the final quarter of the game.

However, the first scoring opportunity fell to Troop Hall.

Goldenbear ‘keeper Craig Childs - affectionately known as ‘dribble’ - saved low at his near post from a close-range downward header on seven minutes.

Garvary came close as Ekers drove an effort wide following nice link-up play around the box.

They then began to turn the screw and Simon Rowland – returning from his successful trial against Shoebury – saw his shot saved yards from goal and followed that with a header wide of the post from the resulting corner.

Garvary were then caught on the break and Troop Hall almost beat the advancing Childs with a lob that, to the relief of the backline, bounced wide of the goal.

The Goldenbears welcomed back inspirational club captain Adam Moore and it was the centre-half who failed to convert another opportunity from a corner kick - miss-hitting a volley wide on 23 minutes.

Matthew Reade thought he had bagged the elusive opening goal just seconds later – drilling an effort against the post eight yards from goal.

A wave of Goldenbear attacks drew to a close as Daniel Wilson shot speculatively wide from outside the box.

Troop Hall should have taken the lead following a mix-up in the Garvary defence that allowed their striker in behind to round an advancing Childs - only for the frontman to drag his terrible attempt wide of the post with the goal gaping.

A series of substitutions made by the experimental Ekers left the away side disjointed prior to half-time and Troop Hall began to dominate proceedings.

They took the lead shortly before the break after being awarded a controversial indirect free-kick inside the 18 yard box for obstruction – which was touched to the side and driven past a despairing Childs.

The game was in danger of being called off on the stroke of half-time as tempers frayed following a Troop tackle on the edge of the area.

Michael Gerrard allowed his Latin temperament get the better of him as he squared up to the offending player.

Several members of both sides soon made the their feelings known as they arrived on the scene - including an especially irked Marc Baker.

Handbags ensued and the referee failed to command his position - declaring the game abandoned.

Appeals from management of both sides brought calm and the weak official allowed the game to continue.

After the interval the better of the chances again fell to Troop Hall and they doubled their advantage on 52 minutes.

A strike from 20 yards flew past the out-stretched hands of the Garvary ‘keeper and found the top corner.

Garvary halved the deficit two minutes later through Simon Rowland.

The towering striker headed in at the far post – making it 2 goals from 2 games for the number 9.

The Goldenbears came close to drawing level after an intricate one-two – between emerging star Steve Johnson and winger James Wilson – created space inside the area for a shot that was saved low down by the Troop ‘keeper.

Craig Childs was then again called into action as he athletically tipped over a swerving long-range effort.

Striker Ekers – wearing number 14 – should have created the equalizer following a purposeful run into the box, but opted to try and beat the ‘keeper at his near post rather than pulling the ball back to one of his teammates.

Garvary finally drew the game level on 76 minutes.

Steve Johnson, in his first appearance for the Goldenbears, finished expertly after latching on to a through pass 10 yards from goal.

Another chance fell to the debutant and his low shot was saved and put behind for a corner – from which a Garvary head won the ball and nodded just over.

Troop Hall thought they had regained the lead after seeing a shot placed past Childs and into the corner – only for the flag to be raised and the goal disallowed for offside.

Just 60 seconds later, Troop exploited a hole at the back and scored the winner.

The straight ball over the top of Moore and Baker – whose desperate swing averted the ball – allowed their frontman to finish with ease.

Daniel Wilson surged forward in an attempt to draw the game level at the death and showed quick feet prior to shifting the ball to shoot – only for his wild effort to fly high and wide.

Gaffer Ekers will take plenty from the match and admittedly hindered his side’s flow with numerous substitutions, but insists the game was merely an exercise.

The Garvary players appeared to enjoy the workout (below).