This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mollet

Rangers 1, Rocquaine Utd 2 (after extra-time)

ROCQUAINE United’s ageing side pulled off arguably the biggest shock in Fletchersports FA Cup history to keep their dreams alive at drizzly St Andrew’s yesterday. The left shin of Chris Chamberlain topped off a superb battling performance to roll back the years to the glory era of the 90s for many of the ex and current Sylvans lads and give them a thoroughly deserved 2-1 extra-time victory over Rangers.

In a dramatic game that had virtually everything - two red cards, numerous yellows and a stoppage time penalty equaliser - spectators certainly got their money’s worth.

‘It does not matter who we draw - we have done so well. I did not think we would get this far but the sky is the limit now,’ said ecstatic coach Colin Renouf.

Rangers coach Mac Gallienne was gracious in defeat.

‘I thought it was a cracking cup tie and that is what the FA Cup is all about. We have lost but I thought the result was well deserved. It would be nice if they got Sylvans in the next round - it would keep the excitement going,’ he said.

Rocquaine completely dominated the opening salvos and created several golden opportunities - mostly spurned by Chamberlain, who proved to be a nuisance to Rangers all afternoon with a display of his sublime skills after suffering long-term injuries.

But on 24 minutes, against the run of play, they found themselves behind as Jon Veron collected a corner, eluded a challenge and fired an unstoppable low shot into the corner at the clubhouse end from 20 yards.

Playing downhill in the second half, Rocquaine’s dug-out contingent thought Rangers’ skipper Dave Parrott should have been sent off for deliberate handball, as Chamberlain looked to race clear.

But he received only a yellow from Matt Walsh, who generally got the big decisions right.

Adam Heaume added some spark to Rocquaine when he came off the bench to replace injured captain Lee Renouf.

But Rangers should have sealed the game when Iain Lowe delivered a pinpoint ball into the box on a plate for Ryan Gontier but his first touch was dreadful and the danger was abated.

With 15 minutes to go, Rocquaine had an effort cleared off the line and they were urged to keep driving and believing.

With 90 minutes on the clock Heaume rounded goalkeeper Chris Parrott but his weak shot hit the post and rebounded to safety.

Then all hell broke loose.

Adie Exall’s substitute appearance with 10 minutes remaining proved to be short-lived. After being pushed to the ground by Barney Molloy, he reacted angrily by headbutting him. He was red carded and Molloy got a yellow.

But despite being down to 10 men Rocquaine got their reward in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

After Chamberlain put him through, Heaume was brought down by Parrott for a stonewall penalty.

Mark Coutanche coolly made no mistake from the spot and Walsh blew his whistle a minute later.

The drama continued in the first minute of extra time as skipper Parrott walked for a foul on Chamberlain near the dug-outs.

Chris Parrott then made a super tip-over save to thwart former Island captain John Nobes heading Rocquaine ahead.

But shortly afterwards, Chamberlain’s shin came to their rescue from 12 yards as he latched on to Kevin Gilligan’s quickly taken free-kick to fire in the winner.

Article posted on 7th January, 2008 - 12.00am