Stronger RNAC showing gives greens stern test

Guernsey 2, Royal Naval AC 0

THERE have been times in recent years - most notably 2003 when they lost 0-8 - that the Naval Air Command team have been as aerially commanding as a dwarf. Not so at the Track on Saturday when the high winds and driving rain made playing football an exercise for real men and the Malaya Cup was once again hotly contested by worthy visitors.

Even though the result shows another RNAC defeat, the 2004 side were far from pushovers and the

2-0 flattered Guernsey who might have scored more, but just as easily could have conceded several.

Goals by Jon Veron and Trim Morgan just either side of half-time were decisive and the game will have served as an ideal warm-up for next week's opening South-West Counties League game at home to Dorset.

Coach Steve Ogier agreed it had been a 'good run out and a good test for the boys', but felt as his side had dominated the whole 90 minutes, there were were still things to learn.

'The navy had chances but we always controlled the game.

'We were sloppy in the first half. We had a lot of time on the ball and perhaps that was foreign to our players who are used to playing at 90 miles an hour. Because of that and the fact that we had so many passes, occasionally we were sloppy with our passing.

'They threatened us only when we made errors.'

Guernsey gave first starts to James McColl and Sam Cochrane and another youngster, Olly McKenzie, got his chance at McColl's expense after the break.

Morgan was the catalyst for most things positive until being rested with a quarter of the game remaining, but Guernsey were hindered by having to play the final 15min. with 10 men, having used all five of their subs before losing Paul Nobes to a knee injury.

Thankfully, Nobes' withdrawal was more precautionary than anything and he should be fit for the Dorset game.

Guernsey were a better side after the break having failed to cope with the strong winds at their backs in the first 45 when too often balls knocked into space down the flanks or over the top comfortably ran away off the slippy surface into touch or into the arms of the visiting keeper.

Balls knocked into feet were what was required.

At the back, Guernsey looked less than comfortable all afternoon as RNAC striker Steve Young proved to be an elusive, slippery and persistent opponent.

After just four minutes, McColl's misdirected pass created the chance for Young to score but Jody Bisson bailed out his Vale Rec colleague with a fine block with his legs.

Guernsey's first chance was carved open by Dave Rihoy.

A nice turn inside the fullback took him clear and a sweetly-struck drive slipped through the arms of keeper Steve Robinson and over the line for a corner.

Robinson did better on 25min. when he flew to his right to parry away Paul Nobes' 25-yard free kick heading for the top corner, but Guernsey finally got the goal for which they had been pressing three minutes before half-time.

Robinson could only parry Matt Warren's shot and Veron poached an easy goal from close range.

Guernsey made three changes at the break and pushed Darren Martin to right back where he looked far more at home than in central midfield.

Morgan, who had started by playing in the hole, was now dropping ever deeper to dictate and it was the 2002-3 player of the year who doubled the island's lead when the ball fell to his feet 12 yards out just after half-time.

Despite a crowded area, Morgan had the skill and awareness to shape himself for a curling left-foot finish to the keeper's right and just inside the post.

But anyone imagining the goal would end the Naval resistance were soon proved wrong.

Shaun Parker rattled the top of the crossbar with a fine 25-yard effort and replacement keeper Nathan Pattimore made a fantastic point-blank save to push Shepherd's effort onto the bar.

At the other end, Morgan hit a post, but shortly afterwards he bowed out of the proceedings as part of a double substitution.

No sooner had he zipped up his training top than Nobes, travelling at near full speed in a surge through the middle, was upended by a late tackle. After a lengthy stop for treatment and a brief recovery, the Sylvan took his bow.

With a one-man advantage the RNAC continued to create chances.

Will Flint was not too far from the target with a 30-yarder, Young had the ball in the net only for it to be ruled out for offside and the former hit a post with a cross-shot from the right.