Guernsey bring home big one

The rewards were slim but valuable.

Guernsey flew home from the inter-insular weekend with just one victory for all their efforts, but it was the big one. The men's first XI retained the Phil Stranger Memorial Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 defeat of 10-man Jersey.

That was about it, however, as the home side claimed the majority of the spoils over the day.

In the second-team match, Jersey fought back from 0-2 down to grab a draw; the weekend started with a tense 1-1 draw in the men's third XI match; a fourth XI encounter always looked likely to go Jersey's way as they fielded a team that barely three years ago would have been the starting XI in the men's firsts - as a 0-5 defeat showed - while the Guernsey fifth XI were robbed of a share of their match by a late, Jersey sneaking it 3-2.

Our women had precious little to cheer: three defeats and only two goals were scant reward for all the effort and promise this season.

The showpiece, the men's firsts, rounded off the Saturday action.

It was a typical encounter, passion, pace, commitment and enough nastiness in the challenges to ensure that cards would be shown at some point.

Jersey's Richard Finch was sent off in the first half.

Andy Alford hit the only goal after eight minutes.

It was the third subtle variation as the visitors probed for a weakness in the home side's defensive line-up. They found it when TJ Ozanne slipped the ball left and Alford slapped a shot under Garret O'Brien.

Sparks flew as Jersey found Guernsey resolute in defence and it was only a matter of time before someone left the pitch on umpire's orders. The colour of the card and the cause for dismissal took most spectators by surprise, though.

Richard Finch clattered into Guernsey skipper Adie Peacegood, blatantly pushed him over then kicked him as he was tumbling away. Straight red, no question.

Guernsey created plenty of chances against the 10 men without finding a second goal and a less impressive second-half performance almost let the reds back into the game.

The greens, clumsy and wasteful at times, did enough to repel the late thrust and win the match.

'In the first half we totally controlled the match. The second half was sloppy at times but overall we were the better side,' said manager Andy Graham.

Barry Wallace looked to have won the second-team match with two short-corner drag-flicks, at either end of the first half, but Chris Curtis pulled one back after the break and levelled two minutes from time.

The day's opener, the men's third XI was all-Guernsey for the majority of the match. Pierre Moody's precise deflection off a free hit put Guernsey one up on 19min. Jersey equalised 10min. from time, Tom Davies' reverse-stick follow-up finding the net after Stuart Malley had stopped his first effort superbly.

A strong Jersey fourth XI underlined their tag of favourites to defeat Guernsey 5-0 with goals from first-team coach Ed Daubeney, David Fior (two), Richard Dietermeier and Peter Taylor.

And the fifth XI match looked to be heading for a 2-2 draw - Mark Tanguy and Wayne Moore for Guernsey, Simon Garton and Adrian Smith for Jersey - until Stu Richford hit a late third for the reds. He then cleared off the line in the final minute to protect that lead.

The women's first XI conceded two Chrissie Hefford goals in two minutes at the start of the second half and were always chasing the game after that.

They had the majority of play, territory and possession but could not convert any of their chances until Debbie Allen pulled one back seven minutes from time but Beckie Herbert added Jersey's third two minutes later.

'We are gutted: we were the better side,' said coach Jo Robilliard. 'The girls are so disappointed. If they though they had not played well they cold have accepted defeat, but they played well enough to have won it, that's why they are so upset.'

The second team fell behind midway through the first half to a scrappy, scuffed shot by Sarah Kerley. They, too, enjoyed more or the ball than their opponents but found Jersey defending in numbers and the greens could not break down the home defence.

The thirds lost 1-4, Sarah Hughes hitting the Sarnians' goal but Sarah Anderson (twice), Becky Slater and Ann Banahan scoring for Jersey.