Injured Bird Reds’ hero

Jersey have been absolutely magnificent in this tournament, and a gold medal would be a fitting end to an admirable campaign.

Yesterday they held off Guernsey 2-0 to maintain an undefeated run of four matches, and still with just one goal conceded.

Of course, nothing fires up a Channel Islands footballer like the prospect of a Jersey vs Guernsey clash, and Jersey proved their passion from the off – slick passing, good game awareness and the will to win every ball led to some decent chances in the opening half, with Craig Culkin’s charges showing far more power than their opponents.

In the first quarter of an hour Russell Le Feuvre was denied a headed goal from a good Ben Gallichan corner kick; Mark Lucas smashed a chance from 35 yards, and a good cross fell to Ross Crick on the edge of the box but the keeper came to him, and scuppered his attempt to roll it into the net.

Though Guernsey had the odd moment, Jersey were stronger and tighter, playing faster, more fiery football that, at times, completely flummoxed Guernsey’s defence.

It certainly wasn’t the contest the spectators had anticipated – rarely is one side so dominant in an inter-insular match – but when Crick opened the scoring, with a header on 37 minutes, the first half was near enough won.

It was in the second half, however, that the Sarnians started to cause problems, and towards the end of the match, too, when Jersey had seemed happy enough to settle for a 1-0.

All of a sudden, as the game ran into its final 20 minutes, Jersey keeper Bird found he had some serious work to do – Guernsey won a free kick from a dangerous position, though the ball flew over the crossbar, and three successive corner kicks threatened to undo Jersey’s defence who, under the pressure, performed outstandingly.

But by 88 minutes and another flurry of Guernsey corner kicks, free kicks and well-targeted attempts at goal, a Sarnian equaliser looked inevitable – until, with just one minute of normal time remaining, Bird dived to make the save that surely stopped all chance of extra time.

The game was halted while Bird received treatment on his wrist, waiting to be taken to hospital, but by the time the clock re-started Jersey were now keen to wrap it up, fending off any earlier hopes of a Guernsey recovery with a cracking Mark Lucas goal, rolled neatly past the – keeper, just ahead of the final whistle.

Coach Craig Culkin, was, understandably, delighted with his players. He said: ‘On that first half performance you’d think there was only one team in the game, but that sort of fell to us to take a few more chances really, and get the second goal early on.

‘Over the course of the game, though, we defended excellently, and Andrew Bird really kept us in it there. Our aim in Aland was to go and win every game, and certainly now we have the belief that we can win this tournament. Our belief is increasing, our confidence is increasing, and our team is playing really, really well together. Andrew Bird was absolutely fantastic, Chris Andrews has been magnificent, so has Ross Crick, but you can’t mention one player because everyone has played so well. We’re definitely looking forward to the final now – it’s going to be a great atmosphere.’

Jersey face home side Aland in the final tonight at the Wiklof Athletics Stadium. Kick off is 7.30 pm Jersey time.

End of the road for women footballers

JERSEY’S woman’s footballers bowled out of the competition yesterday following a 4-1 defeat by competition favourites Aland at Markusböle, Finström.

Overall their result this week were much improved on Rhodes. They finished third in their group after scoring a dozen goals and recording victories against Greenland and Saaremaa.

Jersey Football Association president Ricky Weir said: ‘It’s a massive improvement on Rhodes and the congratulations to the management and the players for their efforts.

‘They turned in a very brave performance yesterday and after going 3-0 down inside 35 minutes they deserved pulled a goal back through Kerry Sauvage.

‘Unfortunately Leanne Bell then put the ball into her own goal in the last-minute of the half and that set them back a little again.

‘The really dug in to avoid a much heavier defeat in the second half and despite having Lisa McLaughlin sent off on the hour after she was cautioned for the second time it was a great effort.

‘We’d loved to have played in the other group because the Isle of Man and the Isle of Wight came first and second and Jersey defeated both islands in the three islands tournament we hosted last year.’

The women’s semi-finals are this evening with the Isle of Wight opposing Aland and the Isle of Man up against Gotland.

Jersey’s team against Aland was: Helen Lagadu; Kerry Sauvage, Michelle Bichard, Leanne Bell, Laura Couvert, Laura Robertson, Lisa McLaughlin, Pauline Smart, Becky Darts, Jodie Botterill and Louise Van der Vliet. Subs used: Libby Barnett, Anette Christensen and Emily Farley.

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