Grierson steals the show as ‘Le God’ proves big draw

The Corbet Field hasn’t seen so many flood through its gates since the Island Games of 2003 and they had not come to see the Guernsey right-back.

All eyes were on the Guernsey No. 7, nowhere near as thin and sprightly as when he darted around the same pitch as a free scoring Vale Rec junior, but still with a touch of a footballing king.

The two big questions were: 1, Whether he’d get on the scoresheet and, 2, which Jerseyman would dare kick him first.

Playing centrally he ignored any Gegen-pressing tactics of his beloved Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, instead settling into a role of pacing himself.

There was a lot of that from the great man in the early minutes, while at the other end Jersey were distinctly lively and three times in the opening three minutes went close.

Le Tissier switched wide left to twist the right back inside out and back inside in, before producing a cross of inconsequence, but it certainly got the roadside crowd excited.

Ten minutes after kick off the 800-plus crowd were still streaming in and the Cheshire fund charity was doing very nicely, which would have had the likes of Paul Ockleford, the home skipper and O50s driving force purring with satisfaction.

The sweet delivery of a left foot pass inside the Jersey right back will have pleased him too.

Former Jersey Muratti man Peter Grierson was catching the eye too and he set up another early chance for the visitors.

This was no exhibition. It was competitive, blood and added guts stuff.

Le Tissier survived the first swathe of rolling substitutions made 20 minutes in, before Jersey went ahead with a neatly taken goal by star man Grierson.

Dare we say it but Jersey looked stronger in attack.

Le Tissier swung over a dangerous corner that led to Ockleford volleying over and as half time approached the crowd favourite was yet to fashion a shot on goal.

The thrill of playing in front of such a big audience was in the sweaty faces of all the veterans to see and the opening half ended with the Reds still ahead.

Four minutes into the second half Lee Manning burst through from wide left to draw a good save out of Barry Freeman and soon after a Le Tissier corner warranted goal-line technology as it dropped under the bar.

It took almost an hour for the first hamstring to pop, and it was a Caesarean one too.

Jersey passed up two good chances to double their lead and, at last, the star attraction got fouled. He did not take it to heart.

Late on the ball fell from the air to Le Tissier on the edge of the box but the volley flew a foot too high. Cue multiple sighs.

A minute later Ockleford drew a fine tip over save from Freeman.

Jersey held on a tad nervously but they were worthy winners, as was the game itself and a very grateful charity.