Contrasting Muratti emotions for Jersey's men and women
There were contrasting emotions for Jersey's sides on Muratti day, as the highs and lows of sport were again on full display at Springfield. The men lifted the famous Vase for the fifth time in a row. Hours earlier, Guernsey had ended a decade-and-a-half wait to win the women's trophy.
In the Muratti, against the old rival, it's all about winning. Little else matters. But for Elliot Powell's side the performance warranted more than the narrow 3-2 extra-time win. They scored three, in reality it could have been six.
Matt Loaring's effort which squirmed off the inside of the post and over the line five minutes before the break had put Guernsey ahead, but exactly 100 seconds later the hosts were level through Fraser Barlow's header. Instant response.
Barlow nearly had his second soon after the restart, but his no-look flick found the right-hand upright - one of three occasions Jersey hit the woodwork on a dominant afternoon.
The home supporters didn't have to wait much longer to cheer their team's second though. Guernsey switched off from a Jay Giles free-kick. He found James Carr is space down the left, and his pinpoint cross was powerfully headed home by skipper Luke Campbell. Yet another Muratti goal for the experienced central defender in his long Jersey career.
Prolific St Clement goal-scorer Karl Hinds, given the nod to play just in behind Jersey Bulls top-scorer Lorne Bickley, saw his chipped looping effort from the edge of the box come back off the bar.
Guernsey keeper Josh Addison saved well at the feet of Barlow, while at the other end appeals for a Jonny Le Quesne handball in the area were waved away by referee Darren Drysdale.
Euan Van der Vliet was called into action saving well from Loaring's clever near-post flick as the visitors went in search of an equaliser. It came from the left boot of substitute Will Fazakerley in the fourth minute of added time, sweetly curling into the corner with Van der Vliet rooted. Had he been at full stretch he might not have saved it, such was the precision.
Into extra time and Miguel Carvalho tested Addison with a powerful stike, and soon after hit a curling effort just wide of the left post.
Then, on the stroke of half-time in extra-time, the winner. Harry Curtis won a free-kick down the right. Giles sent it towards the far post, Luke Watson headed towards goal but saw his effort palmed away by Addison only for Bickley to touch home the rebound.
Jersey's men have now won seven of the last eight men's Muratti Vase finals either side of the Covid pandemic.
The island's women had been on an even more dominant run, having won 10 in a row against Guernsey. They went into the game knowing it would be the last in a Jersey shirt for captain Libby Barnett, who is stepping away from football after an influential quarter of a century in the game.
They started well with early chances for Leah Morris and Ella Docherty, but the visitors took a surprise lead when Donna Gallienne's corner was met by experienced defender Vicki Rang to head home from close range.
Holly Muirhead, substitute Hannah Campbell and Jodie Botterill all had efforts to pull their team level, but striker Calleigh Hedley was causing problems at the other end. Through one-on-one with Sara Luce she scuffed an effort. Soon after she was thwarted again by the Jersey keeper.
Hedley was to have the last laugh, though. With the minutes ticking away, Codie Le Flem burst forward and went to ground in the box under Tiff Sundby’s challenge. Hedley confidently swept in the spot kick to seal a 2-0 win and end the 16-year wait for Guernsey success.
With Barnett retiring, and subsequently Jodie Botterill also confirming on social media that she had played her last game for the island, there could be a different feel about the Jersey squad next season when they'll look to get their hands back on the trophy over in Guernsey.
Women
Jersey: Sara Luce, Tiff Sundby, Sofia Rodrigues, Libby Barnett (c), Poppy Benest, Sophie Botterill, Macey Wyse, Holly Muirhead, Jodie Botterill, Leah Morris, Ella Docherty. Subs: Ana Malta, Dani da Silva, Hannah Campbell, Sam Silva, Emily Le Page.
Guernsey: Emma Queripel, Scarlett Kenneally, Elise La Lacheur, Aimee Ogier, Vicki Rang, Sydney Schreimaier, Codie Le Flem, Candice Bougourd (c), Calleigh Hedley, Donna Gallienne, Amy Dallamore. Subs: Adrienne Leech, Scarlett Gallagher, Gracia Van Zutphen, Kirstie Marquis, Kayleigh Marquis.
Men
Jersey: Euan Van der Vliet, Jonny Le Quesne, Luke Campbell (c), Harry Curtis, Jay Giles, Luke Watson, Adam Trotter, Karl Hinds, Fraser Barlow, Lorne Bickley, James Carr. Subs: Pierce Roche, James Queree, James Carr, Miguel Carvalho, Francis Lekimamati, Kieran Lester, Jay Dos Santos, Jack Lumsden.
Guernsey: Josh Addison, Tom Dodds, Jamie Dodd (c), David Merris, Tom Vaudin, Kieran Mahon, Charlton Gauvain, Dave Rihoy, Sam Murray, Ross Allen, Matt Loaring. Subs: Chris Povall, River Marsh, Ben Solway, Will Fazakerley, Keene Domaille, Owen Wallbridge, Jacob Masterton-Pipet.
