Guernsey U21s 5, Naval Air Command 2

THE island under-21s are looking good ahead of next month’s inter-insular clash, claiming an easy win over the Royal Naval Air Command at Blanche Pierre Lane last night. Although the RNAC did not offer the toughest of tests, the U21s, with only a couple of over-age players in their line-up, were disciplined and fluid. It bodes well for coach Steve Ogier as they start to prepare for the Ambassadeur Bowl against their Jersey counterparts on Saturday 3 November.

The only blip on the night was that they allowed their opposition to get back into the game at 2-2 by half time.

‘To say the guys haven’t play together before, I was very pleased with the performance,’ said Ogier.

‘I was happy at half time. The two goals we conceded were poor but I’d prefer to learn lessons like that here rather than in the Ambassadeur Bowl.

‘Coming out for the second half I always felt that we’d go on and win the game.’

Guernsey looked stronger than their older and slower opponents from the kick off. Glyn Dyer was causing all kinds of problems down the left flank as was Mark Ramsden on the other wing.

The RNAC’s 3-5-2 formation did not help their cause either because their three centre backs were continually being caught out as a couple of chances went begging for home side.

The greens eventually opened their account after 15min. when Dom Heaume had a simple tap in after some great work by Ramsden.

Heaume got a second two minutes later when his strike partner, Craig Young, intercepted a poor back pass by Jamie Adam to keeper Bob Hoskins before passing to Heaume, who then had another simple tap in.

But somehow the island side failed to capitalise on their cushion and they allowed the RNAC to claw back into the game.

Their first goal came courtesy of Steve O’Neil with a close range diving header after Jamie Thirkle found him with a pinpoint cross. The winger had used his pace and skill to defy Guernsey right back Ross Elliott who then accidentally handled a Jamie Marles shot in the area and referee Ian Le Prevost wasted no time in pointing to the spot. Dan Williams tucked away the penalty as Elliott’s name went down in Le Prevost’s book.

Ogier clearly used the 15min. with his team wisely as they came out for the second half with more purpose. He also re-jigged his troops bringing Kris Moherndl on for Dyer, who was unlucky not to see more of the ball in his time on the pitch, and Aaron Gallie on for Elliott.

They took the lead within a couple of minutes of the re-start as Naro Zimmerman found the net with a back post header from a free kick. It was fair reward for the Sylvans centre back who had a great game, winning all his headers.

On the hour mark Gavin Le Page replaced his North team mate Alex Le Prevost and when Hoskins fumbled a cross Le Page buried it into the top of the net. Heaume wrapped up his hat-trick with 10 minutes to go.

Guernsey U-21s: Woodford 6; Elliott 6 (Gallie 45), Zimmerman 8, Strawbridge 7, O’Regan 6; Ramsden 7, Le Prevost 6 (Le Page 58), Ferbrache 6, Dyer 7 (Moherndl 45); Young (capt.) 8 (McKenzie 67), HEAUME 8.

RNAC: Hoskins 4; Pattison 5, Welsby 5 (Sadd 78), Adam 4; Marles 5, Slade 5, Haigh 6, Philp 5, THIRKLE 7 (Emerson 72); Williams 5, O’Neil 7 (Dale 67).

Referee: I. Le Prevost 6.