Jersey 4, Guernsey 1

GUERNSEY’S dream start soon turned into a nightmare as a Jodie Botterill-inspired Jersey hit back to break Sarnian hearts. A goal after just 39sec by Lucy Sebire, capitalising on a dreadful defensive mix-up set Guernsey rolling. The home side went into the break 2-1 up however, and two more goals in the second period wrapped up the match.

‘It was a good game but I was a bit disappointed with the result. I don’t think we deserved to lose by that score and when we were down to 10it made it harder, of course,’ said Guernsey coach Darren Ogier.

‘But I don’t think the officials helped us – (their decisions) didn’t seem quite even. The sending-off probably was a sending-off offence, but if the officials had dealt with it earlier, we would have had the free-kick, and the incident wouldn’t have happened. But I was really pleased with our seven new caps.’

In a match that saw five goals, a sending-off – and some very skilful football from both sides – it was Guernsey who went ahead less than a minute into the game after a defensive error from long-serving Jersey player Marie Rolland.

She put the ball past the prostrate ‘keeper, leaving Guernsey forward Lucy Sebire with the easy job of tapping it into the open goal.

Shocked, Jersey regrouped and started to apply pressure, with several near-misses on the Guernsey goal. One shot, initially stopped by Carre at full stretch, bobbled up and over her shoulder, and it was luck that saw it roll past the post and out of play.

But the Sarnian defence held, and was quick and effective, with the Jersey players seeming, perhaps, almost a little complacent for a time.

Then Rolland made up for her early error by scoring in the 15th minute, and after that the shots came thick and fast, though Carre was always in control.

Botterill was making her mark on the game with repeated breaks, and it was she who scored Jersey’s second goal after an excellent cross from Michaela Dawson.

Play was more even for a while after the break, both sides running hard and fighting for possession, then Kerrie Hussey came within inches of an equaliser, her shot just ricocheting off the post.

Hussey was the centre of attention again a few minutes later when she was red-carded after elbowing, then hitting an opponent, the only sour note in a sporting and hard-fought game.

With Guernsey down to 10 players, Jersey scored their third almost immediately, Botterill doing the damage again with a beautiful curling shot from right to left across the goal that swung into the top of the net, just out of reach of Carre’s outstretched hands.

Then just minutes before the final whistle, Botterill – who was deservedly named player of the match -crossed the ball for Suzanne Rosser to score – and it was all over.

Guernsey skipper Jemma Bailey said: ‘Obviously we are all pretty gutted with the result and I don’t think we deserved to lose by so many goals. And losing a central midfielder made it hard.

‘I was pleased with the way we played the ball around in the second half, but the heat made it really tiring and had an impact. In the first half we took the game to them, and the goal was a nice break for us!

‘Everyone worked hard and I am very proud to be part of this team. We have a lot of young players and can work for the future. Like Arnie said – we’ll be back!’