Sylvans 2, St Martin’s 0
SYLVANS were the well-deserved winners of the Fletcher Sports FA Cup last night, becoming the third name on the trophy in as many seasons. Throughout the 90 minutes, the red-and-whites showed more passion, commitment and produced an all-round better performance than their opponents.
And on a great night for island football, more than 800 spectators crammed into the Garenne Stand and the far side of the Foote’s Lane pitch as the westerners took the honours with two second-half goals.
There were euphoric scenes after the final whistle when the Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland presented the cup to Sylvans captain Matt Warren.
‘I’m absolutely delighted,’ said Danny Watts, who set Sylvans on their way with the opening goal.
‘We said at half-time that we needed to get something in the back of the net and I happened to be there in the right place at the right time.’
Before Watts’ opener just after the hour mark, Sylvans had definitely been the stronger of the two but just could not quite find that elusive goal.
After a typically nervous cup final start with both teams failing to settle, the early play was scrappy and unimaginative.
The occasion especially seemed to get to Saints goalkeeper Nathan Pattimore, who made a number of fumbles that, luckily for him, came to nothing.
But the match sprung to life in the 27th minute when Saints’ midfielder Robert Pickford rattled the post with a 25-yard thunderbolt that certainly woke up the crowd.
Almost immediately at the other end, Sylvans felt they deserved a free kick when Simon Geall brought down Watts on the edge of the box. There was even a suggestion that it could have been a penalty but, amazingly, referee Brent Blondel, who was right on top of the action, waved play on.
Sylvans striker Kris Moherndl then came close to putting his side ahead on 35 minutes with a strike that almost rivalled Pickford’s effort but Pattimore, now over his nerves, pulled off a top save to deny him.
Saints were next to challenge in the first minute of the second half, Will Thompson breaking free only to be denied by keeper Paul de Garis.
With Sylvans now starting to pull the strings, Moherndl should have put his side ahead on the hour when Watts picked him out with an excellent cross to the far post. But the attacker made a hash of his header and it went harmlessly wide.
Then winger Blane Queripel, who also should have found the back of the net, screwed his left-foot shot wide from inside the area.
These were soon forgotten, however, as the westerners’ and island captain Matt Warren sped down the left flank with the ball before crossing low through a crowded box. Watts was on hand to tap-in, the 19-year-old winger making it look simple after timing his run to perfection.
With 20 minutes to go, Tom Duff got Sylvans’ second with another tap-in after Pattimore had done well to get a hand on Aaron Ferbrache’s shot.
In response, Saints pushed men forward which in turn left them open at the back.
Moherndl nearly took advantage of this with 10 minutes left, but his close range shot was well saved by Pattimore with his legs.
Saints themselves had couple of chances as firstly Sylvans defender Ben Duff did well to clear a header off the line from a corner and Richard Herpe, by now playing up front, missed a golden opportunity at another corner. His volley tamely found de Garis in the middle of the goal.
This proved to be the last moment of note in the match as Blondel blew his whistle soon afterwards.
‘I think the best team won,’ said Trevor Allan, who stood in as Saints coach for the holidaying Colin Fallaize.
‘They just seemed more committed all over the park. I’m not saying our lads weren’t but they just seemed to have the extra edge.
‘They also had a bit extra class in Matt Warren. I think we were lucky to go in at half time nil-all - they had the better half.
‘I feel sorry for Colin Fallaize. He couldn’t be here.
‘It’s disappointing but we live to fight another day.’
Article posted on 5th April, 2007 - 12.00am
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