(D Wilson 9, Dellow 31, M Reade 89 90+1)
Garvary bounced back from last Sunday’s defeat in dramatic, yet familiar, fashion at the Hall by scoring twice in the final minutes for the second consecutive home game to snatch a 4-2 victory against newly-promoted Holtford.
Goal-hero Matt Reade curled home an exquisite free-kick and converted a penalty to earn his side a deserved win with a result that should have been wrapped up in the home side’s favour by the half-time break.
Garvary Gaffer Colin Ekers – sidelined with an ankle knock – raised the spirits of his side prior to kick-off with a spot-kick scoring appearance as club mascot Galileo Goldenbear.
It appeared to bear an affect as Garvary began brightly and their early period of pressure almost brought a goal in the third minute as Marc Baker latched on to a loose ball following a short corner, only to blaze his effort high over the bar.
Their productive start counted for nothing following Daniel Wilson’s glaring error on seven minutes.
The hard-featured centre-half slipped on the ball 25 yards from goal and allowed Holtford to muster a two-on-one situation with Craig Childs in which they tucked the ball neatly away past the helpless Garvary number one.
His remonstrations with the referee and insistence that he fell victim to a pull-back resulted in a booking for the 25-year-old.
But Wilson portrayed the winning-mentality and determination that runs throughout the side by making amends just two minutes later.
A dangerous ball played in by Marc Baker found the head of defensive partner Adam Moore but the skipper was denied a certain goal by the Holtford ‘keeper’s outstretched palm. The ball fell to Simon Rowland who cut the ball back for Wilson to poke the ball home at close-range and draw the score level.
Garvary were in search of the lead and moments later Rowland was sent clear of the Holtford backline but his touch took him wide. He squared the ball for Jamie Salmon – returning to first team action following injury – to slip the ball past the advancing ‘keeper, but he was denied by the wide frame of the Holtford number one.
The match was a fairly scrappy affair, littered with fouls and free-kicks for both sides, and the first of its confrontations came on 15 minutes as Baker took exception to a late challenge on Chris Reade and let his feelings known by feuding with two of Holtford’s ill-disciplined players.
A minute later the Goldenbears had carved out another opportunity, this time falling to Rowland with a header at the far post that was sent high and wide.
Holtford threatened the Garvary goal again on 20 minutes after picking up on a loose ball and running at goal only to be prevented with a last-ditch sliding tackle by Wilson that allowed the ball to run freely into Childs’ arms.
The Garvary 'keeper was also on hand to advance from goal and block another Holtford effort shortly after.
Rowland found himself on the end of another chance following Salmon’s incisive through pass on 23 minutes, but placed his shot wide of the post.
On the half-hour mark, Garvary began to show their individual class further as Chris Reade took a high ball down with an exemplary touch and drove towards goal before sliding a ball for his brother Matt who had, unfortunately, strayed offside.
The Goldenbears forced themselves into the lead on just moments later.
Another sumptuous through pass by Salmon sent Paul Dellow on his way free of the defence to tuck the ball neatly into the bottom corner and score his third goal in four games.
The home side worked hard for their lead and continued to press the opposition by closing them down from the front throughout the half, with a typical ball-winning display from Darren Keane.
The chance to create a two-goal cushion came shortly before half-time and it again fell to Rowland.
The towering striker rose high to meet Dellow’s cross following some clever play by the winger, but failed to hit the target with a header wide of the post.
Chris Reade was to have the final effort of the half by driving towards goal before unleashing a low shot from 20 yards that was saved down to the ‘keepers right and turned over the bar.
Garvary’s momentum continued in the second-half and two minutes in Rowland worked his way into another scoring position until a desperate sliding challenge applied enough pressure for the number 9 to hit the ball wide.
Adam Moore was on hand to clear a Holtford free-kick from the danger area five minutes into the half as tempers began to fray on the pitch.
An awful challenge late into the back of Mark Underwood sparked a furious reaction from the Goldenbears and delay in play ensued as the two sides confronted each other.
The game resumed and Rowland again came close on the hour mark and perhaps should have scored as he failed to get his timing right as he arrived to meet Matt Reade’s chip into the near post with a volley as Dellow followed-up behind.
Garvary began to open their opposition up at will and could have added to the scoreline further with chances falling to Dellow, Salmon and Matt Reade in the final quarter of the game.
They would have been left to rue their failure to create a commanding lead were it not for Matt Reade’s accuracy with the dead-ball as the away side bagged a late equaliser to make it 2-2 on 86 minutes.
Garvary’s failure to clear their lines resulted in a loose ball being drilled past Childs from the edge of the area.
Dellow had an opportunity to go to ground inside the area after a mis-timed tackle appeared to catch the Garvary number seven and affect his balance, but the winger nobly stayed on his feet.
It required something special to win the game at the death and that is what Reade produced.
Dellow refused to accept the draw and drove purposefully at goal cutting between two Holtford defenders before being tripped just outside of the opposition box.
Reade stepped up to dramatically curl the ball with unerring accuracy into the top right corner – with his weaker foot!
The goal sent the Garvary players and faithful into jubilant celebrations, and not for the first time at the Hall, confirming the famous graffiti-end's apparent ability to suck the ball into the goal.
The result was to be finally put out of doubt after Rowland was brought down inside the area resulting in a spot-kick for the home side.
Reade – buoyed by his earlier goal – chased after the ball to ensure his position as taker and proceeded in directing the ball past the static Holtford ‘keeper to wrap up a timely three points for the Goldenbears.
Garvary are now the most prolific side in the division - having fired in 13 goals in four games - and lie second in the table, three points behind early pace-setters Day One.
Man of the Match: Matt Reade – His dramatic curling free-kick and coolness from the spot concluded a match-winning display.
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