Guernsey FC’s Development side almost staged a dramatic come back but were eventually put to bed by St Martin’s, who progress to the Spirit Cup final.
Leon Meakin’s side hadn’t even had time to settle when Saints took the lead as a well-worked move set up George Goubert to bag in only the third minute.
Theo Cooper tested Seb Sheppard in the Saints goal and Zach Gilman fired just wide from 25 yards before Dave Merris of all people was sinbinned for dissent.
Rio Bowditch nearly made it 2-0 with a curler that hit the bar, while Jake Martin lobbed just wide for the Greens.
Goubert’s deflected shot crept in at Josh Addison’s near post on the hour to double Saints’ lead. It could have been three a few minutes later but Addison threw out a strong hand to deny Bowditch. But that only delayed the third, which came as Ben Solway, who represents Saints when he plays locally, headed home the resulting corner at the far post against the club he played so well for on Saturday.
Aston Young was unlucky to see a lovely dinked effort from the edge of the D bounce off the crossbar. Will Fazakerley also headed in at the far post after a sustained spell of pressure but was flagged offisde, not long after Saints had also been victims of the assistant referee’s flag.
Simon Arnold earned his side a consolation inside the final 10 minutes with a clinical finish from a tight angle. Callum Le Lacheur then set up a very interesting finish by running clear and slotting past Sheppard to make it 3-2.
But any hopes of a late dramatic comeback were snuffed out when a loose pass from Tom Dodds presented Isaac Eaton-Jones with a chance to run through and blast a fourth past Addison deep into injury time.
They may not have made it to the final, but GFC’s cubs have gained some good experience playing together against senior sides over the last few weeks, with a few senior players sprinkled in to get some useful minutes in the legs ahead of the season.
St Martin’s will play the winner of Wednesday’s semi-final between Vale Rec and Sylvans. The final takes place on Friday evening. The GFC first team open their Southern Combination Premier Division campaign at home to Wick on Saturday afternoon.
GFC Development XI: 1 Josh ADDISON; 2 Frazer MAGINNIS; 3 Dave MERRIS; 4 Tom DODDS; 5 Zach GILMAN (c); 6 Aston YOUNG; 7 Callum LE LACHEUR; 8 Jake MARTIN; 9 Dylan GRAHAM; 10 Theo COOPER; 11 Will FAZAKERLEY. Subs used: Riley TYRELL; Jack BECKER; Simon ARNOLD; Jamie DODD.
GFC goals: Arnold 82′; Le Lacheur 86′.
