Garvary United fell at the first hurdle of the Mike Hayward Cup after suffering a 2-0 defeat against Premier Division rivals Day One in a closely-contested first round encounter at Blenheim Park.
The two-goal margin flattered Day One, who had taken a deserved lead on the half-hour mark, as the Goldenbears failed to end a run of three back-to-back losses to the home side since their 5-0 triumph in last season’s Colin Tyler Cup final.
Prior to the game, Garvary defender Bradley Clutterbuck – serving an ‘iron fist’ club punishment for failing to turn up to a previous game – was provided the opportunity to emulate Gaffer Colin Ekers’ Galileo Goldenbear spot-kick conversion last week.
But failed - striking the outside of the right post.
A last-minute hamstring strain suffered during the warm-up by Garvary number one Craig Childs saw full-back Marc Baker stand in between the sticks and forced Ekers into a defensive reshuffle.
The loss appeared to affect the Goldenbears as they began on the back-foot allowing Day One to build an early period of pressure which saw a goal chalked off for the home side after two of their players were adjudged to have blocked stand-in goalkeeper Baker’s attempt to claim the ball at his near post.
Day One sustained their pressure on the Garvary backline by winning several corners and free kicks, but the away side managed to deal competently with the high balls into the box to clear their lines.
Centre-half David Skinner made a vital last-ditch tackle in the goal mouth to prevent another Day One attack on 15 minutes.
The Goldenbears finally managed to produce a shot on target through Chris Reade a minute later, but the skillful midfielder failed to test the goalkeeper significantly by hitting his effort straight into his arms.
A committed challenge won by Matt Reade in central midfield moments later left Day One’s captain in a heap on the ground.
Baker was forced into a smart save at his near post on 22 minutes and was on hand to smother the ball following a burst into the box by a Day One forward shortly after.
Garvary carved out another opportunity minutes before the home side took the lead and again it fell to the influential Chris Reade. Good work by Paul Dellow resulted in the winger supplying a ball into the box that Reade took on his chest before unleashing a shot that was always rising over the bar.
There was time for his brother Matt to strike a long-range effort with his left foot that had to be palmed away by the ‘keeper before Garvary fell behind.
This time the Goldenbears failed to clear the ball from a corner kick and the loose ball was driven past the helpless Baker.
Five minutes later Ekers opted to switch to a 4-4-2 formation having seen his side fail to win enough of their individual battles using his preferred system of 4-3-3.
The tactic appeared to work and Garvary proved tougher to break down – restricting Day One to just a couple of long-range efforts.
Tempers flared on 38 minutes as Chris Reade confronted an opponent after what appeared to be a kick-out at the talented Goldenbear.
The home side then found themselves having to dig deep in order to defend their lead as Garvary began to get the ball on the ground and play with more patience and composure with the break fast approaching.
Measured build-up by Matt Reade saw him pick out Dellow on the edge of the box who then laid the ball off for Simon Rowland to strike at goal. The number nine's attempt was charged down and blocked as was his instinctive follow-up effort.
Another chance fell to Chris Reade at the far post following a throw-in to taken by the away side and the midfielder, now playing on the right wing, was unfortunate to hit his shot into the ground as the ball rebounded just over the top of the bar.
The half-time whistle came at a bad time for Garvary, interrupting a flowing period of play that looked destined to provide them with a much-desired equaliser.
Baker had Goldenbear hearts in their mouths on 55 minutes after the replacement ‘keeper dwelt on the ball and lost possession under a challenge just yards from goal, but bravely made amends by diving at the feet of the player to claim the ball with both hands and suffering a blow to the head as a consequence.
Another half-chance was created by Garvary just short of the hour mark but Dellow was unable to control his shot – hitting the ball high and wide.
Chris Reade began to find more space in the final quarter of the game and was unlucky not to find a teammate with a marginally over-hit curling ball towards the far post.
There was to be action at both ends in the 70th minute with Baker pulling-off a low save before some excellent wing-play by Chris Reade resulted in Jamie Salmon volley being blocked at close-range.
The second-half substitute had another opportunity to level the score from the resulting corner, but scuffed a side-foot volley into the ground.
A mis-hit clearance by Baker on 76 minutes invited pressure on his side and the stand-in ‘keeper was fortunate to see the shot hit wide by Day One as they broke forward.
Garvary had to soak up more pressure after captain Adam Moore – who had defended valiantly throughout – saw his attempted pass out from the back intercepted. Day One drove at goal but their forward was unable to hit the target and dragged his shot wide of the post.
The Goldenbears thought they had snatched a late equaliser with less than ten minutes left on the clock, but Moore’s expertly-struck volley was ruled out - to the disappointment of the Garvary faithful - for offside.
Darren Keane – who had covered every inch of grass in another battling display – talked his way into the referee’s book with on 84 minutes.
Shortly after, Garvary produced one of the best moves of the game. Club captain Moore sent Chris Reade away to search out Dellow who then drove purposefully at goal and into the 18-yard box before being blocked brilliantly, as he was about to get his shot away, by the defender.
Day One snatched a late second goal against the run of play on 88 minutes after seeing their first attempt blocked on the line by Daniel Wilson and tucking the ball away from close-range at the second opportunity, leaving Baker scrambling across goal.
Garvary left-back Mark Underwood refused to let the result lie and embarked on a jinking run towards goal before seeing his placed-effort saved low down to the ‘keepers left with just seconds to spare.
The result confirmed Garvary’s exit from the Mark Hayward Cup, leaving the Goldenbears free to concentrate on other priorities – starting with the County Cup next Sunday.
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