JERSEY maintained their perfect 2022 record in age-group Murattis thanks to a 3-0 triumph for the Island’s under-16s.
Strikes from Samuel Henia-Kamau, Leighton Gilroy and Charlie Sterling were more than enough for victory at the Corbet Field – and left Guernsey still searching for their first Nigel Gavey Memorial Trophy win since 2017.
The hosts started Sunday’s fixture brightly as Jack Griffin forced Jersey’s number one, Raoul Le Sech, into action with a deflected shot from just inside the box.
Tim Ap Sion was also causing a threat from the other flank as his trickery led to James Stangroom being shown the first yellow card, although the left back’s afternoon was promptly cut short due to an injury he sustained during the incident.
Henia-Kamau was causing the Guernsey’s backline problems at the other end. The forward went down in the box after beating Ollie Harrison to a loose ball but referee George Jennings waved away the penalty appeal.
It would not be long before Henia-Kamau opened the scoring, though, directly from a free kick. His low, right-footed attempt found the bottom corner via a deflection.
Jersey then went in search of a quick-fire second. Number ten Ed Jefferies was controlling the game in the centre of midfield, driving forward through the middle of the park and creating chances for the dangerous Henia-Kamau, who has been rewarded for his recent form with selection for the U21 Muratti this coming weekend.
The Caesareans hit the hosts on the break for their second, as Gilroy found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Harrison.
The winger looked to steer his shot across goal into the bottom corner and despite a valiant effort from Guernsey’s number one, the ball bounced into the back of the net.
Dan Seviour’s side looked in control and Barry Beatson almost made it three with an impressive attempt on the volley from the edge of the area, although his strike went just past the post.
Alex Ward was introduced for Guernsey towards the end of the first period, and he nearly got his side back into the game with a right-footed shot that keeper Le Sech dropped near his goal. The officials judged that the ball had not crossed the line.
It was tough going for the Sarnians after the restart, as Jersey managed the game superbly to keep their rivals at bay.
They added a third on the hour mark to leave Guernsey out of sight. Right-back Damon Huckerby came forward and crossed into the path of Stirling, who gave Ollie Harrison no chance with a well-placed header across goal.
Guernsey kept battling in the final minutes, despite the scoreline, and recent GFC goalscorer Tim Ap Sion was proving a handful for Jersey’s backline. He drove a low ball into the path of Jack Griffin, although the left-winger’s shot went high and wide in what was the final chance for the hosts to get back into it.
Guernsey: Harrison, Solway, Goubert, Joffre, Montgomery, Tester, Coleman, Jones, Batiste, Ap Sion, Griffin. Subs: Gilman, Ward, Marshall, Heaume, Radford.
Jersey: Le Sech, Huckerby, Stangroom, Boyle, Brennan, Walker, Gilroy, Beatson, Hemia-Kamau, Jeffries, Stirling. Subs: Lagardere, Lloyd, Martins, O’Keeffe, Lawlor.
