Prison pay penalty in shoot-out loss in first match against police
A PENALTY shoot-out provided the thrilling conclusion to the first football match between Guernsey Prison and Guernsey Police on Saturday.
After the game finished 2-2 at full-time, it was settled by a shoot out and a missed penalty by a prison officer landed the trophy in the hands of the police.
The event looks set to become an annual fixture, joining the regular match between the police and the fire service which takes place on New Year’s Day.
While this year saw head of Bailiwick Law Enforcement Ruari Hardy having to hand the cup to the fire service, he was on the receiving end on Saturday as prison governor John de Carteret congratulated the police on their victory.
‘It’s been brilliant and nice to see everyone out,’ said Mr Hardy. As a keen hockey player, he hoped that this sport would also be on the cards for a match sometime soon.
Organised by the sports and social clubs of the prison and the police by George Collenette and Robbie Dover respectively, they said the plan had been for the match to take place last year, but the pandemic saw it being postponed six months.
Mr Dover said the idea had come about when more prison officers started playing for the Police team, which plays in the Guernsey Football Association leagues.
‘We’ll be doing more things like this in future, not just football,’ said Mr Collenette.
After what had been a good-spirited match under the watchful eye of referee George Jennings, there were tokens of appreciation for him and the linesmen. ‘It’s a get out of jail free card,’ one wag from the teams said as Mr Jennings collected his gift.
Money raised from the event will be donated to the Guernsey Welfare Service and the Sands charity, which supports those affected by stillbirth and neonatal death.
