Primary schools maintain unbroken record

JERSEY’S Primary Schools’ football squad are undefeated after two games of their four-match tour in the South of England

Jersey squandered a two-goal advantage before drawing 2-2 against Gosport and Fareham on Saturday, but yesterday the tourists won 2-1 against Newbury.Jersey only arrived 20 minutes before the scheduled kick-off time against Gosport and Fareham but they started positively playing an attractive passing game on a narrow, short and bumpy pitch.The visitors played by far the brighter football and they scored with two long-distance efforts from Joe Parkinson.

However two lapses of concentration midway through the second half allowed the hosts to achieve a draw.Yesterday Jersey were well prepared to face Newbury on a good-sized pitch, but again on an uneven playing surface.

Cold and blustery conditions failed to dampen the spirits of Jersey’s enthusiastic squad but they went a goal behind when a ball across the face of their penalty area was not cleared, leaving Newbury a tap-in at a far post.Jersey then grew in confidence and after some good passing play equalised when the diminutive Harrison Jukes nodded the ball into a top corner.Spurred on by the goal, Jersey started to dominate and Newbury were forced to clear the ball off their goal-line three times following impressive Jersey possession and constructive build-up play.

A fine cross-field pass from Joe Parkinson was skilfully controlled by Kamen Nafka and, ghosting in at a far post past the defence, Nafka calmly slotted the ball home for the Island’s second goal.Jersey continued to dominate proceedings to run out deserved victors after a solid team performance.Jersey play Vale of White Horse today and Poole and East Dorset tomorrow.Primary Schools: Aidan McGuire (De La Salle), Richard Sinel (FCJ), Kamen Nafka (Grouville), Blake Derbyshire (St Luke), Toby Goar (St Michael), Johnny Ward (St Peter), Scott Johnson (Rouge Bouillon), William Falle (Victoria Prep), Harrison Jukes, Jake Baker, Jamie Bowkett (all St Saviour), Daniel Wilkes (St Martin), Jo Parkinson (St Lawrence), Kurtis Guthrie (Plat Douet), Clayton Romeril (First Tower).

Article posted on 23rd February, 2004 - 12.00am