No fairytale ending for retiring Sylvans stars

Jersey Scottish 2, Sylvans 1

SYLVANS were hit with a late hammer blow to suffer their fifth consecutive Upton Park Trophy defeat on Saturday. Scottish's Chris Andrews hit a dramatic great goal for a 2-1 victory for the Jersey league champions at Springfield, but it could well have been Joel Avery's side celebrating had Neil Clegg not been denied by a brilliant double save from Scots keeper Jamie Brewster 14 minutes from the end.

Twice the former Muratti stopper spread his body superbly to block Clegg efforts after veteran Tony Vance slipped him through after touching on a pass after a brilliant 50-yard run by Paul Nobes.

It was not to be and with extra time looming - 92 minutes had been played - Andrews broke Sylvans' resistance.

Teasing Jason Blampied with some fancy footwork a la Cristiano Ronaldo, Andrews went round his marker on the outside before cutting in to rifle home a low shot just inside keeper Richard Davey's right-hand post.

It was a killer blow leaving Sylvans no time to hit back.

Ross Crick had fired Scottish into a 27th-minute lead only for Vance to slide home Sylvans' equaliser nine minutes later following great work by Matt Le Cras.

The game started slowly before Scottish started to take hold of the midfield. Davey positioned himself well to save from Yazalde Santos while Crick and Paul Aitken both hit rising shots over Davey's crossbar.

Sylvans' Le Cras was upended 30 yards from goal by Craig Ferey, who was cautioned, and a bit more bend on his free-kick and Paul Nobes' shot could well have resulted in a goal.

Brothers Dave and Gordon Brodie passed the ball confidently in Scottish's midfield while Sylvans got joy up the flanks through Le Cras and Paul Nobes.

Sylvans fell behind when Ged McConnell, unselfishly, passed to Crick and the Muratti striker hit the ball clean from outside the penalty area before his effort took a slight deflection off a defender to give Davey no chance.

Minutes later Andrews should have made it 2-0 but he fired over when well placed after a great run by Crick.

Clegg was denied an equaliser by Ryan Lumsden's clearance and then the same Sylvan dragged a shot wide following a corner kick.

Sylvans finally capitalised after Scottish conceded two free kicks in quick succession. Paul Nobes struck a free kick into Scottish wall and picking up the rebound his pass found Le Cras out on the left.

Le Cras raced behind Scottish's defence and slipping the ball inside he found Vance, who slid home Sylvans' equaliser.

Jason Blampied then came to Sylvans' rescue with a fine headed clearance as Scottish threatened again.

The half finished with Santos and Vance being cautioned for a foul and diving respectively.

The second half opened brightly with both teams having three chances, the best falling to Clegg but he shot weakly at Brewster.

McConnell then ghosted in at a far post twice but each time his headers inside were cleared by Sylvans defenders.

Matt Drillot and Lumsden were next to be shown yellow cards by Football League official Tony Leake, following late challenges, and minutes later Lumsden was forced off the field with a cut on the left cheek. The injury required seven stitches.

Scottish were having good possession and Andrews squandered two opportunities while Ian Potter hooked the ball clear when under heavy pressure.

Brewster then performed his aforementioned heroics from Clegg before John Nobes and Le Cras were cautioned for poor challenges.

Scottish appeals for a penalty after a challenge by Drillot were waved away and as the near 800 crowd expected extra time Andrews broke to score his 13th goal of the season to break Sylvans' hearts.