This Is Guernsey

By Gareth Le Prevost

St Sampson’s 1, Elizabeth College 0

IT TOOK a beautifully worked goal to settle last night’s hard fought Sigma Cup final at Northfield. It was difficult to believe that the previous time these two sides met ended in St Sampson’s giving Elizabeth College a 7-0 thumping because, on this evidence, they were pretty evenly matched.

On that occasion, though, the college were missing a couple of key players and there was never a hint of a repeat showing, although they eventually had to bow to Will Garnett’s second half header, which proved the difference.

In fact the college navy blues started the brighter and within the opening three minutes had the ball in the back of the St Sampson’s net, thanks to Jack Curran’s superb strike.

Unfortunately for him, though, the assistant’s flag at the other end of the pitch had long been raised as the goalkeeper Erik Sharman had inadvertently carried the ball out of his area in the process of kicking it downfield to start the attack.

When Tom Pattimore did likewise 13min. later, college captain Joe Duquemin fired the resultant free kick just wide and Curran went even closer on 24min. as his excellent volley came back off the bar.

St Sampson’s also hit the woodwork before the break, with River Marsh’s long-range right-foot shot just not quite dipping enough.

It was the boys in the royal blue who posed more of a threat after the interval with Marsh again going close early on with a fine individual effort while Garnett hit the outside of the corner stanchion after Marcus Heaume’s neat through ball.

Sharman thwarted Garnett’s next attempt as he stuck out his left foot to turn the shot around the post but moments later the striker finally broke the deadlock.

The chance was created by the impressive Tom de la Mare who swung in a cross from the right, which Garnett headed home via the far post.

St Sampson’s, who were solid defensively throughout the second period, pressed for a second in the remaining 18 minutes. It did not arrive, but they were left celebrating at the final whistle.

n ONE minute’s silence was held before the game in memory of Stan Robilliard, the St Martin’s and Sports Federation stalwart, who sadly died yesterday.