However, a proud Island Ladies first team coach Daniel Griggs felt that the 3-0 scoreline was harsh on his side who were well in the game until the final few minutes.
‘We did not quite play as well as we could have done, but ultimately they were very good,’ he said.
‘In the first five minutes we did the same thing as we did against Jersey in that we won the toss, smashed the ball out of play in their defensive left-hand corner and they could not get out because we did our press well.
‘We did not take advantage of that pressure and manage to score, but for the rest of the first quarter it was even-stevens and we matched them.
‘It was not until the second quarter that Oxford managed to string some moves together and suddenly two girls appeared from the bench and really shone up front. Emma Atkinson was absolutely phenomenal in goal for us and made a couple of world-class saves.
‘Oxford also had a really good sweeper who made it really difficult for our forwards because she was such a quality defender.’
Hawks took the lead just before half-time and at the turnaround Griggs made some alterations to his formation, putting an extra player in midfield to ensure his side were not too exposed at the back.
The changes made a difference.
‘In the third quarter we were absolutely dominant for about 13-14 minutes and we came close to scoring from short-corners a couple of times, though in open play they were a little too smart for us in their D.
‘You got that feeling then that one of two things was going to happen – either we were going to score and go on to win or we would concede and find it really difficult to come back from that. Unfortunately, the latter happened and we were 2-0 down going into the fourth quarter.’
Guernsey did not let their heads drop and continued to create opportunities in the final period, but they were unable to find the goal that would put pressure on their hosts.
‘Then came the sucker-punch when we were pushing players forward trying to score, they scored on the counter which we really did not deserve,’ said Griggs.
‘There wasn’t much between the sides, but we could not put the ball in the net. Our build-up play at times was really good and our pressing was good.
‘But I’ve got to say it was clear that one team had the street smarts of a side who plays a match like that every week for five or six months over the course of the season. We need to create more intense sessions and matches for our players.’
Griggs praised the efforts of young Claudia Bailey, who impressed on her first appearance in national knockout competition while the coach added that Teya Sheppard had one of her better games in the middle of the pitch, forming a solid partnership with Mix Byrom.
While defeat signals the end of the season for Guernsey, their coach is optimistic looking to the future.
‘The players said afterwards that I would be happy for the break, but no, I want to go again already,’ Griggs said. ‘I’m genuinely positive about next season.’
Guernsey Women’s team
Atkinson, Bailey, Byrom, Campbell, Castleman, Le Page, Mahe, McLaughlin, Sheppard, Smit, Smith, Symes, Totty, Veillard, Waldrom.
You need to be logged in to comment.