Lepp leads the charge

GUERNSEY under-15s gave Yate Hockey Club a 7-0 drubbing to book a place in the last 16 of the national cup. Their Bristol opponents proved to be no match for the PWC-sponsored junior island side, who were in devastating form with striker Ollie Lepp particularly lethal in front of goal. He grabbed a hat trick.

The result in the west country goes someway to alleviating island coach Nick Mahy's recent disappointment in his senior side's shock exit from the HA Trophy at the hands of Bournemouth.

The juniors now face Reading at home in the next round.

That tie has to be played by 19 February.

'We played incredibly well,' said Mahy.

'All our goals came from open play. We passed and moved it well and we did the biz around the D.

'They had a couple of county players and by the way we played on Saturday we would give any side a good game.

'Even to make the last 16 is excellent.'

Both teams started the encounter anxiously as simple opportunities in front of goal went begging, but after 15 minutes the visitors took the lead through Tim Ravenscroft.

This remained as the only goal until just before half time when Lepp banged in his first through the goalkeeper's legs after getting on the end of an excellent through ball.

The second half saw a Guernsey team with bags more confidence on the back of their two-goal advantage.

Within a couple of minutes Lepp had his second after casually converting menacing run from captain Jonny Clark down the right flank, who slotted the ball back for the striker to score.

Guernsey at this point were more dangerous than ever with good movement on and off the ball and some well-organised short corner routines.

They were soon 4-0 up with Ravenscroft the scorer again.

As their hockey kept improving, more and more chances were created through Clark and Daniel Wray that served to break down Yate's resolve.

At the back, the Sarnians' defence was calm and resilient to ensure that their team came away with a clean sheet.

The rout was completed with Jonny Taylor and James McLaughlin both hitting Yate's back boards and with Lepp rounding off his hat trick.