Ian Horswell’s side produced their best-ever season last term, finishing third in Division I of the Coca-Cola Jersey Football Combination and winning the Le Riches Cup, and last night they inflicted a rare home defeat on Joe Morley’s side.
Josh Collins, brother of West Ham pro James, fired Grouville ahead with a 30-yard free kick that went under the body of goalkeeper Jimmy Styles.
Ben Holt then made it 2-0 shortly after before Jimmy Reilly finished off a quality Trinity move, involving five players, to pull a goal back.
Toni Cardoso restored Grouville’s advantage when he pushed the ball past the advancing Styles before rounding the ‘keeper to net from 25 yards.
Trinity pressed hard to net their second late on, Dave Le Roux nodding home substitute Jon Fitzmaurice’s cross.
Horswell said: ‘It’s a great start to the season for us and something to build on.
I’ve a lot of new signings this season but only a few played last night.
‘First half we were better than 2-0, we hit the post and missed a couple of glaring chances.
Second half Trinity were much the better team and after they pulled a goal back we regained a two-goal cushion to take the sting out of the game.’ Morley said: ‘Grouville are again very organised and difficult to break down.
I’m disappointed with the result but not our overall performance.
‘We made mistakes and were punished but we will take a lot from the game because there were plenty of positives.
I rested a few because they have played a lot recently and despite the result we are optimistic about the forthcoming season.’ Trinity: Jimmy Styles; John Beatson, James Hayward, David Lloyd, Scott Jones (Paul Banahan, 75); Tom Titshall (Stephen Wilkinson, 70), Darren Swanson, Stephen McCarter, Paul Beckett (Jon Fitzmaurice, 70); Dave Le Roux, Jimmy Reilly.
Grouville: Casey Hickling; Jason Bingham, Craig Northedge, Josh Collins, Danny Hughes; Ben Holt, Nelson Mwakazi (Mike Hooper, 60), Russell Le Feuvre, Peter Hall (Murray Dron, 70); Luc Le Mière; Toni Cardoso (Duncan Prince, 80).
Grouville now play Rozel Rovers in a second-round game at Le Couvent next Wednesday.
Rozel Rovers brushed Division II St John aside by five goals to nil at Le Couvent last night.
Scott Healey notched a hat-trick, following some fine footwork, together with singles from Jerry O’Shea (a penalty) and Andy McCabe.
Young St John goalkeeper Luke Bechelet make several fine stops to save his side from a heavier defeat.
St Paul’s booked a second round game with St Brelade next Wednesday, at St Saviour, after they defeated Division II Portuguese Club 5-3 at the IJ Bathe Field last night.
Craig Leitch, top goalscorer in the Island last season, got off the mark with a brace, Jean-Paul Martyn also bagged a double and Stuart André a single.
New St Paul’s manager Tony Hoyland said: ‘We had some very good individual performances; we are still learning to play together as a team.
It was good in patches and we also missed some good chances – three in the opening ten minutes.’ José-Manuel Vieira scored twice for the Portuguese, one a blistering 30-yard free kick that hit a top corner.
