This Is Guernsey

Jersey Wanderers 2, North 2

After extra time: Wanderers win 4-2 on penalties

NORTHERNERS’ under-16s were seconds away from lifting the John Leatt Memorial Trophy on Saturday, before conceding a penalty kick against Jersey Wanderers in the second half of extra time.

That converted award dragged them into a penalty shootout which they lost 4-2 to the Jersey champions - so for the second weekend in succession the club left Springfield empty-handed after an Upton final.

They will be hoping to avoid an unwanted Upton hat-trick at the weekend when they face Wanderers again in the under-18 version in Guernsey.

North’s youngsters had twice led, through striker Nigel Hutton on the stroke of half-time and a Matt Loaring solo effort in the first period of extra time.

But a goal from Wanderers’ big striker Ciaran Cooper and midfielder Michael Weir’s penalty twice dragged them level.

In the shoot-out Wanderers converted their first four kicks, but North’s third and fourth attempts both missed the target, Aaron Lamb blasting wide and Scott Bougourd striking a post. Kieron Mathon and Hutton were on target for North.

North coach Paul Pengelley thought his team had done enough to earn victory.

‘It was a good, fair game and I’ve no complaints about the penalty award, but my view is that we edged it overall.’

Wanderers boss John Hannah saw things differently, although he, too, was delighted with the sporting manner of the match, which was well controlled by referee Russell Barry.

‘I thought we should have buried it earlier than we did - we were the better side for long periods, but did not make the most of our chances.’

Although Wanderers controlled the first 20 minutes, with Jay Reid particularly impressive, they had nothing to show for it, with Barry Keith’s blocked shot the closest they had come.

In a rare attack, North’s Hutton had headed a long punt forward over the head of advancing keeper Jon Monserez but his effort struck the post.

This signalled a change of fortune with North now pressing and only a goal-line clearance by Harry Watson stopped Lamb putting North ahead. Monserez was twice more called into action to deal with shots from Loaring and Lamb.

But North were not to be denied and Loaring’s low cross from the right was turned past Monserez by Hutton seconds before the half time whistle.

Wanderers roared back after the break and Reid, Johnny Hickling and Weir had all gone close to an equaliser, with the latter smashing against the crossbar, before their breakthrough came on 50 minutes.

Keith flicked a delightful pass through to Cooper who did well to strike a low right-foot shot past the left hand of goalkeeper Tom Creed.

Wanderers piled on the pressure and should really have sealed the victory. But chance after chance was spurned and extra time arrived.

Weir twice went close in the first extra period as did Hickling, but it was North’s Loaring, running through the middle from inside his own half, who made the next breakthrough. His powerful run seemed to have run its course when he was shepherded to the left of the area but his low, well-placed, left-foot shot from 20 yards evaded Monserez’s dive.

With Sam de la Haye now pushed up front as Wanderers desperately searched for a lifeline, North could have sealed the victory, but an exhausted looking Lamb could not turn in Hutton’s cross when faced with an open goal.

That proved costly indeed. Just seconds from the end, Tom Duarte fouled Weir for a clear penalty that was tucked away in style by Weir himself.

Article posted on 30th April, 2007 - 12.00am