Replay will not hold as many fears for Jersey

Guernsey 0, Jersey 0

ANTICLIMACTIC. That word sums up the Centenary Muratti Vase final pretty nicely. Everything was in place - an arena at Foote's Lane befitting such a historic occasion, a crowd of nigh on 5,000 fans and the most prized trophy in Channel Islands sport up for grabs.

Yet no-one went out and won it.

Instead, perhaps due to the hype and the expectation of those seated in the excellent, purpose-built stadium, both sides showed a sheer determination not to lose. In that respect, it was job well done.

There were chances, but hardly a meaningful strike on goal throughout the 120 minutes of football and only one testing save made by a goalkeeper all afternoon.

Guernsey were marginally the better side and if anyone deserved to edge it, it was the hosts.

Now, though, they face the prospect of a replay at Springfield on the weekend of 14/15 May and the Sarnians have not won in Jersey since 1992.

The home team started much the brighter and spent a lot of the opening 115 minutes probing the Jersey defence with Darragh Duffy the outstanding individual for the green-and-whites.

Trevor Le Maistre had to be alert to hook the ball back over his head after Paul Nobes' flick on for the Bels striker had turned the central defender towards his own goal. He, like the other defenders on show, had a fine game.

Moments later, one of Nobes' trademark long throws into the box caused a degree of panic as it went over the head of his brother, John, and fell to Dave Rihoy just six yards out.

However, it took the young Northerner by surprise and he lost control without being able to get a shot away.

Duffy set up the next opportunity with a delightful floated ball to Paul Nobes, who had pulled off his marker, but his chest control took the ball just too far ahead of him and he had to stretch for his right-foot shot that failed to trouble keeper Jimmy Styles.

Still, this all seemed promising for Guernsey and the pressure continued a little while longer.

Duffy struck a long-range effort straight at Styles before Stuart Andre made an important headed clearance with the Irish striker ready to nod in Ollie McKenzie's inviting cross.

But once this initial period was over and Jersey settled down, the two sides began to cancel each other out with their two banks of four and efforts on goal were generally restricted to those from distance.

In the meantime, referee Phil Joslin was becoming busier as more and more niggling fouls crept into the game.

Jersey left-midfielder John Fitzmaurice was first to be cautioned when he went through Dominic Heaume late while Trim Morgan's name was added to the official's notebook after one illegal challenge too many.

Guernsey were forced into a change at the break with keeper Jody Bisson having picked up an injury to his quadriceps.

Nathan Pattimore replaced him to make his Muratti debut and the way the Vale Rec. captain was hobbling after the match, the St Martin's keeper could well earn his second cap later this month.

After the turnaround, the defences continued to dominate.

Le Maistre made another important interception when Morgan attempted to thread a ball through to Paul Nobes and when the Vale Rec. maestro did get a fantastic pass through to one of his forwards on the break, Duffy managed to tread on it.

It was an unfortunate final noteworthy moment for the otherwise impressive Irishman who would be replaced by Matt Le Cras.

At the other end of the field, the 73rd minute substitution of the anonymous Ross Crick by Jimmy Reilly helped give Jersey more attacking threat.

Within a minute of his arrival, the Trinity forward had met Dave Le Roux's right-wing cross but could not keep his header down.

Reilly went on to produce a lively performance and certainly pressed a decent claim for a starting place next time out.

But still Guernsey carved out more of what scare opening there were.

The outstanding John Nobes, the best player on the pitch in most people's eyes, had a forceful header spilled by Styles, but the keeper was fouled by Stuart Polson as he followed up.

Heaume then glanced wide Rihoy's left-wing free-kick.

But the best chance fell to Morgan with eight minutes remaining.

Potter's fine ball out of defence set Rihoy free down the left on the break.

He checked onto his right foot and found Morgan in space, marauding forward.

He probably should have taken the shot early on his right-foot, but chose instead to switch back inside the retreating defender and onto his left.

His effort was still a decent one but Styles managed to block with his legs.

It was a vital stop and one that took the match into extra time.

The first period was largely uneventful until the final few moments when Pattimore was called into his one serious save, diving low down to his left and pushing away Fitzmaurice's 25-yard free-kick.

After the final break of the afternoon, Potter made an important and superbly-timed challenge to nick the ball away from Reilly as he was about to pull the trigger.

Then, in the dying seconds, Jersey threatened to steal an undeserved victory on the counter-attack with substitute Craig Leitch breaking forward.

He managed to wrong-foot a couple of Guernsey defenders but captain marvel Nobes was on hand to make the decisive, emphatic block and send the teams to Springfield.

Worryingly, Guernsey's skipper looked in bad shape with a groin problem after the game, something he had picked up towards the end of the initial 90 minutes.

Let's hope he is fit for the rematch because on this form it is hard to see him being passed.