FORMER captain Chris Andrews is the pride of the Island after scoring Jersey’s winning kick in a 7-6 sudden death penalty shoot-out Cimandis Muratti Vase victory over Guernsey at Foote’s Lane on Sunday afternoon.
Jersey had had the lion’s share of possession and the better chances throughout a goalless draw after 90 minutes and extra time, before a dour game was finally decided on spot kicks - the first time a shoot-out has been used to decide a Vase final before a replay.
Guernsey went into the dramatic finale knowing they had won the Centenary Muratti replay in 2005 with a shoot-out.
But the Sarnians missed their first kick of the regulation five penalties when goalkeeper Jimmy Styles brilliantly saved Ollie Mackenzie’s shot low to his left.
Jersey went 2-1 ahead after substitute Craig Leitch and Jack Cannon tucked away their kicks nicely but when James Scott had his saved by Guernsey’s Jody Bisson the scores were tied at two apiece.
Ryan Tippett restored Guernsey’s lead only for Peter Vincenti to make it 3-3.
Matt Warren nudged the hosts ahead and with the Guernsey crowd booing Jersey captain Dave Brodie as he took his kick he coolly converted to silence them again.
Into sudden death and it was 5-5 after Piers Ockleford scored his off the underside of the crossbar with Ross Crick levelling again.
Sam Cochrane and Stuart André - who missed in the last Muratti shootout - took it to six apiece before Guernsey went quiet again when Leighton Chainey hit the crossbar.
With the pressure on to win the match Andrews rolled his kick into a bottom corner to win Jersey the game and send his team-mates into wild celebrations.
Jersey manager Dave Kennedy said: ‘It’s my first game and my first victory, I’m delighted for everyone and overall I thought we were the better team.
‘I’m really disappointed Stuart André was not named man of the match, he was rock solid in the heart of our defence and he did not lose an aerial challenge or a tackle all afternoon.’
Article posted on 8th May, 2007 - 12.00am
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