JERSEY bounced back from a 3-1 defeat by Barking on Sunday to beat Plymouth 2-1 yesterday in the annual Primary Schools’ Football Festival.

David Blampied scored the Island’s first goal at the FB Fields in the week-long tournament and strikes yesterday from Richard Goncalves and Jamie Burrows helped Jersey net their first victory.

Jersey coach Mark De Luca, who is being assisted by Tony Hoyland and Rob Cameron, said: ‘We had a poor first half against Barking and as a result trailed 2-0 at half time.

It was much better after the break, our defence was tighter as we looked to bounce back.

‘David Blampied scored an excellent header from Jack Hinton’s free kick and we repeated the feat only to have the goal taken away as a player strayed offside.

‘We pushed hard for an equaliser but unfortunately we then conceded a third goal on the break.

The scoreline did not reflect the closeness of the game overall.

‘The Plymouth victory was a good one, Plymouth won their opener 5-3 and they were a strong and physical side.

We stormed the first half playing some good football and led with a goal from Richard Goncalves.

We then went two-up following a great move up our left started by the goalkeeper.

‘Jamie Burrows finished it off with a tap-in after another Jack Hinton cross.

We were cruising but again we left ourselves exposed at the back for Plymouth to grab a late consolation.’ Jersey: Jordan Le Guyader, Jamie Vibert, Jamie Gray, Ryan Thorpe, David Blampied, Matthew Wellman, Cavaghn Miley, Luke Stratford, William Humphrey, Richard Goncalves, Danny Brannen, Jamie Burrows, Jack Hinton, Charlie Griggs, Steven Ellis and James Le Feuvre-Hunt.

Day 1: Newbury B 2, Sutton Coldfield White 1; Festival Elect 1, Bath B 3; Jersey 1, Barking 3; Sutton Coldfield Red 3, Plymouth 5; South Birmingham 2, Bath A 2; Gloucester 3, hackney 0; Newbury A 4, Thurrock 2; Orpington 1, Chiltern 2.

Yesterday: Sutton Coldfield White 0, Bath B 5; Festival Elect 6, Newbury B 1; Sutton Coldfield Red 2, Barking 2; Plymouth 1, Jersey 2; Thurrock 0, Bath A 0; Gloucester 6, Chiltern 0; South Birmingham 1, Newbury A 3; Orpington 1, Hackney 3.

The festival starts at 10.15 am every day at the FB Fields.