Alderney 0, Guernsey 1
MANY had predicted a record-breaking glut of goals heading into it, but ultimately, Ross Allen's penalty was the only difference as Guernsey avoided embarrassment and ensured their spot in the 100th Muratti Vase Final.
Nearly 11 months on from their surrendering of the Vase to Jersey after a woeful home final display, several of the Sarnians from that wretched afternoon made the trip across to Mount Hale for their biennial showdown with the Ridunians.
With the preparations of both sides vastly different, most had thought that Guernsey's clutch of GFC attacking players would ensure an emphatic win.
But as it proved, only a successful spot kick from 12 yards in first half stoppage time ended the hopes of an Alderney side who were committed, ran all day for each other and, late on, even had attacking set-pieces that threatened an equaliser.
However, despite this being Guernsey's joint-narrowest success since the semi-final venue switched to Alderney in the 1980s – matching the 2-1 win in 2005 – Steve Sharman said that he was pleased with his side's afternoon.
'I am extremely pleased with how today went because, although the final score was 1-0, we controlled the game throughout, played excellent football on a difficult pitch and didn't allow them an opportunity,' explained the Guernsey coach.
'The only thing that matters is that we got the win today.'
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