Match Report By RovingJoe | Tuesday 9th August 2011

Captain Martin Williams grabbed an injury-time equaliser to deny Guernsey FC from securing all three points
Williams struck two minutes into added time to salvage a point after a Guernsey defender handled the ball just outside the area.

Guernsey started brightly and kept the ball well, however had difficulty creating the final ball, and lacked creativity in midfield. Hartley also started well, not allowing Guernsey to gain their rhythm, with Kingston and Thorne working hard in midfield to regain and break up possession. Hartley started to regain more of the possession and began piling on the pressure.

Hartley broke the deadlock in the first half when Dean Peltohaka neatly finished in the top left hand corner of the impressive Guernsey keeper. This goal felt like a long time coming, after Ryan Stephens had come close on numerous occasions, including a terrific strike that forced a one handed save from the young keeper. Newcombe also ran onto a ball and sent a rocket, which agonisingly hit the bottom of the post from 30 yards.

Hartley controlled much of the first half, with Nathan Stamp often finding the feet of Dean Peltohaka who, with a deft touch, would set up the forward running Kingston and Stephens.

Guernsey did create chances themselves; however the ever improving Lee Allen was hardly troubled and took control of his area.

First Half 1-0

With an audience of just under 300, Guernsey came out in a changed kit, having spent the first half in Hartley's away strip due to difficulties at the airport.

The game turned on its head when Guernsey's pacey forward broke through on goal and fell to the ground. The ref believed Patterson had pulled the player down, and was shown the red card (we reserve judgement!).

The game began to turn against Hartley, with very few decisions going their way. Ollie Bridges was brought on to replace Dean Peltohaka, to partner up with Darrel Bloxham in the centre of defence. Not long after, Guernsey scored a scrappy goal; the strike was cruel on the hard-working Hartley side that had created the better chances but ultimately paid the price for some wasteful finishing.

Then with ten minutes to go, the well supported Guernsey side broke through on goal, Bloxham lunged to get the ball but ended up taking the player first. With everyone expecting a red card to come out, in view of the previous sending off being a lot softer, the Ref surprisingly waved a yellow card in the air. Guernsey's top scorer, Allen, fired the ball in the bottom right, much to the delight of the visiting island's supporters.

Brownlie replaced the hard-working Stephens, and worked hard up front to make it difficult for the Guernsey defenders. His hard work nearly paid off as a misplaced back-pass to the goalkeeper fell in his path, but a fantastic recovery tackle from the goalkeeper brushed it passed Brownlie and the onrushing Jack Coventry.

Lee Allen saved the day, throwing himself at two shots in quick succession; the ball appeared destined for the back of the net, but with a combination of great defending and Allen's acrobatics, Hartley managed to keep Guernsey from extending their lead. It wasn't going to be Hartley's night...or was it?!

A diagonal ball fired in from man of the match Nathan Stamp, hung up in the air, and from within the melee a hand popped up and struck the ball - and that hand belonged to a green shirt. The ref blew for a free kick. Williams placed the ball, took a few short steps back, and like an arrow planted the ball in the bottom left corner. The Hartley players went crazy, and the relief was demonstrated by their celebration. It was incredibly deserved.

Overall, Hartley looked to be the better side, having created the better chances in the first half.

Full Time 2-2

Squad: Allen, Stamp, Bloxham, Patterson, Newcombe, Coventry, Thorne, Kingston (Dillon), Williams, Peltohaka (Bridges), Stephens (Brownlie)