Late Heartache for the Nomads
Mauger Cup Final, May 23rd at Victoria Park Guernsey
Vale Recreation 2 – 1 Alderney Nomads
On a beautiful cloudless evening at the home of Guernsey FC 14million Victoria Park stadium, our proud Island team took on a very strong Vale Recreation team in a bid for silver ware in the Mauger Cup Final, kick off 17.30. Previously in the afternoon Guernsey’s hope of promotion were denied by a very decent Peacehaven & Telscombe side who cruised to a 1-4 victory, in the crowd were most of the Nomads players and officials not looking inconspicuous in their smart Alderney FC range of clothing!
Our team welcomed back Jamie Blackham, and Andrew Mills who both made long UK journeys to join the squad along with Guernsey based players Miles Pengelley and Zach Masterton-Pipet.
Miles started in centre midfield and Zach were needed after 13mins to replace injured Mills at left back. An even first quarter as both sides were sizing each other up VR had a couple of speculative shots without troubling keeper Carre, and Walkers freekick was comfortably saved was the closest Alderney came. On the half hour the Nomads were awarded a penalty, much to the delight of the support in particular the 15 ladies hen party led by bride to be Shauna Jenkins all in safari gear! Unfortunately, Blackhams shot was saved and the opportunity to take a valuable lead passed, it was Jamie’s first penalty miss in 13 occasions!
A few bookings and a close-range miss from VR n09 ended up safely in Carres arms, as halt time approached a very rare misguided pass by Parry fell to VR forward who neatly slotted it passed Carre 0-1
Half Time Alderney 0-1 Vale Recreation
On 52 mins VR scored their second and crucial goal, they started the 2nd period more brightly, it prompted Nomad substitutions Owen Carre and Olly Talyor replaced Lawrence and Connor who both put in a shift. But it was VR who were so close to making it 3 and putting the game to bed, however Carre made a fantastic flying tipped save, much to the delight of the Nomad support. This spurred on the lads and soon began to create their own chances, a walker cross narrowly evaded Owen, then a lifeline Olly Taylor scores as he ran the ball into an empty net, Walker had a few shots blocked, Jack Ives turn and shot inside the box went agonizingly wide, another Alderney corner, another Walker blocked shot and Mills shot over the bar, the Nomads were really pilling on the pressure. Into time added on with shots raining in on the VR goal a cross across the box was met by 16yr old Billy House who smashed the ball in! A last-minute equalizer was denied by a narrow offside, head in hands reaction and disappointment. So unlucky the team really left everything on the 4G pitch that evening and the wait goes on for cup joy.
Full time 1-2
Team: Dean Carre, Sean Maloy, Andy Adamson, John Adamson, Andrew Mills, Miles Pengelley, Jermaine Parry, Dante Walker, Andy Lawrence, Liam Connor & Jamie Blackham.
Subs: Olly Taylor, Jack Ives, Zach Masterton-Pipet, Owen Carre, Billy House
