Guernsey's hopes are burnt to a cinder

Burnt Ash 2, Guernsey 1

GUERNSEY have crashed out of the national cup to possibly the weakest side that has ever defeated them in the competition. The Sarnians have enjoyed a successful history in the Harrod UK Men's Trophy.

But their 2-1 third round defeat over the weekend to south-east London outfit Burnt Ash, who compete in the lowly Kent and Sussex Regional League, shocked their manager, Andy Graham.

'It's probably the weakest side we've gone out to for a number of years,' said Graham.

'They held the ball up very well but we must have had 75% of the possession. We were very controlled and we moved the ball well but we didn't create any threat.

'They had a five-minute purple patch when they scored twice. To be honest, we didn't create many more chances then they did.

'They were no better than Old Mid-Whitgiftians who we beat 6-0 in the previous round. The guys are all sick as parrots and it's a bit of a wake up call for the inter-insular.

'Jersey are taking it very seriously. A run in the cup is great preparation and we've not got that any more.'

Both Andy Alford and TJ Ozanne had great chances to put Guernsey into the lead in the opening stages of the game.

And it was striker Ozanne who broke the deadlock when he scored from a short corner after 15 minutes.

But two goals in quick succession later on in the half from the home side proved to be enough as the greens could not break their opponents down for the rest of the game.

'I don't blame the forward players because they were compressed and, if they could, Burnt Ash would have had 12 guys behind the ball,' said Graham.

'We were just ineffectual around the 'D' and we just didn't do enough to break down a compact side. There was no one who played badly but there was no one who stood out.'