Garvary United began their Sceptre Premier Division campaign in comprehensive fashion with an away drubbing of hotly-tipped Leigh United at Blenheim Park.
The fired-up Goldenbears put the home side under pressure almost immediately after kick-off and didn’t look back, despite an early collision between Adam Moore and Craig Childs in goal that left the inspirational captain nursing a painful back injury.
Simon Rowland was the first to try his luck – thrashing a vicious strike wide after 11 minutes.
The effort proved to be a warning shot as a second bout of Garvary pressure resulted in the opener.
Paul Dellow received the ball in the area and ignored the attention of two defenders with superb quick feet to shift inside and drill the ball past Leigh’s despairing ‘keeper low into the net.
Garvary didn’t rest on their laurels as player/gaffer Colin Ekers got in behind the Leigh defence only to be stopped by a last-ditch challenge that deflected the ball off for a corner.
Leigh were awarded a free-kick 20 yards from goal shortly after and Childs had to be at his best to prevent the equalizer with a save to his right.
The remainder of the first-half was tightly-contested, but it was Garvary that posed the greater threat.
Marc Baker, surprisingly lacking composure, lashed a long-range effort high over the bar on the half-hour mark.
Shortly before the break, Matt Reade hit a tame effort from distance into the ‘keeper’s arms and Rowland – whose running in behind and into the channels caused problems throughout the game – flashed a dangerous ball across goal, but unfortunately lacked support.
On the stroke of half-time, the Goldenbears had a penalty claim turned down after Dellow’s shot appeared to be charged down and blocked by a hand.
Garvary took the game to Leigh in the second-half and saw a furious dipping strike by Rowland from all of 30 yards tipped over the bar on 51 minutes.
Baker, playing at right-back, was the next to come close with an acrobatic overhead kick from the resulting corner that was turned round the post.
The pressure mounted from the subsequent corner as Ekers struck a low drive just wide from a tight angle.
A minute later, the Goldenbears won a penalty.
Ekers, part of a three-pronged attack, was clear through on goal after rounding the advancing ‘keeper and hauled down just yards from goal – resulting in the spot-kick and a booking for the offending player.
Matt Reade despatched the penalty with aplomb and sent the 'keeper the wrong way to double his side’s advantage.
Matt Reade despatched the penalty with aplomb and sent the 'keeper the wrong way to double his side’s advantage.
An error by the combative Darren Keane resulted in a corner for the home side and they came close to scoring – heading just over from six yards.
Garvary’s dominance was emphasised by a third goal just after the hour mark.
A wave of Goldenbear attacks forced a corner that was swung in for Moore to score with a bullet header at the near post.
The away side opened Leigh up at will and could have added to the scoreline as the game progressed.
A flowing attacking move sent Mark Underwood - also known as Sparky - through on goal only for the left-back to see his shot saved low down on 68 minutes.
Tempers began to fray as the game wore on, with the referee having to intervene to restore order.
Second-half substitute Daniel Wilson’s intense pressing almost amalgamated a goal and he was unlucky to see the ball roll out after charging down the ‘keeper’s clearance.
On 78 minutes Matt Reade turned his man and hit an effort that was saved from the edge of the box.
Leigh’s frustration began to show as petulant back-chat to the referee resulted in another yellow card being brandished to the home side.
Garvary’s commitment didn’t wane in the latter stages as Keane won the ball with a crunching challenge close to the halfway line, but was left in a heap by his heroics and was duly substituted.
Several chances were carved out by the Goldenbears in the final ten minutes of the game.
Matt Reade – playing alongside brother Chris in the centre – was sent through and struck an effort just wide of the post from an acute angle.
Another incisive through pass, this time from Baker, played Wilson in on goal, but the substitute failed to make his impact felt as he shot tamely at the ‘keeper from close-range.
Garvary, despite missing the creativity of several key midfielders including Michael Gerrard (below), recorded an emphatic victory which suggests that the squad has the strength in depth required to challenge on all fronts.
Man of the Match: Adam Moore – Snuffed out Leigh’s attacks commandingly at the back alongside David Skinner and bagged a goal despite suffering an early knock.
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