.. storm Goretti abated for 24 hours, during which United flew to their first ever away league encounter on Guernsey.
This was always going to be in danger of being an adventure rather than a league match, despite the cajoling of the coaching team. On Saturday morning, 22 players and management flew from Gatwick, some were nervous flyers in a twin prop plane, for the 45 minute flight to the island. After an uneventful flight out, the plane not so much landed as collided with the runway, and we were there. An elderly 35 seat coach took everyone to the beautiful Victoria park stadium, home to Guernsey FA, and our opponents, Guernsey FC. The welcome from every single person was amazing - a very friendly, very well organised club. However, once the match started, the mask slipped.

Guernsey are very well drilled, and have some very experienced players at a good level. From the start they pressed United very hard, as United’s youngsters seemed to be getting that bumpy landing out of their system still. On six minutes, the ball squirmed past Hobden at the near post to make it 1-0, and the flood gates looked like they were opening. Strangely. It actually seemed to settle United as they came to terms with the fact that there was a match on, and their recent excellent league form was in danger. Guernsey continued to press hard, but United soaked it up, and on the half hour mark were looking like they could get back in it, a sublime run and cross from T’yano Wilson deserved a finish, and James Hull and Jake Prodger both had chances to wide. Rhyle Ovenden, on his 100th appearance for United, was the captain in every sense, organising, encouraging, making United believe in themselves. Guernsey had a couple more chances go wide, and Hobden was called into action twice, on the stroke of half time it was almost 2-0, but again Hobden saved at point blank range.

In the second half, United had purpose- the midfield battle was being won when, on the hour, a corner wasn’t dealt with and the ball again squirmed through for 2-0. Again United came back, Huchu and Gander replacing Patton and James Hull as Anthony Storey tried to wrong foot the opposition. But teams had chances, but it was late on that Guernsey made it 3-0, and that was it. Teddy Loft and Anthony Thomas also joined the fray, both looking sharp, but sadly to no avail.

Ollie Hull
Just time for a delicious takeaway lasagna, courtesy of Guernsey FC, before check-in. Those residual flight nerves were not helped when, as the plane thundered down the runway, the pilot went safety first and rejected the takeoff, and a return to the stand. An hour later a replacement plane brought everyone safely back to Gatwick. Not the result United wanted, but an experience that none of them will forget.

Next up it’s Bexhill United at the Oval on Saturday - 3pm kickoff.

T’yano Wilson
United v Guernsey