Guernsey make history in Isle of Man

RETAINING the four team Inter-Island Tournament sets Guernsey up for another tilt at the EH Trophy, according to their player-coach Andy Whalley.

The Sarnian men came back from the biennial competition in the Isle of Man as not only the first side to successfully defend the trophy in its five editions, but also as the first to win it away from home.

Whalley was named as player of the tournament, although it was very much a team effort from the small 13-man squad, as they rattled in 17 goals in just four games, that included a 5-0 win over the hosts in the final.

They had earlier beaten Bermuda 4-0 and the Isle of Man 5-2 in the group stage, but still needed at least a draw in the final game against Jersey to claim a top-two finish and spot in the final because a defeat would have eliminated them on goal difference.

It did not look good for Whalley's men when they trailed 3-2 in the dying minutes, only for regular captain Matt Watson to come off the bench despite a calf injury and score the crucial equaliser.

From there, Guernsey did not look back after reaching the final and hammered the Isle of Man, with top scorer Zak Damarell's brace supported by goals from Chris Lewin, Steve Waldron and Josh Kendal.