IN what was billed to be the Jersey FA Combination League Premiership 1’s most exciting match of the season so far, Grouville and St Clement played out a pulsating 1-1 draw at Le Boulivot on Saturday.
With both teams unbeaten heading into the clash and occupying the league’s top two positions, the stakes couldn’t have been higher.
With a packed crowd highlighting its importance, the match delivered in every way with a tantalising display of local top-flight football topped off by a dramatic late equaliser.
“This game was massive for us,” said Grouville manager Dave Fitton post match.
“It was imperative that we didn’t lose. A defeat would’ve put us in a position of chasing St Clement for the rest of the season, which is not a position any of us wanted to be in.”
The game began with Grouville asserting early pressure, forcing St Clement to absorb attacks and rely on quick counter attacks.
Harrison Moon, a tireless presence for the Groove up front, narrowly avoided a booking from Gareth Walker for a dubious tackle that sparked loud protests from the St Clement loyalists.
Meanwhile, the Anchors showcased their danger on the break, with the Groove’s goalkeeper Garry Lloyd being called into action several times to keep the visitors at bay.
The first half’s best chance however, fell to Grouville in the 20th minute, a pinpoint corner from Jules Gabbiadini found Jack Griffin, whose thumping header rattled the crossbar with goalkeeper Pierce Roche rooted to the spot.
St Clement responded moments later however, when Bruno Da Silva burst forward on the break, earning a one-on-one with Grouville’s man in green, alas, his attempt also found the woodwork, leaving both sides frustrated.
Reflecting on the game thus far, Fitton commented: “It was a tight first half, no doubt”, noting that St Clement played well, aptly turning defence into attack, while his men used their pressure and set pieces well.
At half-time, the score remained 0-0, but it was St Clement who broke the deadlock promptly after the break.
Seaney McColgan delivered a low cross that eluded the Grouville defence, only to find Jay Dos Santos in position, who slotted the ball home.
“I told the players at half-time that the first goal would likely win this game,” Fitton admitted. “Unfortunately, we weren’t sharp enough at the restart, and St Clement duly capitalised.
The goal sparked a ferocious response from the home side, who launched wave after wave of attacks that pinned the visitors deep in their borrowed half.
For nearly half-an-hour, the Anchors were under siege, struggling to clear their lines or even venture past the halfway line. Moon fired over from open play, Gabbiadini had a dangerous shot that deflected into Roche’s hands, and Grouville won a succession of corners that had St Clement scrambling to defend.
Despite their dominance, Grouville’s efforts seemed destined to go unrewarded until Fitton made a series of inspired substitutions with ten minutes left of regulation.
Andre Nunes, Callum Coote, and Blake Derbyshire were introduced to inject fresh energy and creativity.
“We threw everything at them,” Fitton explained. “We took off defenders and put attackers on to try and make something happen.
“It was a gamble, and it paid off” the manager added.
The breakthrough for the Blues finally came in stoppage time as the gave the Anchors a taste of their own medicine.
Grouville launched an imposing counter attack with substitute Nunes playing Moon forward.
With defenders closing from behind, and Roche approaching from the front, Moon continued forwards.
St Clement gloveman pounced as Moon dribbled the ball forward earning himself a chance to send the ball back where it came from.
However, in a moment he would probably rather forget, Roche misjudged the incoming ball, completely missing the attempted clearance, and leaving Moon to walk the ball into the net uncontested, sparking jubilant scenes among Grouville’s players and supporters alike.
The final whistle blew with Grouville firmly in control, with St Clement doing well to weather the continuing onslaught.
The 1-1 draw kept Grouville undefeated and tied at the top of the league with St Clement also undefeated but a game behind – setting the stage for a thrilling title race.
“There’s still loads of football to be played,” Fitton reassured, “I believe we got a fair result at the weekend, and I think we certainly earned our spot as title contenders.
“But it’s certainly not just all about the reverse fixture later in the season.
“It might well turn out that way, and if it does, we will throw the kitchen sink at them, but things can easily change.
“There’s plenty of good teams ahead of us both who can absolutely be dangerous on their day – so we are just taking one game at a time, focusing on the process and not the result.
“Grouville has never won the league, so it feels like we are the underdogs, but we have a great framework in place down here at Le Boulivot.
“The depth and skill we have available to us is something I’d say we’ve never had before, we have some brilliant young players coming up through the youth academy – which St Clement has shown is pivotal for success, and the facilities are always improving.
“But the best bit of all is the atmosphere and chemistry around the team – these guys will literally run through walls for each other – it’s a privilege to be their manager, and whatever happens I believe the future is bright.”
Grouville [Starting XI]: Garry Lloyd, Brad Le Mercier, Robert Martins-Figueira, Jack Griffin, Edgar Da Costa, Connor Lloyd, Jules Gabbiadini, Charles Payn, Harrison Moon, Jake Baker, Logan McGhee.
Substitutes: Blake Derbyshire, Andre Nunes, Callum Coote, Callum Barry, Charles Stewart.
St Clement [Starting XI]: Pierce Roche, Ryan Campos, Charlie Baty, Alfie Queree, Rhys Johansen, Reece Jackson, Seaney McColgan, Darren Coyle, Jay Dos Santos, Bruno Da Silva, Mark Logue.
Substitutes: Alex Mottram, Adam Falle, Louis Guillard, Daniel Tostevin, Joe Brophy.
