Before a paltry crowd of around 150, goals from St Peter duo Scott Walsh and Ryan Durand earned Peter Vincenti a winning start to his second campaign as U21 and senior Island boss.
Vincenti said: ‘It was a very good first game considering the lads have only had one session together.
‘They listened to what was said and after going a goal down so early they showed a lot of character to get 2-1 ahead and I felt they deserved that.
‘We scored two good goals and that augurs well for the future.
We have others to come in who are currently at university and luckily the U21 Muratti falls when they will be back in Jersey so we will have a strong squad.’ Northern Ireland boss Bob Ramsey said: ‘It was an excellent game, very similar to last year when we were fortunate to win.
‘We’ve no stars.
We have a hardworking team and they are disappointed to have lost.
Second half we had a lot more chances and we should have converted them.
‘In the end the extra year or so of the Jersey boys got them through.
Northern Ireland knocked the ball around confidently in the opening 15 minutes – Jersey showing them too much respect – and a shoot on sight policy saw them pepper shots at goal, though nothing to worry Jersey goalkeeper Casey Hickling.
Jersey picked up their pace and passing, spurred on by former AFC Bournemouth Youth team player Jack Cannon and Trinity’s Luke Watson.
Walsh equalised with a gem of a goal.
Wriggling between two defenders on Jersey’s left he cut inside and after beating another player he rolled the ball into the goal when his initial shot was parried by goalkeeper Aaron Hogg.
The Irish conceded a free kick in midfield and they were punished when Watson took it quickly.
Mark Stafford made a mess of his attempted clearance and Durand took his chance well from the apex of the six-yard box to give Jersey the lead.
Hickling gathered a cross-cum-shot cleanly from under his crossbar from Ryan Tumelty while at the other end Hogg could only stand and watch as Jean-Paul Martyn’s 30-yard volley bounced on his crossbar before going over.
Liggett should have equalised on the stroke of half time but with just Hicking to beat he screwed his shot wide of an upright.
Northern Ireland had the better of possession after the break and it was Jersey, who made a couple of changes, defended well as a unit.
Danny Hughes cleared off the goal and Tom Poole, who was solid throughout, also blocked a goal-bound effort as the visitors surged forward.
But they lacked a bit of firepower with Hickling only having to save once, low down to his right following a forceful drive by Allen Reid.
Substitute Andy Modral met a good cross from Walsh but unfortunately for Jersey his effort was off target.
Vincenti will have been delighted with some fine Jersey performances ahead of the U21 Muratti which is in Guernsey on 14 April.
Jersey U21s: Casey Hickling; Danny Hughes, Tom Poole, Carl de la Cour (Jack Crawford), Kevan Crowell; Ryan Durand, Luke Watson, Jack Cannon, Scott Walsh; Jean-Paul Martyn, Ross Goodchild (Bradley Russell).
Northern Ireland U18s: Aaron Hogg; Andrew Ferguson, Mark Stafford, Patrick Hope, Aaren McCusker; Ryan Tumelty (Paul McIvor), Stephen Finnegan (James Wright), Ryan Kane, Allen Reid; Gary Liggett (Jaime Gardiner), Johnny McSorley.
Officials: Herbie Barr (NI), Andy Norman, Ian Solomon, Neil Giannoni.
