A JERSEY youth select again performed admirably against Scotland U17s last night, despite going down to a second defeat in three days at Springfield.
Following on from their 3-0 defeat on Tuesday the Jersey youngsters again provided stubborn resistance to the Scottish youngsters, many attached to leading clubs in England and Scotland, before going down 4-0.
Scotland scored twice in each half, with a superb free-kick from Ross Forbes opening the scoring.
A penalty from Steven Kinniburgh stretched the lead before half-time, but Jersey, fielding a slightly less-experienced side than on Tuesday, stuck to their task well although their opportunities to respond were rare indeed.
Kinniburgh, on Rangers’ books, struck his second of the match after the break, with a header from Aberdeen’s Chris Maguire finishing the scoring.
Scotland’s coach Ross Mathie has been delighted with the two matches, believing them to have been excellent preparation for his European qualifying campaign next month.
He rightly praised the Jersey team for their efforts, in what was a JFA Centenary celebration fixture, and thanked match organisers Iain Mackenzie and Paul Sowney of Sporting Eventualities for their help.
‘We again performed very well last night,’ said Jersey manager Dave Walsh this morning, adding: ‘It is not easy defending for long periods and we must remember that we were playing against the highest level we can play against – an International side.
‘We’ve had two hard games and we will take a lot from them.
Jamie Allan played well in both while Jamie Savory was a lone striker last night and he put a lot of work into his performance last night.’ First Tower United have helped the prestigious tour by providing the Scotland team with training facilities at La Hague Manor.
Jersey Youth Select: Greg Forster; Jonny Lee, Sam Dewhurst, Neal Crowell; Danny Flynn, James Quinn, Sean Doran, Jamie Allan, Elliot Fernandes, Jamie Savory.
Subs: Danny Hughes, Stevie Reid, Ben Gallichan, Jamie Cullen and Adam Speight.
Scotland U17s: Greg Paterson, Ross Hamilton, Michael Donald, Jamie Laird (capt), William McLachlan, Steven Kinniburgh, Scott Hadden, Ryan O’Hara, William Russell, Ross Forbes, Jamie Murphy.
Subs: Chris Maguire, Cameron Murray, James Henry, Alan Martin.
Sporting Eventualities have been contacted by Northern Ireland Schoolboys’ squad with a view to organising two matches against their Victory Shield squad in Jersey in October.
