Mackay sees promise in youngsters’ display

He was speaking after the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm won the Malaya Cup 3-2 against the U21s at Blanche Pierre Lane at the weekend in a see-saw match

‘It was confirmed at very short notice, so there were a lot of other games going on and we were struggling for players a little bit, so considering all of those circumstances it was actually a good performance,’ said Mackay, who is also in charge of the Island U18s.

The traditional fixture, which takes place on Charybdis and Limbourne Memorial Weekend, saw a number of U18s and U17s turn out for the Guernsey XI.

The hosts took the lead in the first half through Seb Vance, before the Navy levelled up late in the opening 45.

The visitors were next to score as they took the lead midway through the second half, and a third Navy strike gave them some breathing space.

Callum Le Lacheur pulled one back for the U21s late on, but a late push from the young Sarnian side did not result in an equaliser.

‘It was a decent team effort. I suppose the one player that I did not know much about who started was George Montgomery and he had a very decent game,’ said the Guernsey coach.

‘He was the youngest starter and it was his first game at a more senior level for the island, so I was definitely pleased with him.

‘Everyone did pretty well, it was a good effort but unfortunately we came out on the wrong side.

‘I think that there were some passages of play that were very promising, the midfield linked up well at times and with Tiago Rodrigues who played up front.

‘There were definitely some promising signs for the year ahead that we can definitely build on.’