Guernsey halted Jersey’s unbeaten run in the Under-16 Muratti with an extra time win at Springfield.
The Sarnians had not lifted the Nigel Gavey Trophy since 2017, but put on a strong team performance in difficult surroundings in front of 300 fans.
Jersey took control straight early when striker Harry Henderson controlled a bobbling ball to fire in from close range after only 13 minutes.
Guernsey then started to build momentum and captain Aston Young coolly dispatched a penalty in the 20th minute after an ill-advised reach from the Jersey keeper, making it 1-1.
Jersey created some threatening positions as the first 40 minutes ticked by, but were kept at bay in part due to a starring performance from Guernsey goalkeeper Regan Penney, notably in the opening half making a leaping grab from Stan Heynes’ dangerous free kick.
The second half sparked to life early.
Guernsey’s Theo Cooper slotted the ball neatly in the bottom corner to put his side ahead only two minutes after the restart.
Both teams carved out chances with some outstanding saves keeping the ball out until there were just four minutes left of regular time.
Jersey’s Henderson chipped the ball into the box, finding the head of sub Archie Drummond to equalise.
Extra time was needed, and Guernsey showed strength of character in not letting that late fightback from the hosts knock them.
They regained the lead in some style.
The ball was pinched off his toes by Guernsey’s Young pinched the ball off Jersey centre back Kingsley Bennett and spotting the keeper off his line, produced an audacious chip from 40 yards to give his side the lead.
As the travelling crowd’s cheers rang out, Jersey’s Muratti squad slumped to the floor.
Jake Martin then left his mark, finishing a pristine volley from Jack Sylvester’s cross to double their lead in the game’s dying embers.
Jersey 2
Henderson 13, Drummond 76
U16 Guernsey 4
Young 20, 88, Cooper 42, Martin 94
HT: 1-1
Attendance: 300
Player of the Match: Regan Penney (Guernsey)
Guernsey Squad: Regan Penney (Vale Rec), Freddie Ford (North), Eddy Blond-Rocques (North), Riley Tyrell (Vale Rec), Byron Wakefield (Vale Rec), Seb Mourant (North), Bertie Beddow (Vale Rec), Sam Bookless (Rovers), Theo Cooper (Rovers), Aston Young (C) (Rovers), Dylan Graham (Vale Rec), Jack Sylvester (Vale Rec), Matthew Jackson (North), Freddie Cochrane (Rovers), Jake Martin (North), Ben Tooley.
Jersey Squad: Riley Walker (St Lawrence), Lyle Pritchard (St Lawrence), Kingsley Bennett (Grouville), Hayden Bailey (Trinity), Sol Bennett (C) (Grouville), Riley Brennan (Trinity), Layten Harris (Grouville), Gabriel Medeiros (Trinity), Stan Heynes (Grouville), Harry Henderson (Trinity), Charlie Caviglione (St Lawrence). Substitutes: Alan Wiecek (Trinity), Jayden Mallett (Grouville), William Matthews (Trinity), Archie Drummond (Grouville), Charlie Le Mains (S Ouen’s).