Guernsey under-18s 1, Wiltshire under-18s 4
THE physical difference between UK and island football was plain to see as Guernsey’s under-18s slipped to a third straight South & West Counties League defeat at the Track.

Although Matt Loaring had shot the Greens in front early on, Paul Ockleford’s boys had neither the nous nor strength and stamina to hold Peter Cooper’s Wiltshire side, who might have won by a wider margin but for poor finishing and some good stops by Tom Creed.

Ockleford could hardly do anything other than admit that the better side won – and comfortably so.

Commenting on Guernsey’s second half capitulation, Ockleford observed: ‘We were second best to everything and we lost our way completely and got what we deserved.

‘We didn’t work hard enough and didn’t close them down enough.

‘We ran out of steam and they were no mugs. They were a good county side, to be fair.’

The Wiltshire boss said that a change to 4-4-2 had made the difference.

‘They [Guernsey] fought their corner, to be fair. They were hard to break down, but once we were in front there was only one winner.

‘We’re always slow starters, but in the second half we had a go and got the wingers into the game.’