Muratti win around the corner?

By James Varley

The total eclipse that is Alderney football could be about to reveal a chink of light. (0561355)

ALDERNEY’S recent Muratti thrashing suggested there is little light at the end of the tunnel for our footballers.

Jersey battered Alderney 7-0 in March, leaving them to lick their wounds for at least another 12 months.

However, Alderney coach Rick Flatres said the future could be bright considering the number of talented youngsters who are threatening to break their way into the first team.

And Rick could have a point – especially after a team of teenagers from the island battled gamely against strong opposition in Guernsey recently.

A team of boys aged 13 to 15 took a trip to Sarnia in late March to play their first 11-a-side games and they suggested the total eclipse that is Alderney football could be about to reveal a chink of light.

First the teenagers took on North, who hadn’t lost a game all season. Despite spending large parts of the first half under the cosh, our lads took the lead through Cieran Stretton.

North hit back to equalise soon after, but Joshua McCulloch seized upon a goalkeeping error to put Alderney back in front.

Unfortunately, our boys went down 3-2 after conceding two late goals.

Nevertheless, confidence was now extremely high before the match against Sylvans. And, once again, Alderney took the lead, Ross Benfield the scorer.

Sylvans moved 2-1 in front, but Alderney hit back to equalise before half time and took the lead early in the second period.

Luke Butel levelled the score and McCulloch made it 3-2.

The away side looked to be heading towards a stunning win but Sylvans grabbed a late equaliser.

Alderney supporter Paul Bunn couldn’t praise the boys enough.

‘Though it could have been better results-wise, everyone agreed the trip had been beneficial for our boys,’ he said.

‘We now realise what needs to be done if Alderney are to compete on an inter-island basis in future.’

And you never know – that elusive Muratti victory may be just around the corner. Guernsey and Jersey, you have been warned.

DURING my first visit to Alderney I was told it never snowed here.

But, having lived here for less than a month, I’ve already seen several flurries of the white stuff.

As I come from the freezing north of England, I’m fairly used to seeing snow, walking in it and even attempting to drive in it, but I didn’t realise how excited it made grown adults until I arrived here.

In truth, I could have been forgiven for thinking someone had struck gold down at Braye Beach harbour judging by many people’s reactions on Sunday.