North 0, St Martin’s 1

AS GAMES go, the league decider was dour, like so many of St Martin’s 17 victories in their 12th championship-winning season: their performance workmanlike but downright effective. The new champions are a team in the true meaning of the word: a well-knitted, committed bunch with power, pace, experience and two of the best coaches in the business.

They also probably know they are a shade lucky to be stepping out as Guernsey’s representatives in the Upton Park Trophy later this month. The title would have been North’s but for the width of a football.

It was such a margin that separated Jon Veron from sensationally levelling with 94min. on the clock, as a fair proportion of the crowd indeed thought he had.

Up until then, Saints had been calmly defending the western end and a 45th-min. lead given to them by defender Etienne Ogier.

But when keeper Nathan Pattimore came and failed to gather on the edge of his box, suddenly Veron had the chance to be a hero. He pulled the trigger and the ball hit the net – the side netting.

At that moment the hearts of both North and Saints supporters were in their mouths. Veron’s head was in his hands and for someone who has enjoyed an outstanding season, he deserves a better end to the campaign – a Muratti winner perhaps?

The game took almost a full 45 minutes to come to life as nerves, a bumpy pitch and strong crosswind got the better of everyone.

But on the brink of half-time, Saints won a corner courtesy of Paul de Garis’ fantastic instinctive save to keep out a Dominic Heaume effort.

Saints opted for a short corner and in a well-worked move involving Kevin Gilligan and Pierre Jehan, the ball was laid into the path of Ogier on the edge of the box.

One full swing of the right boot later and the ball soared into the top right-hand corner.

It was Saints’ first serious shot on goal of the game, while at the other end the Duff brothers had already both spurned good chances and Veron had seen a crisp shot well blocked by Pattimore’s knees.

Pattimore was to be Saints’ saviour more than once. As North stepped up the pressure late in the game, the island number three twice made an excellent stop.

On 76min. he denied young Kyle Stone a goal with his first touch after coming on as a sub for Ross Cameron, diving bravely at the midfielder’s feet when it seemed he must score on AJ Saunders’ cut-back.

Six minutes later, Stone let fly with a shot destined for the same corner that Ogier had earlier found, only this time Pattimore flung himself wide and touched the ball around for a corner.

Dave Rihoy, who had been fairly subdued due to the excellent policing of Steve Concanen, also fired over as North’s desperation grew stronger.

In the end, Saints’ tactics, strength of will and power won the day.

Jan Renouf, given the armband with first-choice skipper Mark Coutanche deemed unfit, was immense in midfield, winning tackles and headers.

Ogier, the goalscorer, latched onto Veron all afternoon, while young Sam Rowe swept up excellently.

Simon Geall, initially on the left of the midfield and then on the right, was so solid and Jehan, who replaced an injured Andy Graham after 26min., filled in well on the left.

Gilligan, until he gave way to Hunter, Luke Allen and Darren Le Tissier used all their years of experience as Renouf’s game-plan worked a treat.

North struggled to find their way through and unusually used keeper de Garis to fire long ball after long ball downfield to chase, neglecting their usual pass-and-move style.

For a game of such importance the tackles flew in from all angles, but all the while referee Matt Walsh maintained a strong grip and by the end of the day had just a couple of North names in the book.

Walsh finally allowed Saints to celebrate after adding on more than six minutes of stoppage time and during those closing moments, sub Adam Heaume twice might have stretched Saints’ lead.

But the best chance of all fell to Veronﾅ