Staines a game too early - Graham

GUERNSEY coach Andy Graham admitted that his side contributed to their own downfall in the HA Trophy at the weekend. A 2-1 away defeat in Staines, Middlesex, was sealed by two late goals for the hosts after Guernsey had taken the lead.

'In truth we let them back into it, because we were 1-0 up and, with time running down, we started to hold onto the ball too much and hence we got caught a little bit,' said Graham. 'In all, though, it was a very good performance.'

The match was expected to be tight and there was little goalmouth action in the first half.

Guernsey gained the ascendancy in the second period, moving the ball quickly around the pitch and deservedly took the lead when TJ Ozanne converted a penalty corner with a drag flick, which beat the Staines keeper at his right-hand post.

They held the lead until the last 10 minutes, when Staines struck twice through penalty corners.

The equaliser deflected off Guernsey defender Matt Elston and into the top of the net.

And minutes later another penalty corner was executed perfectly with a direct strike to take Staines into the lead.

Guernsey had one last chance to force extra time, but failed to capitalise on their own short corner in the dying moments.

Graham said that short corner routines had effectively proved the difference.

'That was the difference between the two teams. They converted their last penalty corner whereas we couldn't get a shot away at ours. It really was that tight.

'Everybody played really well: The back four were very impressive indeed and TJ Ozanne had a fantastic game up front.'

Graham said that more matches together - Guernsey received a bye in the first round of the knockout - could have changed the result.

'This was a game too early. If we had got them in the next round, it would have probably made a big difference to our performance,' he said.

'Saying that, there are a lot of positives to take away from this. Staines are a great team and going out in a game where we competed until the last minute is disappointing, but also very encouraging.'

Attention now switches to next month's inter-insular.