Jersey’s finest female footballers face three fixtures in three days in Orkney. Their group is compiled of Bermuda, the Isle of Wight and the Shetland Islands.
Following a particularly unfortunate exit from the Guernsey 2023 Island Games, where Jersey were knocked out due to a coin-toss, the ladies in red are especially keen to set the record straight.
Jersey faced a tough challenge in their initial Orkney 2025 Island Games fixture, as they played the reigning Island Games champions Bermuda. Their opposition are also the 145th of 196 FIFA ranked women’s football teams.
Despite their opposition being favoured, Jersey’s women had a bright start against the FIFA ranked Bermuda, with Anita Tavares getting her name on the scoresheet after just six minutes.
Both sides had valid penalty appeals in the opening 45 minutes, but neither were given.
An even first-half ended with Jersey still boasting a narrow one-goal lead. Despite pressure from their opponents, hitting the upright on the stroke of half-time, the Caesareans stood firm to maintain their advantage.
Bermuda came into the second stanza with a spring in their step, it took just 15 minutes for the Guernsey 2023 winners to find an equaliser. 60 minutes in, and it was back to an even contest.
Bermuda doubled down soon after once a penalty was finally awarded. After an unfortunate handball in the Jersey 18-yard-box, Bermuda took the lead converting from the spot-kick.
Bermuda added to their 2-1 lead in the dying moments. A brilliant save from Luce saw the ball tipped onto the bar, but an opposing striker was there to collect the rebound and tap home a third.
A couple of attacking-minded changes in the final few minutes from coach Chad Morris proved too little too late for the ladies in red. A closely matched 3-1 loss in the opening match of their campaign is a commendable result.
Promising signs from Jersey’s women will hopefully be transferred into Monday’s fixture against the Shetland Islands.
The fixture between Shetland Islands and Isle of Wight earlier in the day finished 1-1.
A 15:30pm kick-off at Orkney’s KGS Pitch 2 will give Jersey the chance to get their first points on the board at this year’s Island Games.
Squad: Luce (GK), Sundby, Da Silva, Muirhead (c), Benest, Brennand, Flynn, Ruth, Tavares, Morris, Silva
Subs: Malta (GK), Rodrigues, Clyde-Smith, Thornton, Riley, Docherty, Wyse, Le Page, Lynam
