Former North first-team squad player Richard Moore shields the ball from an opponent at Northfield. Should the GFA press ahead with its radical plans, both clubs could be in the new Priaulx League structure next winter. (Pictures by Daniel Guerin, 0563159)
LONDON HOUSE DOGS have become the first Sunday League side to win a league and cup double in their first season.
The pub side beat Academy Cleaners 2-0 in an agonisingly close game in which the fitter team had the final say.
Tom Jenkins gave the Dogs the lead in extra time with a cracking finish from the edge of the box and substitute Jason Mariess London House’s Dickie McKenzie said the game was a good advert for Sunday League football.
‘The Cleaners have run us close all season and it was a tight match all of the way through. We played well as a team and pulled together to win it at the end. Everyone who played for us has been there day in and day out and we deserved the win.’
The game was a gruelling midfield battle from start to finish, with the teams cancelling each other out.
Neither goalkeeper was particularly challenged, although Adam Hooper for the Cleaners and McKenzie for the Dogs both hit the bar early on.
With one minute of extra time remaining, Ben Coulter nearly made it 3-0 for London House with a soaring header, which was disallowed due to a foul.
Academy Cleaners captain Andy Cochrane said it was a close game in which fitness was the deciding factor.
‘All the games that we have played during the season have been close. We were missing a couple of players and they have a few island-class players, but the whole match was good.’
Dogs player-coach Luke Barnes thanked all the team’s supporters for regular cheers of encouragement and also sponsors Pete and Vanessa for their help.
Proposed amendments to Guernsey Football Association regulations mean that from next season players can only play for one team at a time, which may spell the end for the SSL and Business leagues.
Coulter, who plays for both London House Dogs and Priaulx League side St Martin’s, said there was no harm in trying it out.
‘The worst that could happen is that it doesn’t work, so then they could just change it back.
‘The GFA needs to change, though, because it’s the same every year and it’s getting dull.
‘The only problem I can see is that some teams might not have enough players and more games could end up getting voided.’
Long-standing football fan Richard Cochrane said the GFA hadn’t made it clear how the changes would affect Sunday League soccer.
‘Many people play Sunday League because either they work nights during the week and can’t train, or they just want to have a bit of fun and play socially.
‘It could be a good thing if you stop Priaulx players from playing in these matches because it would be fairer, but I’m concerned there won’t be enough players.
‘It would be a shame to harm it, because games like this are a fantastic advert for Sunday League football.’
Loading ...
Share this article:
What are these?