Sylvans 2, Rangers 0

TWO first-half goals from Kerrie Hussey and Lisa Corten sealed a women’s league and cup double for Sylvans at St Peter’s on Saturday afternoon. The new champions lost only one match out of eight starts this term, ironically against Rangers.

Hussey gave the westerneres the lead in the fourth minute when she broke free in the penalty area to plant a good shot into the far corner of the net. At the other end Rangers were kept at bay for most of the match with some quality defending from the home side. Becky Falla and Vicki Gallienne never put a foot wrong all afternoon.

On a superb playing surface both sides passed the ball well in the first period and the movement and vision were a great advert for women’s football.

A neat snap shot from Corten was well saved by Emma Atkinson in the Rangers goal and it was the Welsh girl who added the second goal shortly afterwards when she forced her way into the area past two defenders and drove a wicked shot high into the net.

Rangers’ Bonny Evans was starved of the ball for most of the match, but when in possession always looked a threat.

On one occasion she poked a defence splitting pass through to Kate Robert, but the youngster was foiled by island keeper Sam Carre.

The second period was a disappointment as the game became very scrappy with both teams failing to string more than three passes together and the goalmouth action virtually non-existent.

Finally, Hussey woke the crowd up when she teased a ball through to Kayleigh Marquis but the ball was well smothered by Atkinson.

Sylvans coach Andy McCarthy would have been pleased with his team’s performance in the first 45 minutes, but the hard-working Rangers made life difficult for his girls as the game wore on.

Overall Sylvans deserved their victory with their territorial advantage, which was echoed by GFA president Alec Le Noury as he presented the gleaming trophy outside the clubhouse to great cheers from both teams in a wonderful sporting manner.