ELLIOT Powell signed off his managerial career with the Jersey FA with a dominant 3-1 victory in the U21 Muratti, which saw Jersey U21s lead from the front over their Channel Island rivals.
Skipper Jack Lumsden lifted the Ambassadeur Bowl aloft in front of a rowdy Springfield home crowd, and was also named player of the match in a thoroughly one-sided inter-insular clash that he described as “one of the best moments of his career so far”.
This victory has taken the overall Ambassadeur Bowl tally to 19-16 in Guernsey’s favour. However, the boys in red certainly enjoyed their revenge after last year’s disappointing and controversial defeat on enemy soil.
Powell fielded a young squad, with many players in the starting line-up still being at school and in their teenage years.
This proved no issue, however, as both their experience and physicality shone over the Sarnians from the off.
One needed merely look at the starting XIs to see the difference in size that Jersey had over their counterparts, something which would play a key role in their victory.
The game’s first action came after just six minutes, when the home side opened the scoring at Springfield, as the impressive Connor Lloyd rose highest from a corner to power his header into the back of the net.
The lead was deserved, as Powell’s men flew out of the traps and imposed themselves from the first whistle.
It took the Sarnians until the 26th minute to register their first effort on goal, a long range strike which was safely gathered by Jersey keeper Pierce Roche.
The Caesareans almost doubled their advantage just past the half-hour mark, however, as Harry Scott produced a Johan Cruyff-inspired turn to lose his man, unleashing a wicked left-footed strike which looked goal-bound, if not for the outstretched fingertips of Guernsey’s Ollie Miller in net.
The second goal would come just moments after though, as Seaney McColgan, who looked electric from the start, latched onto a low cross to nudge home from close distance via a small deflection, unfortunately counting as an own goal for defender Tom Solway, but sending the home players and fans alike delirious regardless.
A more ideal first half could not have been asked for, that is until an unfortunate moment just on the stroke of half time.
Jersey number 9, Daryl Mvalo, had received a yellow card previously in the half for kicking the ball away unnecessarily, and was given his marching orders right on the half-time whistle after nudging the ball out of the keeper’s hands as he prepared for a long goal kick.
With his team flying, it seemed an unnecessary thing for Mvalo to do, but in Powell’s opinion, it was “the softest red card you’ll see in Muratti football”.
Nevertheless, the home side strolled into the break two goals to the good, but looking at a potential issue with only ten men remaining on the park, with Powell himself also earning a caution during the break.
As the second half began though, the home supporters needn’t have feared, as Jersey continued to dominate possession and control the game, despite the man disadvantage.
As routinely seen in these fixtures, the needle between both sides was most certainly on display. However, captain Lumsden was doing a superb job both at managing that physicality himself and also maintaining the discipline throughout his young side.
Going down to nine men could have been catastrophic for the home side, especially as the yellow cards were being brandished almost at will throughout the 90.
Jersey manager Powell was firm in his thoughts, commenting: “There was obviously a lot of debate last year around neutral referees after last year’s officiating performance, and I think that debate will continue this year.
“As the fixtures become closer to senior, I do think we need that neutral referee.
“Both Jersey and Guernsey have top referees on-Island, but I think with the rivalry how it is between both sides, we’re just looking for that UK-type experience where fouls are allowed to be let go and the game can flow better.
“I thought the whistle was blown far too much today, too many cards were brandished and it’s not really what you want to see in these fixtures.”
Powell’s young men were not to be deterred, however, as they looked to have turned their two-goal lead into three just past the hour mark.
Harry Scott, who played an outstanding game, actually had the ball in the net following an outstanding free-kick which hit both posts. Scott prodded in the rebound, but was deemed offside by the assistant referee.
Scott did have his goal, however, just 20 minutes from time. The energetic McColgan was replaced on 68 minutes by Callum Gilroy, who became the architect for the game winner just three minutes after coming on.
Gilroy slotted a meticulous pass through the legs of the central defender, leaving Scott through on goal, calmly easing the ball through the on-rushing keeper’s legs to leave the Sarnians canoeing upstream without a paddle.
Guernsey did manage to get themselves on the scoresheet, after a mix up at the back meant the ball was spilled by Jersey shotstopper Roche and an easy tap-in followed for green forward Finn Patterson with just ten minutes remaining.
What followed was a flurry of visits to the book for men from both sides, as the yellow cards continued their regular visits to the sky via the referee’s right hand.
Guernsey pushed for a second to no avail, as Roche made up for the previous blunder by producing a magnificent save right on the final whistle to keep the lead to two.
As the final whistle blew, Jersey celebrations began and a thoroughly well-deserved victory was sealed.
Captain Lumsden spoke after the game, saying: “This is a really proud moment for us all.
“For me personally, to have my family and friends in the crowd is something really special and to get to lift the trophy at Springfield for a home Muratti win is something I will always treasure.
“I thought we were absolutely brilliant today and we thoroughly deserved the win.
“It’s nice to get some revenge after last year’s loss, but we’re all absolutely buzzing with this one.”
Signing off his Jersey FA managerial career, Powell concluded: “I’m delighted for everyone involved.
“There were some really young lads on the park today, but really experienced as well.
“You can tell a lot of our young boys are getting great experience through both the Bulls and local senior football and that shone through today.
“I think the future of football on Island is looking really strong and it’s been a real honour to have had the chance to lead the team.
“Whoever comes in next [Jack Gannon was named as the new coach over the weekend] has an exciting task on their hands with this group moving forwards.”
Jersey U21: Pierce Roche, JJ Lloyd (off 76), Fergus Boyle, Tom Goncalves, Connor Lloyd, Jack Lumsden (c) (yellow 74), Harry Scott (off 83), Will Yates (off 93), Darryl Mvalo (red 45), Seaney McColgan (off 68) Luke Coutanche (off 92)
Subs: James Murphy (on 76), Sonny Cassidy (on 93), Stanley Dunne, Leighton Gilroy (on 83), Evan Lees (on 92), Callum Gilroy (on 68), Harry Gladdish
Guernsey U21: Ollie Miller, Jacques Cauvin, Tom Solway (off 61), Archie Drillot (c) (yellow 95), George Montgomery (off 78), Alex Roussel, Owen Wallbridge (yellow 58) (off 78), Fin Du Port (yellow 89), Keene Domaille (yellow 90), Jamie Smith (off 78), Brandon Wallace
Subs: Rio Bowditch, Harry Hodgson, Ben Wilson (on 78) (yellow 89), Zac Batiste (on 78), Fin Patterson (on 61), Alex Ward (on 78), Tyrese Kelly
