Jersey’s footballer of the year, Mark Lucas (in blue) challenges for possession in yesterday’s 4-1 win over the Isle of Wight (00730899)

THEY say football is a game of two halves – and that was certainly true for Jersey’s men yesterday, as they turned an unconvincing 1-1 half time score against the Isle of Wight into a clinical 4-1 drubbing at the final whistle.

Easing their way into tomorrow’s semi-final, Jersey found form and focus with half an hour remaining; Russell Le Feuvre, Jack Cannon and Craig Russell slotting home in 15 minutes to earn the full three points. Having conceded just one goal in their three games Jersey finish top of Group C with all nine points, sealing a semi-final with old Muratti rivals Guernsey, no less!

Coach Craig Culkin said: ‘It’s a good result but I was a little bit upset at half time – I was appalled at our first half performance. We weren’t winning battles, we weren’t winning possession, so I was very annoyed to say the least. But we made a few changes at half time, and we finally got some shape and structure back in the second half?
After an early scare, Jersey opened the scoring after ten minutes with a cracker from Ross Crick, who is having an excellent Island Games campaign.

Culkin said: ‘It just came out from the corner and Ross knocked it in. I have to say that he’s definitely back to his old self, which is absolutely great for us.

Jersey had the upper hand, but their opponents weren’t up for an easy game – loose balls were pounced on, possession was challenged and, as holes started to appear in Jersey’s defence, Darren Powell fired a shot past ’keeper Jimmy Styles for the equaliser.

Still, Jersey were looking at a point, which would have been enough to see them through to the semis – but they needed to step it up to avoid any chance of defeat.

The game spawned a few decent chances for both sides, but it wasn’t until the 78th minute that Russell Le Feuvre grabbed his chance to put Jersey 2-1 up – from the edge of the penalty box he converted a neat corner shot for the advantage, while Jack Cannon fired home a penalty won after a messy challenge in front of goal.

Jersey’s fourth and final goal was a crowd-pleaser; in the 90th minute Craig Russell beat two defenders 35 yards out for a solo run at goal, showing great composure to slide it past the’keeper.

Culkin said: ‘We’ve got nine points now from this tournament, which shows we’ve got a good team. We’ve got players who can score goals, plus we’ve only conceded one. It’s a slightly smaller squad than the one we took to Rhodes, but I think there’s more quality in our attacking players.

‘We’re still taking it one game at a time, but we’re looking forward to the Guernsey game on Thursday. It’s going to be a typical Muratti performance.’

Jersey: Jimmy Styles, Stuart André, James Quérée, Jack Cannon, Ben Gallichan, Russell Le Feuvre, Dave Le Roux, Mark Lucas, David Watson, Chris Andrews, Ross Crick. Subs used: Andrew Bird, James Hayward, Jean-Paul Martyn, Jay Reid, Craig Russell, Luke Watson, Michael Weir.