Jersey cruise past Alderney to reach Muratti final

Photos via Leon Gladwell

Jersey ran riot against Alderney earlier today to secure a May 18^th Muratti final meeting with old rivals Guernsey. Despite the hosts scoring more than one goal in the semi-final, something they have not achieved since 1961, Jersey had done their damage by half time with braces from skipper Luke Watson and Jamie Savory helping them to a 7-0 lead at the break. Despite a spirited second period the 7 goal margin remained.

Photos via Leon Gladwell

The visitors stamped their authority on the game from the off and in the 9^th minute Jamie Mourant tested goalkeeper Chris Chadney will a well struck effort. 3 minutes later and Jersey were ahead when captain Luke Watson fired in a splendid free kick which beat Chadney all ends up. 23-year old Craig Russell was on hand to double the lead in the 14^thminute when he was in the right place at the right time to finish from close range. 2 minutes later and the visitors continued their siege on the Alderney goal with more success as Mourant’s effort took a deflection on its way in. Any hope the hosts had of Jersey taking their foot off the gas were gone in the 32^ndminute, Ben Gallichan rifling his effort into the corner. 3 minutes later and Jamie Savory joined in the goal spree when he was quickest to react after Russell’s shot bounced back off the bar. Savory added another in the 40^thminute before turning provider moments later, supplying an inch perfect cross which Watson nodded beyond Chadney to complete a first period of utter dominance for Jersey.

Photos via Leon Gladwell

The visitors made a couple of changes after the interval and Alderney cashed in, pulling back a consolation in the 52^nd minute when Chris Johns capitalised on a mistake by goalkeeper Craig Fletcher to make it 7-1. However just 3 minutes after and Jersey were at it again, Jack Cannon firing a free kick beyond Chadney which clipped the bar on its way in. Substitute Jay Giles produced a tidy finish from a difficult angle in the 57^thminute to extend Jersey’s tally to 9. However Alderney continued to keep their heads up and pulled back another goal in the 62^nd minute when Fletcher flapped at a Ross Benfield free kick, and the defender saw his effort fly into the net in similar fashion to the strike he scored against Sealand. With that Jersey were happy to play out the rest of the game as casual pace and settle for a comfortable semi-final win, matching a 7 goal margin they achieved in 2008.

Photos via Leon Gladwell

Alderney captain Andy Lawrence felt his side shouldn't have been behind by such a margin at the break "I think the score flattered them and our second half performance is something we can take great pride in"". The win confirmed the traditional Muratti final meeting between rivals Guernsey and Jersey on May 18^th. Exclusive photos of the game today will be available tomorrow. After a busy month non-FIFA football takes a break with the Channel Islands showdown the next game on fixture list. The full photo gallery, kindly provided for us by Leon Gladwell, is available here.

Match information - 

Score: Alderney 2 - 9 Jersey

Goals: Alderney – Chris Johns 52’ Ross Benfield 62’. Jersey – Luke Watson 12’, 41’ Craig Russell 14’ Jamie Mourant 16’ Ben Gallichan 32’ Jamie Savory 35’, 40’ Jack Cannon 55’ Jay Giles 57’.

Alderney XI: Chadney; McCormick [Foster 46'], Atkins, Benfield, Aldcroft; Phelan [Stretton 60'], Concanen, Johns, Malloy [Bohan 71']; Lawrence, McCulloch.

Jersey XI: Fletcher; Scott, Cannon, LeFeuvre, Campbell [Reid 50’]; Mourant, Grierson, Gallichan [Giles 46’], Watson; Savory, Russell [Parkinson 71'].