England prove themselves masters at Footes Lane
THE England Masters showed that bit of quality everyone was expecting as they overcame the Guernsey first team at Footes Lane on Saturday afternoon.
You do not get to represent your country by simply being average and the visiting over-40s side had some class players among their ranks, with captain Paula Nicholas and goalscorers Charlotte Cross and Carol Quill just some of those who shone.
However, once Guernsey got to grips with the opposition and the fact that they were able to compete with them, Guernsey gave as good as they got for long spells, particularly in the second half when their efforts were eventually and deservedly rewarded with a goal.
'That is exactly what we need to be playing week in, week out,' said Guernsey women's coach David Wray.
'There was a bit of intensity in it, some good players and, as in any team game, we got punished if we gave the ball away.'
Wray added: 'We were better in the second half and we created enough chances, certainly enough short corners, to have scored one or two more goals – that's where the Guernsey men are good and perhaps we need to take a leaf out of their book. But it has been a good season. The girls have come on a lot.'
