Guernsey game ends in 4-4 draw

Isthmian League – South Central Division

Hanworth Villa 4

• Kyen Nicholas (6′)
• Kyen Nicholas (29′)
• Sam Merson (31′)
• Sam Merson (68′)

Guernsey 4

• Matt Loaring (36′)
• David Merris (49′)
• Ryan-Zico Black (70′)
• Matt Loaring (90′ pen)

Match report

Attendance 120

Hanworth headed into the match without a recognised goalkeeper due to the unavailability of both Gary Ross and Terry Buss. Taking his place inbetween the sticks was coach Dean Wells. Also coming into the line-up was Louis Taylor, making his first start of the season.

How we lined up

First half

Guernsey kicked off the match shooting towards the A316 end, and had the first chance when Keene Domaille played a ball through to Samuel Murray, his shot being deflected behind for a corner. The resulting kick was played into the box where Owen Wallbridge’s shot was scooped up by Wells. His quick thinking launched the ball up the other end where Kyen Nicholas trapped the ball on the edge of the area, his shot being blocked by a defender.

Nicholas opens the scoring: 1-0

Hanworth took an early lead in the 6th minute when a long throw from Sam Merson near the halfway line found Nicholas, following into the box he looped the ball off his shin over the advancing Josh Addison and into the far corner of the goal.

Another Merson throw in the 11th minute was flicked over the keeper and across the goalmouth by Taylor, but no-one in red was on hand to poke the ball over the goal-line.

Villa were now racking up the chances, first Finlay Macnab picked up a ball from Matthew Gbio in midfield, his pass through to Nicholas was just a touch too hard enabling Addison to collect the ball.

On the quarter hour Merson played in Nicholas, his turn and shot was parried by Addison, the ‘keeper collecting at the second attempt. A minute later and Gagandeep Samra played a ball behind the Guernsey defence, Merson picking up the ball and crossing into the box just with too much power and rolling for a throw on the far side.

Seventeen minutes and another attempt by Nicholas was dragged agonisingly wide of the post. Within seconds of the goal-kick Macnab picked up the ball and shot just over the bar.

Nicholas gets a second: 2-0

Hanworth’s domination finally secured a second goal in the 29th minute. Samra picked up the ball on the halfway line, he played a ball onto Merson who quickly passed to Macnab. His first time cross into the box found Nicholas, who managed to flick the ball over Addison off of his chest and into the back of the net.

Sam Merson scores a worldie: 3-0

Straight from the re-start, Guernsey lost possession to Sean Fraser, his ball upfield was dealt poorly by Thomas Vaudin as his clearing header fell straight into the path of Merson, his first time half volley from 40 yards out flying straight over the stranded Addison to give Villa what seemed like an unassailable three goal lead.

No such thing as an unassailable lead: 3-1

Just 5 minutes later and the visitors had pulled a goal back, Louis Collins having made a tackle on Matt Loaring found his clearance deflect back into danger and into the path of Dave Merris, his shot being saved by Wells, he though managed to cut the ball back to Loaring, who shot high over Wells and into the top of the net.

Guernsey then had a call for a penalty, as a ball into the box found Samuel Murray, he though went down after close attention from Gbio. The referee was unimpressed waving away the shouts.

Hanworth saw out the half with another attempt as a free-kick into the box fell at the feet of Nicholas, the ball being caught between his feet prevented him from getting a shot off.

Second half

The second half kicked off with Hanworth straight on the attack, a ball into the box was headed backwards towards his ‘keeper by Vaudin, the surprised shot-stopper just managing to reset his footing to stop the ball heading over the goal-line.

A minute later saw the Guernsey goal peppered with attempts as first Merson had his shot saved, the rebound falling to Collins who saw his shot blocked, the ball landing at the feet of Merson, who crossed in to Nicholas, his header falling agonisingly wide.

Guernsey cut the lead to a single goal

Guernsey were to cut the Villa lead back even further in the 49th minute as Loaring collected the ball on the right wing, he cut inside to lay the ball back to Merris, his shot on a par with Merson’s first half strike, flew into the top corner of the goal.

After 54 minutes Guernsey’s Murray played a tantalising ball into the box, Loaring’s shot hitting Ben Geraghty, and out to safety.

The visitors now well into the game had another chance in the 62nd minute, Niall Hainsworth hit a pin-point diagonal ball to Murray, his header floating just the wrong side of the upright.

Five minutes later saw Merson’s long throw finding Gbio, his clever backheel fell into the path of Macnab, he in turn cutting the ball back to Taylor, his shot being saved well by Addison.

Villa take a two goal lead (again) through Merson

A free-kick was awarded for a foul on Theo Crawford in the 68th minute just outside the centre circle. Merson stepping up to take it fooled everyone by shooting straight over Addsion to restore Villa’s two goal advantage.

Guernsey get back to 4-3

Guernsey though would not give up, and just two minutes later a clearance from Taylor fell to substitute Ryan Zico-Black, his speculative shot hitting the base of the post, the rebound hitting the shoulder of Wells and rolling over the goal-line.

On 80 minutes Gbio picked up the ball in his own half, he powered towards the opposition goal and crossed towards Merson, sliding in he just missed the connection with ball.

With just three minutes remaining another dangerous free kick for Villa was played in by Merson, this time Addison was alert, managing to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Then right at the death chaos ensued. Guernsey forced a corner as the heavens opened, the ball in at the far post was headed goalward by substitute Charlton Gauvain, Wells making a pinpoint save, the rebound falling to Vaudin, his shot hitting Taylor on the goal line. Wells fell onto the loose ball as Alvarez came in and made connection with the downed Wells. The linesman flagged for what seemed like a free-kick to Villa.

Dubious penalty gives Guernsey an equaliser: 4-4

To everyone’s dismay the referee turned to point to the spot (apparent handball) to give Guernsey a chance to equalise.

Loaring duly stepped up and sent Wells the wrong way, and in turn earn the visitors an unexpected point right at the death.

Final score: 4-4

In a topsy-turvy contest, where we led 3-0 at one point and had enough chances to win by a much bigger margin, we somehow ended up pegged back by Guernsey who only had four shots the entire match. This game saw two worldies by Sam Merson which saw us go 4-2 up. A scorcher from the opposition and a last minute penalty saw the game end 4-4. It’s a funny old game.