JERSEY finished their South West Counties Championship campaign with a deserved 3-1 victory at Springfield on Saturday.

In brilliant sunshine, but before a disappointing crowd of around 80, Jersey got off to a flying start against the Royal Air Force with goals in the opening 12 minutes from captain Lee Bradshaw and Dave Brodie.Dave Matthews’ side added a third on the hour through Dave Le Roux only for the RAF to hit back with a penalty kick.

Although Jersey had further chances they had to defend doggedly in the closing 15 minutes as the RAF bombarded their penalty area with some good approach play.The victory, which lifted Jersey into third place on goal-difference behind the Army, ensures them at least fourth place in Group B with their final points total three better than last season.Matthews said: ‘I’m delighted for the lads, they did themselves, the team and the Island proud.

We had a great start with two goals and it’s difficult to keep your composure throughout after that.’We scored three very good goals; we worked hard on our finishing at training this week and it paid off.

We had to graft hard at times as the RAF pressed on and although we had a couple of good breaks we held out well at the end.’The RAF are a decent side and physical.

But we dug in well to stop them from playing and at the finish they threw a lot at us but we were able to stand firm.’RAF player-manager Alan Pluckrose, said: ‘It was a good game and I’ve no complaints with the result.

Jersey scored some great goals and they deserved to win.’It’s our first season in the competition and we have thoroughly enjoyed it.

It’s our build-up for the inter-services’ competition next month and all the matches in the group have been competitive and evenly-matched.’Jersey opened brightly and they went a goal up in the third minute.

Following a corner the ball came to Dave Brodie on a corner of the penalty area and looking up he floated a cross to the far post where defender Lee Bradshaw rose unmarked to powerfully nod it into the goal from seven yards.Brodie and the hard-working Chris McNabb got an early grip on proceedings in midfield at it was Brodie who then made it 2-0 with a fantastic strike into a far top corner from 25 yards.The strike was superb and the build-up equally impressive.

Chris Hamon, Gary Freeman and Charlie Smith were all involved before Brodie, who dropped his shoulder to send his marker the wrong way, drilled the ball into a far top corner to double Jersey’s advantage with just 12 minutes gone.The RAF responded with Paul Feeley side-footing a chance onto the outside of a Jersey post and then Feeley turned provider for John Watson, who plays for Hayes in the Ryman Premier Division, but he lifted the ball over advancing goalkeeper Jimmy Styles and wide of a post.Le Roux brought a good save out of the RAF’s lanky goalkeeper James Saxton after Hamon and Freeman shifted the ball quickly and then Jersey failed to pick up Will Hughes from a long throw-in and he should have capitalised from six yards.Styles saved well to his left from Darren Shallicker and then the’keeper was alert to boot the ball off his goal-line as Gavin Barnes threatened to score.After a scrappy start to the second half Jersey bagged their third with a fine finish from Le Roux.

An RAF defender touched on a long ball from Smith and Le Roux raced clear and keeping his composure he fired home well across the face of goal.Again the RAF fought back and Bradshaw made a fine block to deny a goal-bound effort from Watson.

But soon after the visitors won a penalty as James Hayward pulled Shallicker back and Shallicker reduced the deficit from the resultant spot kick.Jersey then invited pressure on themselves by giving the ball away cheaply and Gordon Brodie did well under pressure to make a fine clearance.Play continued to swing from end to end and Saxton made a great save high to his right to deny Hamon from outside the penalty area.

Dave Brodie shot through a sea of legs only for Saxton to save again while in the closing minutes Jersey were forced to defend desperately with defenders getting their bodies in the way of three shots while Styles also save twice.Jersey: Jimmy Styles; James Hayward, Lee Bradshaw, Gordon Brodie, John Beatson; Charlie Smith (Ged McConnell, 88), Dave Brodie, Chris McNabb, Chris Hamon; Gary Freeman, Dave Le Roux.Cautioned: D Brodie.RAF: James Saxton; Chris Roberts, Will Hughes, Gavin Barnes, Matt Allen; Dyffan Pierce, Neil Thomas, Paul Feeley, John Watson (Richard Bond, 83); Darren Shallicker (Allan Pluckrose, 83), Darren Bray.