The hosts were hammered 5-0, their heaviest defeat ever in the competition, and before a disappointing crowd of around 100, Jersey contributed to their downfall with two defensive errors in the first half.
Sussex, who were a class above, polished in their performance and physically stronger, killed Jersey off in early in the second half with three goals in a five-minute period.
David Kenyon and Jack Boyle, who ran his heart out, both fired wide of Sussex’s goal in the first half while after the break two further Jersey chances arrived at the feet of Michael Weir but both times he scooped the ball over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.
It was a match Jersey’s players will quickly want to forget, they were given a run round by a side with only five top-age lads but it will have been a learning experience for them.
Sussex manager Russell Rego said: ‘We had a game plan to play football and it came off.
Yes we were stronger, but it was a very good performance from a team that has only had two friendlies.
‘It really is pleasing to perform like that, the players have been a credit to their clubs today and the county.’ Jersey manager Dave Walsh said: ‘We had a lot of players who did not perform on the day but in truth Sussex were excellent, they got to the semi-finals last year.
‘We never passed the ball, we dropped too deep and our marking was slack.
Yes they were physically stronger than us but you can’t tell me they were technically better than Scotland who we played recently and turned in a good performance.
‘I just can’t put my finger on why we did not perform, it’s so disappointing.’ Dan Sackman was left in space to nod home a corner in 14 minutes before Jersey’s defence stood off leaving Steve Bantock to hit a bottom corner from 20 yards.
Jon Fitzpatrick rifled home Sussex’s third from an acute angle and then James Cox got clear to hit home a rising shot two minutes later.
Jason Winch completed the scoring two minutes after, putting the final nail in Jersey’s coffin.
Sam Habin and Darren A’Court worked tirelessly for Jersey while goalkeeper Greg Forster, who was blameless for any of the goals, also pulled off some very good saves.
Jersey: Greg Forster; Jason De Andrade, Pierce Cummins, Sam Habin, Tommy Wigley (Declan Sowney, 69); Darren A’Court; Jack Boyle, Michael Weir, Jamie Cullen (Elliott Fernandes, 52); David Kenyon (Jordan McBride, 69).
