Ball on the loose: Visiting keeper Bob Hoskins and Nigel Hutton, the under-21s striker, eye a cross into the box. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0850188)

Guernsey Under-21s 1, Royal Naval Air Command XI 0
SCOTT ROWE made a string of brilliant late saves to keep a persistent Naval Air Command at bay in last night’s friendly at Blanche Pierre Lane.

The Bels goalkeeper, described as ‘awesome’ by visiting manager Richard Gwilliam, won’t be available for tomorrow’s Malaya Cup clash against the same opposition, but he certainly laid down his marker for the No. 1 jersey ahead of next month’s Under-21 Muratti.

Billy Page’s goal midway through the second half seemed to have earned the home side the win, but as Guernsey boss Tony Vance continued to shuffle his pack the men in blue finished strongly and but for Rowe’s agility would have at least snatched a draw.

In the final 10 minutes, the Belgrave reserve, who tomorrow features in the island basketball team’s maiden UK League clash away, tipped one headed effort over the bar, stopped another smartly down to his left and, finally, produced another brilliant fingertip stop to deny big Tom Ardley’s fierce drive which was heading for the top of the net.

Bob Hoskins was not nearly as busy in the NAC goal, but overall Vance should have been a happy man as his side played some neat stuff and were the more cultured, dominant side until their game started to lose pattern with so many changes breaking up the flow.