JERSEY FA’s U21s will attempt to avenge the U18s 0-3 defeat at the hands of Northern Ireland Schoolboys this evening at Springfield Stadium.
The “relentless” outfit oozed class against Steve Coutanche’s U18s side on Tuesday, in a match where those in red hung tough at 0-1 until the dying embers.
Joe Sheridan’s first-half goal was added to by substitute James McClure, before an Oli McCart spot kick rounded off a stylish display at Springfield Stadium by the visitors.
Coutanche said: “I cannot fault our players. They are all a credit to the Island in the way they performed and carried themselves.
“First-half in particular, they defended really well and we kept ourselves in the game right until the last few minutes.
“They [Northern Ireland] were absolutely relentless. The intensity they play at is something that we don’t really get to see in any other fixtures in the calendar year.
“They were very clinical when they needed to be in the attacking areas and that is born from the level they are playing at week in, week out.
“They’re the standards at the highest level and for our youngsters to get a taste of that is very important for their development moving forward.
“England are up next for them, so that’s an idea of the sort of sides they are competing against on a regular basis.”
A calm and collected opening saw the game come to life in the 17th minute, when the Irish gave those in attendance at Springfield a glimpse of the talent on offer.
A string of one-touch passes enabled the visitors to scythe through the red barricades, before a pass was squared to captain and eventual player of the game, Senan Devine.
Fortunately for Jersey, his goal-bound strike was deflected over the bar to safety.
The resulting corner dropped kindly for Alfie Gaston, whose powerful shot was parried away by Tiago Duarte, who performed admirably in the Jersey net.
The St Paul’s gloveman was on hand again to deny Devine moments later, with a strong paw low to his left.
Northern Ireland had turned the screw after a subdued opening 15 minutes, but, credit to the Caesareans, their defence was up to the task.
However, Duarte was eventually beaten after Sam McClintock glided though the defence and fired goalwards.
Duarte parried clear, but only as far as Sheridan to slot home into the empty net.
Jersey had their chances at the end of the opening period, but they were few and far between as a disciplined Irish side stifled the majority of the attacking threats.
Joey O’Toole had a glimpse at the back post, but, once he’d taken a touch, the opportunity was lost and the stout Irish defence held firm.
Jersey showed moments of class themselves, as a move beginning with Duarte led to Fergus Boyle releasing Callum Gilroy in behind, but his first-time effort was well saved.
Chances were at a premium in the second half, but there was a sense that the boys in green had another gear should they have needed it.
After 85 minutes of tireless defending, the visitors doubled their advantage.
A moment of brilliance from Josh Williamson saw the attacker dribble through the heart of the Jersey defence before a pin-point squared ball across found James McClure to bury the chance.
Just a couple minutes later it was 3-0.
Substitute Oli McCart tip-toed down the right flank before darting inside and beyond the defence, before going to ground and drawing a penalty from referee Gareth Walker.
McCart picked himself up and coolly slotted home the spot kick he’d earned.
“I really thought it was a great team performance from top to bottom,” added Jersey U18s manager Coutanche.
“It’s hard to single anyone out as I think they pulled together impressively.
“Obviously for us, all roads lead to the U18 Muratti in April.
“It is the fixture that all these boys circle in the calendar and I think if they replicate the levels they showed against Northern Ireland, they’ll have a great chance of coming out on top.”
Jack Cannon’s Jersey U21s are set to battle Northern Ireland Schoolboys this evening for the annual Frankie Wilson Trophy.
Action from Springfield Stadium begins at 7pm, with free entry to spectators.
Jersey U18: Tiago Duarte (St Paul’s), Ewan Brodie (St Paul’s), Harry Davy (St Paul’s), Fergus Boyle (St Paul’s) (c), Tomas Goncalves (St Paul’s), Kyle Wilson (St Paul’s), Casey Nixon (Jersey Wanderers), Stanley Dunne (St Paul’s), Callum Gilroy (St Paul’s), Joey O’Toole (St Paul’s), Conor O’Keeffe (St Paul’s). Substitutes: Will Yates (St Brelade) (for Nixon 64), Max Stefanski (Rozel Rovers) (for O’Toole 77), Nathan MacDonald (Rozel Rovers) (for O’Keeffe 77), Sonny Cassidy (St. Paul’s) (for Wilson 77), Evan Lees (Rozel Rovers) (for Dunne 64), Ralph Depledge (Jersey Wanderers) (for Duarte 83).
Northern Island Schoolboys U18: Oisin Murry (Cliftonville), James Simpson (Larne), Aidan Tejada (Coleraine), Sam McClintock (Coleraine), Joe Sheridan (Cliftonville), Keevan Hawthorne (Ballyclare), Owen O’Neill (Glentoran), Alfie Gaston (Coleraine), Mikey Harkin (Larne), Cal Weatherup (Glentoran), Senan Devine (Coleraine) (c). Substitutes: Ciaran Rogers-Duffy (Glentoran) (for Tejada 56), Callum Cowan (Larne) (not used), James McClure (Glentoran) (for Devine 76), Josh Williamson (Crusaders) (for Gaston 41), Sam Sproule (Dergview) (for McClintock 63), Oli McCart (Crusaders) (for Hawthorne 70), James Hood (Ballymena) (for Weatherup 56)
