Match Report | Ian Wormleighton

After last week’s battling victory against BAC/Springfields, Manager Bailey had the luxury of being able to select the same starting XI for the second game in a row, a first for the season, for the visit to Blackpool. Wren Rovers have a reputation for playing excellent football and the quality of their pitch suggested that the faithful Garstang supporters would be treated to a good game. They could not, however, have dreamed of the start that the lads provided for them.

Garstang signaled their intent when Kippax was played through within the first two minutes only to see his effort saved by the ‘keeper. He almost immediately atoned for this after another through ball from Bardsley moments later sent the striker clean through again, this time finishing neatly to the ‘keepers right. In previous weeks an early goal has lead to sitting back in an attempt to hold on for all three points but the Reserves were in a clinical mood and looked to add to their early lead.

Within five minutes the lead was doubled. More excellent work from Bardsley in the middle released Maticheccia who found himself in acres of space on the left hand side and lobbed the keeper from around 12 yards which Walton tapped in on the goal line to make sure. Garstang were rampant, the front two of Hunt and Kippax were pulling the visitors backline all over the place, Maticheccia and Walton were threatening down the flanks, supported excellently from the increasingly impressive Southward and Swanwick, and Bardsley and Wormleighton were breaking effectively from midfield. Any threat that Wren Rovers did attempt to conjure was almost immediately snuffed out by Baldwin, who is in his best form of the season so far, and Miller, who was also excellent.

Within 15 minutes Garstang were three up after the best goal of the game. Walton produced a pin point cross after great work down the right wing which found Hunt who had found space in between the centre halves to finish coolly with his head for his third goal in three games. Garstang could have gone further ahead before half time with Kippax and Miller going close but the damage had been done in that blistering opening 15 minutes with Maycock not having to make a save all half.

The second half followed a similar pattern; Garstang were always on top but could not increase their lead. Wormleighton hit the bar with a header, Kippax had two one-on-ones saved well by the ‘keeper, Waite had a great header from a corner saved by the 'keeper, and Twiname stung the keeper’s gloves from 25 yards. Wren Rovers looked more likely to score than they had in the first period as they hit the bar and also blazed a good chance over but anything other than a Garstang victory here would have been a travesty.

Waite, Twiname and Hewitt all put in excellent performances from the subs bench, strengthening their claims for a start next week, and the all round attitude of the players was outstanding. What is important now is for the lads to continue their good work and not just feel that the job is done. Obviously attention turns to the small matter of Wyre Villa in the cup on Saturday and anything other than 100% in terms of commitment, effort and attitude against our local rivals will make life very difficult indeed.

MoM sponsored by Collinson: Jonny Baldwin – calm, collected and composed. Jonny’s reading of the game and his distribution were a different class on Saturday.

Garstang: Maycock, Southward, Baldwin, Miller (c), Swanwick, Walton, Bardsley, Wormleighton, Maticheccia, Kippax, Hunt
Substitutes: Waite, Twiname, Hewitt, Taylor