Fine margins tip the balance against Guernsey in women's football opener

Tuesday 11 July 2023

Guernsey women lost their Island Games opener against Ynys Mon by the finest margin.

Having fought back from a two goal deficit in the first half, the hosts let it slip in the second and fell to a Jess Jones strike.

The Greens could not find a repeat and spurned two good chances as the game drew to a frustrating conclusion.

Ynys Mon’s first half goals came from Ellie Hones and Jen Cox, before Guernsey’s number nine Calleigh Hedley slotted home calmly from the spot and got the volume of the crowd up even more with her second.

Assistant coach Katie Watson said the message before the game had been to go out and be confident on the ball.

“I think we did show that in parts. I don't think our physicality was there in the first half, but definitely towards the end, it was starting to come out. So we're definitely going to have to take all of that into tomorrow's game.”

As Guernsey grew into the first half, they started to look more confident at the back and in possession.

Pictured: Guernsey's women celebrate Hedley's goal. (ROB CURRIE)

“We had some chances ourselves towards the end, so it could have gone either way,  but unfortunately it didn't fall for us.”

As the deflated players sat on the Corbet Field grass after the match the coaches had a clear message for them.

“The aggression they showed towards the end there, they're going to have to bring that tomorrow afternoon for our next game  and use this defeat as a bit of fuel.”

Guernsey play Western Isles at 14:30 at the Corbet Field.

Western Isles beat Ynys Mon 6-1 in the opening group game.