AN injury-ravaged Jersey side reduced to nine men against Guernsey’s ten at the finish may have expected words of consolation from manager Dave Kennedy at the end of their National Systems Cup round one tie at Springfield on Saturday – but they didn’t get many.

The Jersey manager, having won the Muratti and left the Island Games in Rhodes unbeaten, albeit without a medal, was certainly not scratching around for excuses at the end of extra-time.

Although his relatively inexperienced side, playing in the guise of the Coca-Cola Combination, had more than enough possession, pressure and chances to have won the tie against a far more recognisable Guernsey team, Kennedy was clearly displeased with the complacency shown after his side took the lead shortly after half-time through Dave Le Roux’s excellent goal.

‘We had looked bright up till then with some excellent crossing and chances created – but our goal was the turning point of the game in my opinion.

We let them straight back in when we should have gone on to finish them off.

‘Even after they equalised and we went down to ten when James Scott was sent off [for deliberate handball], I thought that would be the kick in the backside we needed to get back in control.

But it didn’t happen.

‘And I was far from pleased at the fitness levels shown at the end – they weren’t good enough and we were blowing a bit.

It’s disappointing, after the level of fitness we achieved at the Island Games.’ Guernsey, who reached the semi-final of this competition last season, will have known they got off the hook as Jersey, with left-back Jack Cannon and right-winger Chris Andrews supplying a regular supply of inviting crosses, high and low, into the box.

But the chances went begging, with Lee Burns side-footing the best of them wide.

Sam Cochrane equalised with a far post header on 66 minutes and after Scott’s dismissal for hand ball Guernsey eventually took the lead in the first period of extra time through Dave Rihoy.

Guernsey skipper Matt Warren was sent off for a poor challenge, but the Sarnians regained their numerical advantage when Jersey goalkeeper Craig Fletcher was dismissed for handling outside his area.

Craig Young wrapped up the victory with 20 yarder in the final period.