Jersey shock Guernsey to lift Muratti

Jersey stunned Guernsey to win the Muratti for the first time in four years with a richly deserved 3-2 victory at Footes Lane.

Jack Boyle, captain Luke Watson and Stuart Andre helped the Caesareans race into a 3-0 lead before Ross Allen and Angus Mackay raised hopes of a fightback from the hosts.

For the first hour or so it was as complete a performance as Jimmy Reilly could have hoped for in his first final in charge of the island and will raise hopes of another gold medal at the NatWest Island Games next month.

After conceding an early goal in each of the last two finals, it was Jersey that hit the front within five minutes. On his Muratti debut, Zeljko Martinovic fed Boyle who calmly finished past Chris Tardif.

Guernsey had chances to equalise, but both Allen and Craig Young were well denied by visitor’s goalkeeper Craig Fletcher.

Boyle then turned provider as Jersey doubled their lead. The midfielder’s inswinging corner was met by Watson who headed in to deepen Guernsey’s troubles.

Marc McGrath squandered another good opportunity before half time, but Jersey picked up where they left off after half time.

Boyle’s left wing free kick was only half cleared and Andre finished smartly to make it 3-0.

Steve Sharman made changes to try and summon something from his team with both Kieran Mahon and Glyn Dyer were introduced in midfield.

But it was another substitute Sam Cochrane that set-up Guernsey’s opening goal. His long punt forward dropped to Ross Allen and his expertly executed lob cut the gap.

Then with four minutes to play a left wing corner resulted in a goal mouth scramble and Mackay bundled the ball in from a tight angle.

But Jersey were able to see the match out without any further alarm – a performance and result they could only have dreamt of.