ST CLEMENT FC rounded off an outstanding season yesterday by lifting the Wheway Memorial Trophy after a dominant 4-1 victory over Guernsey side Vale Recreation at Grouville FC.
Played under glorious sunshine on a pristine surface, the final showed everything that has made the Anchors one of the island’s most impressive sides this season.
Having narrowly missed out on Premiership One glory despite a remarkable run of form during the closing months of the campaign, St Clement ensured their efforts would be rewarded with silverware as they produced a performance full of quality, control and attacking intent.
From the first whistle, there was only one team in command.
“I thought we were excellent right from the start,” said coach Andy Sheppard.
“We imposed ourselves really well and got good control. I think we dominated the middle of the park and that was crucial in stopping them from getting any momentum and for creating opportunities.”
The early stages reflected Sheppard’s assessment, with St Clement immediately pinning their opponents back and forcing Vale Recreation to spend long spells without possession.
Their pressure paid off after just ten minutes when defender Alfie Queree (above) opened the scoring. Following a corner, a clipped delivery towards the far post found the centre-back in space and he showed impressive composure to guide a left-footed finish back across goal and into the bottom corner.
Rather than sitting back on their advantage, St Clement continued to dictate proceedings.
Their movement in midfield and willingness to switch play stretched the Guernsey side, while defensively they remained organised and disciplined whenever the visitors attempted to break forward.
By the midway point of the first half, the Anchors had barely allowed their opponents a meaningful sight of goal and were rewarded with a second strike.
Bruno Da Silva was the architect, finding Karl Hinds with a perfectly placed square pass inside the area. The league’s leading marksman made no mistake, calmly converting from close range to double the lead.
At 2-0, St Clement looked firmly in control and they carried that authority into the interval.
Any hopes Vale Recreation had of mounting a response after the break were quickly extinguished as the Jersey side continued to dominate possession and territory.
The third goal arrived on 55 minutes and was worthy of the occasion. Seaney McColgan, who had been at the heart of everything positive throughout the afternoon, collected possession on the edge of the area before picking out the far corner with a superb finish.
“Seaney was in one of those moods where he was unplayable for the full game,” said Sheppard.
“The surface was really good and the big pitch was an advantage for how we wanted to play.”
McColgan’s goal effectively ended the contest as a competitive spectacle, with St Clement continuing to create chances while limiting Vale Recreation to scraps at the other end.
The fourth goal arrived seven minutes from time and fittingly involved two players who have been central to the club’s success this season. Queree delivered an excellent cross from the right flank and Hinds met it with a composed header, steering his effort into the far corner for his second goal of the afternoon.
The scoreline could have become even more emphatic had it not been for the Vale Recreation goalkeeper, who produced a stunning double save late on to deny St Clement a fifth.
Vale eventually found the net in stoppage time with what was effectively their first shot on target of the afternoon, but it proved nothing more than a consolation on a day that belonged entirely to the Anchors.
For Sheppard and his players, the victory was a fitting reward after a season that has established them among the island’s strongest sides. Their performances throughout the campaign have demonstrated just how difficult they are to live with when everything clicks into place.
“As coaches, we were really pleased with the effort and work-rate in really hot conditions,” Sheppard added.
“The lads got the rewards their efforts deserved.”
