Guernsey fail to produce goods

Jersey 3, Guernsey 0

STEVE OGIER'S new-look Guernsey side crashed 3-0 in yesterday afternoon's Cherry Godfrey Muratti Vase final at Springfield - and they can have few complaints. Indeed, Ogier, experiencing his first Muratti as a boss, said: 'It could have been worse had keeper Jody Bisson not made two excellent saves in the first half.

'One team performed to their potential today, the other didn't quite reach that level.'

Jersey, who have now won three on the trot, led 2-0 at the break, with the prolific Ross Crick bagging both, the second a penalty in first-half stoppage time, and a header from midfielder Ged McConnell on 68 minutes ended any hopes of a Guernsey revival.

It was a trio of Jersey Scottish stars, goalscorers Crick and McConnell and man-of-the-match David Brodie, who did the most damage - gaining full revenge for their recent Upton Park defeat with livewire displays. Guernsey, in stark contrast, never quite lived up to the promise of the opening half hour.

Guernsey certainly had openings and looked eager enough, but their best work was done outside of the box. Jersey, with Brodie controlling the midfield majestically, created the better openings and were always eager to shoot on sight.

Starting with new Muratti caps Joby Bourgaize, Steve Concanen and Jon Veron in their line-up, Guernsey's front runners, Ryan Tippett and Veron, had a promising start and threatened to damage Jersey with pace and close control, respectively.

Crick took two attempts to boot Jersey ahead on 23 minutes and then he was gifted the chance of a second from the penalty spot.

It came on the stroke of half time after Ian Potter stuck out foot to trip Dave Le Roux as he weaved his way into Guernsey's penalty area.

Premiership referee Howard Webb was up with play to make his decision and there were no complaints from Guernsey's players.

Crick, who missed his last penalty kick in the Upton Park Trophy shootout nine days earlier, made no mistake this time as he powerfully drove the ball to goalkeeper Bisson's right.

The 2,700 crowd roared with delight, Jersey had a two-goal interval lead and it could well have been four as midway through the half Bisson made excellent saves from Le Roux and Crick.

Guernsey had efforts on Jersey's goal but in the main they were tame and rarely was custodian Jimmy Styles stretched.

Dave Rihoy did stretch him to his right with a fine strike while Tippett got inside Jersey's defence but Styles flicked away his acute angle effort.

The final nail went in Guernsey's coffin midway through the second period. Crick looked to have lost a goalscoring opportunity as he weaved around the area but sliding the ball out to Chris Hamon the former professional clipped in a first-time cross for McConnell to nod Jersey 3-0 ahead from eight yards.

Jersey finished strongly and impressively while Guernsey faded as a real force. The home side repeatedly got round the back of Guernsey's defence and substitute Chris McNabb and Brodie, who again pulled all the strings in midfield, both had efforts blocked.

Guernsey started the match brightly with Veron having a goal-bound effort well blocked by Craig Ferey. Jersey adopted a shoot-on-sight policy but at times their shooting was wayward.

In reply, Dave Rihoy raced onto a fine pass from Matt Warren on Guernsey's right but as he attempted to pull the ball back Paul Duxbury made up the lost ground to cut out the cross.

Jan Renouf was then left unmarked from a corner from Guernsey's right but he nodded straight at Styles.

Both sides' first touch was nervy early on before Jersey created a great chances in the 15th minute.

Hamon arrowed in a ball from the left and after Bisson dropped it McConnell's goalbound effort was blocked before the ball was scrambled clear.

Guernsey responded with Veron getting behind Jersey's defence only for Ryan Lumsden to stop him in his tracks with a well-timed tackle.

Jersey then started to get their passing together. Brodie having recovered after an early knock, found Chris Andrews out on the right.

Andrews then cut inside across a couple of challenges before slipping the ball into Crick's path.

Crick stabbed the ball goalward only to see it hit the post - but he was first to the rebound to put Jersey ahead from close range.

Guernsey responded with Renouf bringing a good save out of Styles low to his right.

Jersey were now playing confidently and Crick should have made it 2-0 but Bisson beat out his shot from eight yards.

A minute later Le Roux raced clear only for Bisson to again rescue his team with another super blocked save.

Joby Bourgaize wriggled free behind Jersey's defence but he could not pick out a colleague and Jersey cleared the danger.

Hamon went close with a low drive while Stuart Polson did well to make a fine interception as Le Roux threatened

Crick stuck away the penalty on the stroke of half time and although Guernsey battled hard after the break they were unable to break down Jersey's tough-tackling rearguard before losing that third crucial goal to McConnell.

Jersey now lead the series 47-40.