ROZEL Rovers’ remarkable rise continued this weekend as the young side sealed the Premiership 2 title in emphatic fashion, confirming promotion with an unbeaten record.
A commanding 6-2 victory over Sporting Academics ensured Rozel’s first team finished their league campaign without defeat, recording 10 wins and two draws from their 12 matches. It was a performance fitting of champions, as they stormed into a four-goal lead inside the opening half-hour to effectively put the contest beyond doubt.
Goals from Ned Dixon, George Sheehy, Stan Heynes, Nathan MacDonald, Oscar Sibilski and Harry Mackenzie completed the job, with Philip Quinn and Diogo Franca replying for Academics.
The result not only secured silverware, but confirmed Rozel’s place in Premiership 1 next season, where their youthful squad will look to test themselves at a higher level.
In Premiership 1, the title race remains finely poised despite Jersey Wanderers First maintaining their nine-point advantage at the summit. They were pushed all the way by a resilient Madeira side, eventually edging a 2-1 victory thanks to a late double from Hugo Pereira.
Madeira had looked set to cause an upset when Cesar Ferreira broke the deadlock with just under 20 minutes remaining, but Pereira’s quick-fire brace ensured Wanderers kept their grip on top spot.
St Clement First, however, remain firmly in the hunt. Their 7-1 demolition of Grouville saw Karl Hinds net five times, with Seaney McColgan adding a brace, as they continue to apply pressure with three games still in hand. Andre Nunes grabbed a consolation for Grouville.
Elsewhere, St Brelade produced another assured display to see off St Paul’s 3-1, with Conor Maher and Will Yates among the scorers. The result effectively ends St Paul’s title hopes, despite an impressive campaign from the young side, while St Brelade sit comfortably in mid-table.
At the other end of the table, the relegation battle took another twist in a dramatic encounter between St Peter and St Ouen’s. St Peter emerged 4-3 winners in a thrilling contest, leapfrogging their opponents in the process.
Peter Vincenti’s brace proved crucial, while goalkeeper Jacob Videgrain also found the scoresheet alongside Rory Baines. Luke Moss, Renato Geraldo and Jamie Burrows replied for St Ouen’s, who now sit two points behind but with three games in hand – albeit facing a challenging run-in.
Attention also turned to the Women’s JFA Cup, where the finalists were confirmed ahead of this weekend’s showpiece at Springfield Stadium.
Rozel Rovers continued their dominance in the women’s game with a convincing 5-1 victory over Jersey Wanderers. Emily Le Page and Roisin Flynn both struck twice, with Ma-Ya Larsson also on target in another clinical display.
They will face St Peter in the final after a narrow 1-0 win over Sports Club of Jersey, with Elize Lehmann scoring the decisive goal. The occasion represents a significant opportunity for St Peter, who are chasing their first major honour in the women’s game, while Rozel will be looking to reinforce their position at the top of the domestic scene.
With silverware secured, promotion confirmed, and major finals on the horizon, the closing stages of the local football season are shaping up to deliver plenty more drama.
