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Garvey recovered their form against Premier League strugglers North Down scoring six goals without reply in a one sided game at Comber Road.
With captain John Gray and Mark Raphael restored to the squad, Garvey began strongly and within minutes of the start, Timmy Cockram had two reverse stick efforts sail over the cross bar but in the 6th minute, they opened their account. Mark Raphael, carried the ball to the bye line and his pin point centre found Daniel Buser unmarked four yards from goal and he scored with ease.
Buser was in the action again in the 10th minute but the North Down keeper blocked his shot and seconds later another Cockram rocket went over the bar.
After 20 minutes, the visitors had hardly had the ball but Garvey could not make the best of their possession. A great Cockram run down the right wing ended when Greg Thompson at full stretch could not make contact close to the goal line.
Garvey,s first penalty corner also went over the cross bar from Timmy Cockram and Johnny Bell saw a good shot blocked when a goal looked inevitable.
The first half ended with Garvey completely on top but with only the Buser goal between the teams.
Brain Waring had a great shot saved in the 36th minute and in the 40th minute, Garvey,s second penalty corner was unsuccessfully switched round the circle to be cleared by the frantic North Down defence.
The 44th minute saw the vital second goal. Again, it was Cockram who breeched the visitors defence and set up a pass for Greg Thompson to find the empty net.
North Down did force a penalty corner in the 46th minute and Davey Williamson pulled off a great save with his stick at full stretch and Garvey returned to the non stop siege of the North Down circle but their chances were not accepted.
The visitors were awarded a second penalty corner in the 51st minute and from it they gained a penalty stroke but Andy Forrest saw his flick well saved by Williamson and this was the last chance they had of scoring as the remainder of the game was spent in the North Down half on the pitch.
Glenn Whitten, brought on as a sub sealed the game in the 51st minute. He worked his way into the North Down circle and scored with a well placed reverse stick shot.
Greg Thompson added goal number four in the 56th minute after good work by Mark Daniel on the right and Timmy Cockram converted his third penalty corner with a fierce drag flick in the 64th minute.
Garvey ,s 4th and final penalty corner of the game was parried by the goalkeeper but Mark Daniel was on hand to slot home the rebound giving his team a six goal advantage and the crucial three league points.
Garvey had been slow to stamp their authority on the game but in the end it was a one sided match with only one winner.
Tomorrow, Garvey travel to Bangor to take on the County Down side and they must be careful as Bangor has been the scene of a number of dropped league points over the past few seasons. A fast start and early goals would be the solution if Garvey are to take the vital points.
Following the Bangor encounter, Garvey travel to Havelock Park on Sunday to play Banbridge in the final of the Anderson Cup. They gained a place in the final when the defeated Annadale by 2 goals to nil last Wednesday. Goals from Brian Waring and Greg Thompson saw a very weakened Garvey team beat a far from impressive Annadale side.
Banbridge have been the team of the Ulster hockey season so far so the young Garvey side have nothing to lose on Sunday and the clash will be even more tasty as ex Garvey coach Mark Tumilty is now in charge of the unbeaten Banbridge team.
Garvey won the Anderson Cup only two seasons ago and would dearly love start this season with some silver ware. Unfortunately, Timmy Cockram is likely to be missing due to his commitment with the Ireland team which is heading for Argentina soon for their world cup qualifier but apart from that Garvey should be at full strength and looking forward to the occasion.
The game is at Havelock Park on Sunday at 3-00 p.m and promises to be more than an interesting affair.