Jersey Scottish and JTC Jersey Wanderers,who were both missing several first-team regulars for varying reasons, were both defeated 3-1 by Guernsey’s Sylvans and Vale Recreation respectively therefore guaranteeing an inter-Island final next April.
Trinity, who now play St Ouen, competed the semi-final line-up after they won 4-1 at home against CI champions North (report below).
Vale and Sylvans beat Jersey’s current top two placed teams at the start of play with Rec riding their luck at JTC Park but they were excellent going forward to eliminate Wanderers from the tournament.
Connor Maher hit a post early on for Wanderers before they fell behind to Nick Rumens’ first-half opener and then Wanderers were denied again when junior Lorne Bickley rattled a shot against a crossbar.
Two goals in a 90-second spell around the hour mark through Seb Skillen and Paris Pereira extended Vale’s advantage and although Vale were forced defend hard from there on in, they also hit their own woodwork through Rory Moriarty, Kamen Nafkha notched scored what turned out to be a late consolation goal for the home team.
Tom Martin and Joe Alvarez put Sylvans two-up against Scottish at Les Quennevais before Daryl Wilson pulled a goal back 15 minutes from the end only for Euan Melrose to strike again for Sylvans.
St Ouen’s fine win came against a youthful St Paul’s, the latter who had captain Jack Cannon sent off for serious foul play with the score at 0-0 and then junior Luca Margaroli 15 minutes from the finish following a second caution for a foul.
Dom Pougeolle turned well to beat his marker and give St Ouen the lead only for Craig Russell to level the scores after taking a defence-splitting pass from Kieran Lester.
Dane Sutton scored what turned out to be the match winning goal when his shot from the right, which Saints goalkeeper Euan Van der Vliet got a hand too, went in off the inside of a post.
Just one Premiership match was played with St Peter and St John featuring in a goal-less draw at St Peter.
TWO late goals after North were reduced to ten resulted in a flattering 4-1 scoreline for winners Trinity against Guernsey champions North at the Riley Field on Saturday.
Boosted by influential midfielder Jake Baker, Trinity’s play was impressive and some of their one and two-touch football and good movement was a joy to watch as they created some good opportunities.
North, who also had good periods but often their final ball let them down, were chasing a second goal to level at 2-2 but two cautions in quick succession resulted in North’s impressive Chris Le Cheminant being dismissed with five minutes remaining.
North continued to push for a second goal but Baker rifled home Trinity’s third low into a corner from 20 yards after a fine move before turning provider after a brilliant run to pick out Fabio Pestana to net his second goal of the game from ten yards.
An excellent tackle on Nigel Hutton by Carlos Quintel prevented Hutton an early chance before defender Reagan Russell put Trinity ahead from close in after Marco Zocchi’s corner was touched on by a North head.
North came back strongly late in the first half when Simon Tostevin shot across the face of goal while Hutton’s goal-bound effort was deflected for a corner.
Hutton poked another effort over while Trinity ‘keeper Craig Botting made a brilliant save and the follow up was ruled out for offside.
North stopper Josh Addison also prevented Trinity doubling their advantage with two fine stops.
Tostevin nodded North level on 60 minutes from Hutton’s cross and then Le Cheminant made a timely tackle to prevent Chris Conning going clear.
Zocchi then won the ball on North’s right and sliding it across the penalty area, Pestana controlled it well before beating Addison to put Trinity 2-1 up.
North worked hard to create a second but once Le Cheminant departed and then Trinity’s late double, their effort was in vain.
Trinity manager Scott Jones said: ‘It was a good win and we looked better when we slowed down and played rather than rushing things.
‘We’ve a young side and if they stay together I think they can do well and possibly win a trophy this season which is our aim.
North boss Will Woodford said: ‘I’m bitterly disappointed; in spells we created enough good chances to have scored more than one goal and I was extremely disappointed with all four goals we conceded because we should have done a lot better in that area than we did.
‘Trinity played a lot of one and two-touch football and they were deserving winners in the end.’
Trinity 4 (Russell 11, Pestana 71, 87, Baker 85) North 1 (Tostevin 60)
Trinity: Craig Botting: Ryan Campos (Y, Josh White, 57), Reagan Russell, Carlos Quintal, Matt McGhee; Stevie Macdonald, Jason De Andrade, Jake Baker, Marco Zocchi (Josh Hinds, 69); Chris Conning (Lucas Foreman, 90), Fabio Pestana.
North: J Addison; J Domaille, M Rihoy (Y), C Le Cheminant (Y, R), R Lamb; R Marsh, K Smith, L Mollet; C Mollet, S Tostevin, N Hutton.
