ISLAND manager Chad Morris says the future of women’s football is ‘only getting brighter’, after Jersey extended their formidable Muratti record at Guernsey’s expense.
Yesterday’s clash at Springfield was the first of its kind in six years, as the female showpiece made a welcome return to the inter-insular sporting calendar in front of 550 supporters.
Rookie Roisin Flynn was the star of the show.
The teenager scored two goals and assisted one for Louise Van Der Vliet in the 5-0 triumph and was a constant threat down the right wing.
Hannah Campbell and Ella Brennand completed the scoring, with all five goals coming in the second half.
‘I thought we had plenty of possession in the first half, without having any end product,’ said Morris.
‘Then in the half-time chat, it was “let’s literally do what we’ve been doing in training’’, which is commit the players into the box when we get in the wide areas. That’s what we did and that’s where the goals came from.’
Flynn was beaming with pride after deservedly collecting her player-of-the-match award, capping a fine breakthrough season for the Rozel Rovers winger.
‘It’s her first season in women’s football and as you can see, she is a winger who wants to go one-v-one and beat people. What a massive weapon that is, particularly with her pace as well.’
After a cagey first half, Jersey asserted themselves to dominate their opponents. Libby Barnett, captaining a Muratti side for the first time, was particularly tigerish in the midfield as Guernsey wilted under the pressure.
An excellent second-half performance thrilled the crowd and Morris believes support for the women’s annual inter-insular is only going to improve.
‘We had about 550 here, which is great. If that can keep growing every year, or every other year, when it’s at home for the Muratti, we can start getting up to 1,000 people.
‘I think the football on show was attractive and people will want to come and watch it. The priority was to win the Muratti but we also wanted to show off our style of play, which we did.’
