Guernsey still on the road to Lee Valley
GOALKEEPER Adrian Gidney fully justified his recall to the Guernsey starting XI as his heroics between the sticks saw them through to the EH Trophy semi-finals.
In a match that would have been fitting of the final between arguably the two best teams remaining in the competition, there was little to choose between the home side and London Edwardians at Footes Lane yesterday afternoon when the quality of some of the hockey was excellent and the defending was outstanding.
Guernsey player-coach Andy Whalley had revealed beforehand that he would be 'amazed' if there was more than one goal between the sides and as it turned out it was closer than that as the quarter-final came down to the dreaded penalty strokes.
The hosts initially fell 2-1 behind from the spot as Sam Dawes lifted his flick over the bar after Stephen Brogden and Stu Jackson had both scored for the visitors and Steve Waldrom had been successful with Guernsey's first attempt.
But there were to be no more mistakes from the Greens as Whalley and Zak Damarell both scored while Tim Craven and Tim Weekes both hit the same post for London Eds.
That meant that Mikey Franklin had to find the net to keep the visitors' hopes alive, but Gidney stuck out his right glove to push away the stroke and cue the celebrations.
More in Mondays Guernsey Press.
