Penalty practice makes perfect for Guernsey

AFTER dominating two previous EH Men's Trophy finals to no avail, perhaps it was justice that Guernsey came out on top of the closest one of the lot.

However, for the first 20 minutes or so of the recent match in Nottingham, there was a familiar pattern emerging as the Greens flew out of the blocks and swarmed all over Banbury.

Andy Whalley's men were creating virtually a chance a minute in the opening five minutes and Zak Damarell even had the ball in the net during that time, only to see his effort disallowed.

Crucially, the opening goal materialised in the sixth minute to calm any anxieties there might have been among the players that it was about to be the same old story.

It came at a short corner, which was initially slipped back to injector Andy Alford and, although the first attempt was blocked, the ball fell to Tim Ravenscroft and he fired home.

Guernsey maintained their momentum and a trademark drive forward from Whalley created a chance for Watson, but he missed his attempted reverse flick from close range.

They did not have long to wait until doubling their lead, though, as Ben Cormack's long aerial was misjudged by a defender, leaving Damarell and Watson with a two-on-one situation of which they took full advantage.

Watson will rarely have scored a more straightforward goal.

It took 23min. for Banbury to pose a threat to the Guernsey defence and they were up to the task as Adie Peacegood made an outstanding block on George Brooker.

Jake Le Marchant was called upon for the first time seven minutes later to make a regulation save from Harry Loxton, but there was nothing the Guernsey goalkeeper could do moments later to prevent Barney Williams snatching a goal back to halve the deficit.

Guernsey responded immediately, though, restoring their two-goal cushion three minutes before the interval with a move started and finished by young Sam Dawes with Whalley and Watson heavily involved in the fast-paced attack.

A 3-1 lead was the least Guernsey deserved for their first-half performance, but they certainly needed it as Banbury came out firing after the break and quickly reduced the arrears.

A sustained period of pressure saw Le Marchant make a couple of good blocks and Alford one fine interception, but eventually Brooker forced the ball home and Banbury were right back in it.

Seven minutes later they were level.

It was a simple short corner routine with Kyle White set up for the drag flick which found its way into the net via a slight deflection.

Now Guernsey were under the cosh and only the intervention of the officials prevented them going behind when Banbury were claiming a fourth goal on 52min. before a dangerous ball from James Long flashed across the face of goal, inviting a touch from a forward that never came.

The Sarnians managed to withstand the storm, though, and in the final quarter-of-an-hour began asking questions of their own.

Unfortunately for them, Banbury goalkeeper Scott Reynolds had the answers as he made a vital save to deny Watson on a quick counterattack and then slid out to block Whalley's effort.

At the other end, Peacegood's diving block drew roars of approval from the Guernsey fans who had made the journey to support their team and Le Marchant was alert with a couple of minutes remaining to boot away Loxton's reverse stick strike.

Guernsey forced a late short corner, but it came to nothing and proved to be the last chance of the 70min. and so strokes were required.

The first four were all scored with minimal fuss as Josh Nunneley and Loxton found the net for Banbury, Damarell and Waldrom likewise for Guernsey.

But Brooker was unable to match them and his flick clattered into the angle of crossbar and post to crack the door ajar for Guernsey.

Cormack pushed it open even wider with a calm stroke and then Le Marchant pulled off an outstanding stop low to his left to push away Tyson Nunneley's effort.

That left the stage clear for Watson and he made no mistake to send his teammates delirious.

'The first 20 minutes was some of the best hockey we have ever played,' said Whalley.

'It seemed like we were everywhere – tackling well, chasing back and creating some wonderful chances.

'We were 2-0 up and probably should have scored a couple more.

'But Banbury just plugged away, pressed us much higher in the second half and we struggled to get it out from the back a little bit.

'When they got their second, they knew they were in with a shout and I think nerves showed a little bit – the finals from the past came into our minds at that stage – but when we found ourselves at 3-3, that's when we came out and started playing again.'

The player-coach added that he does not expect to lose many of his players to retirement now, even with the Trophy back in the cabinet after the inaugural victory in 2009.

'I want to say a thank you to the lads for all their hard work through the season because we start off in August and it is a huge commitment, so this trophy is very well deserved.'

Guernsey team

Le Marchant, Wallen, Alford (captain), Peacegood, Cormack, Whalley, Ravenscroft, Cox, Watson, Damarell, Kendal, Dawes, Waldrom, Cameron, Pugh, Gidney.