This Is Guernsey

By Gareth Le Prevost

Guernsey 3, Devon 4
TOM DUNLOP knocked Guernsey out of the Mick Parry Cup with all four goals for Devon at the Corbet Field.

The scoreline suggests that the game was closer than it was with the visitors having established a 4-1 half-time lead and Guernsey’s final goal coming deep into injury time.

To be fair, the hosts were much better after the interval, thanks largely to the introduction of Daena Bodie, but the damage had already been done.

The signs were ominous in the second minute when Dunlop raced away but saw his shot saved by Will Jarrold before Jack Tostevin made a brave block from the impressive Luke Martin from the rebound.

The game was less than five minutes old when Dunlop found the net for the first time with a composed finish having been put through by Josh French.

However, Guernsey replied instantly with no little help from the visitors as Devon goalkeeper Curtis Parkin lost his footing on the edge of the area when trying to deal with a back pass and covering defender Scott Baxter succeeded only in hitting his attempted clearance into Stuart Roussel, who was delighted to take credit for his fortunate goal.

Parity lasted for only 12 minutes, though, with Dunlop scoring his second with a shot that both Jarrold and Tostevin tried to keep out but couldn’t.

On the half-hour, the Devon No. 9 completed his hat-trick with Martin again claiming the assist with a right-wing cross to the far post that Dunlop just had to help in.

There were still 10 minutes to go until half-time when Devon and Dunlop made it four, capitalising on a mix up in the Guernsey defence to score his easiest goal of the evening.

Bodie’s introduction at half-time paid dividends within seven minutes as Dan Ozanne’s fine pass found the striker who never looked like missing.

That goal gave Guernsey greater belief and they mixed it with their opponents throughout the rest of the game, but chances were at a premium.

Luke Winch came closest with a terrific long-range effort that was tipped onto the bar and bounced down on the line. There were brief appeals that it went in, but play continued.

Eventually Guernsey scored their third through Roussel in the 93rd minute, but it was too little, too late.Mick Parry Cup: Guernsey made to pay for poor first-half display

Article posted on 26th October, 2009 - 2.29pm