Match Report | Ian Wormleighton

Garstang Reserves made the difficult trip to Turton with a squad rather lacking in depth due to injuries to Matt Walton, Dre and Carlo Maticheccia. Manager Bailey had to name himself on the bench in what had turned into a key fixture in the attempts to stay clear of the relegation battles. Despite the lack of numbers, however, the manager was still able to field a strong starting XI with Andy Taylor Jnr replacing Walton, and Rory Waite making way for the returning Mark Hewitt. The message from the management before kick off was simple; pick up where you left off against Poulton last week. This week the lads listened.

The first half an hour was probably the best Garstang have played all season. Right from the first whistle Garstang players were winning everything and using the ball very wisely either by spreading it to the flanks, or feeding the new forward pairing of Kippax and Hunt to feet. This new look frontline caused Turton defenders headaches all afternoon with good support from the impressive Twiname in the centre of the park. Chances came thick and fast for the Garstang in the opening period; Hunt missed from two yards out and forced the keeper into a good save from close range and Kippax hit the post from just outside the six yard box.

The opening goal came after a period of intense Garstang pressure where Turton's captain was forced into playing a back pass in his own area that the keeper picked up. Hunt laid the ball off to Andy Taylor Jnr who scuffed his shot into the far left hand corner for his second goal of the season. The home side were rattled and resorted to some fairly agricultural challenges that Garstang did well not to rise to. Garstang failed to turn their domination into more goals and were punished for their profligacy as Turton's first effort on target, with two minutes to go to half time, was unluckily parried by Maycock into the path of an onrushing striker who finished well from close range.

The second half was a slightly more even affair with neither team settling for a point. Garstang were struggling to come to terms with the home side's well drilled offside line, and a very supportive linesman, but they did look more threatening. Kippax went close with a good drive from the edge of the box and both he, and strike partner Hunt, had a number of one-on-ones saved by the obdurate Turton keeper. Tackles were still flying in all over the pitch and captain Miller received his first yellow card of the afternoon for a dangerous tackle out towards the touchline. Miller's good afternoon's work was cut short when he later received his marching orders for a similarly dangerous challenge resulting in a second yellow card.

The back four was reshuffled and continued to be relatively untroubled by the Turton attack. Paul Southward continued his good form, Jonny Baldwin was very composed in possession and Adam Swanwick put in a very strong performance in the unfamiliar position of left back. Being down to ten men would usually suggest a back-to-the-wall final five minutes, but Garstang sensed an opportunity for all three points and continued to press for a winner, and their bravery paid off with just seconds left on the clock. Adrian Hunt beat two men on the edge of the area and blasted the ball into the top left hand corner to open his Garstang account and give the Reserves a richly deserved victory. MoM sponsored by Collinson: Ryan Twiname – dominated the midfield against a physical side.

Garstang: Maycock, Southward, Miller (c), Baldwin, Swanwick, Wormleighton, Twiname, Taylor Jnr, Hewitt, Kippax, Hunt
Substitutes: Waite, Bailey