Magnificent seven for hosts as Sarnians shine in gloom
IT WAS worth the wait – for Guernsey and their fans at least.
A delay of five hours caused by fog, which saw the City of Manchester team’s flight diverted to Jersey from where they caught the evening ferry to arrive at Footes Lane in time for an 8pm push back, could not blunt the sharpness of the home side who ran out 7-0 winners.
Although their visitors were given a warm welcome off the pitch, on it they were given the run around by an island side whose fluidity, pace and skill was mesmerising at times.
When they are in that sort of mood, there are not many finer sights in local sport.
The opposition were no mugs – far from it. The City of Manchester lie fourth in North West One and to a man knew their roles well and tried to carry them out as efficiently as possible.
But Guernsey looked like a side with a purpose, that purpose being to ensure they are ready to face the old enemy on Saturday 10 March.
‘It was a thoroughly enjoyable game. It was exactly what we needed to get the boys set up for three weeks’ time,’ said a grinning Guernsey player-coach Andy Whalley.
‘The boys played with absolutely the right attitude, they went out really solidly, we concentrated on our game and doing the simple things really well and executed some excellent goals.’
Guernsey's goals came via a Sam Dawes hat-trick, two from Zak Damarell and one apiece for Whalley and captain Adie Peacegood.
More in Tuesday's Guernsey Press.
