JERSEY regained the Women’s Muratti Vase in emphatic fashion with a dominant 6-1 victory over Guernsey at a sun-soaked Springfield Stadium.
Backed by a strong home crowd, Jersey produced an energetic and clinical display to reclaim the trophy after defeats in the previous two editions.
Despite Guernsey’s squad containing several players competing three tiers above the Jersey Bulls domestically, it was the Caesareans who made the brighter start.
Roisin Flynn threatened early after being picked out by an excellent crossfield pass from Shana Dolbel, before Jersey made the breakthrough in the ninth minute.
Anita Tavares threaded a perfectly weighted pass through to Leah Morris, who kept her composure despite pressure from the recovering defender to slot beyond goalkeeper Emma Queripel.
Jersey continued to look the more dangerous side throughout the first half, with Tavares and Dolbel both causing problems going forward, while Danielle Bradshaw and Poppy Benest remained composed defensively.
The hosts doubled their advantage in the 34th minute after Guernsey lost possession in a dangerous area. Tavares capitalised again, laying the ball into Flynn’s path before the forward rifled an effort in at the near post from the edge of the area.
Captain Holly Sundby then took control after the break.
Just four minutes into the second half, Sundby bundled home Flynn’s low cross to make it 3-0, before adding her second of the afternoon on the hour mark with a well-struck volley following Tiffany Sundby’s delivery.
Guernsey briefly responded through Ruby Smith, whose clever flicked header from a corner found the far corner via the post.
However, Jersey quickly restored complete control. Dolbel, who impressed throughout and showed glimpses of why she is part of Plymouth Argyle’s academy setup, deservedly got on the scoresheet in the 82nd minute after another pinpoint assist from Tavares.
Tavares then capped off a superb individual display in stoppage time, calmly finishing to complete the scoring and spark jubilant celebrations among the home support as Jersey sealed an emphatic Muratti triumph.
