Guernsey under-21s’ skipper Naro Zimmerman lifts the Ambassadeur Bowl after a remarkable victory at Springfield. (Picture by Matthew Hotton, 0675491)

Jersey 2, Guernsey 3 (AET)

THIS was victory done the hard way.

Guernsey, so close to losing grip of the trophy, pulled back a two-goal deficit to win by the odd goal in five after extra time at Springfield.

It was tough luck on the home team as they had matched their more experienced opponents for long periods and Guernsey forced extra-time by scoring their second goal deep into time added on for stoppages.

Jersey striker Craig Russell scored with two well directed headers in an 11min. spell just after the hour but Guernsey pulled a goal back through substitute Jason Winch and the sub went on to become his team’s hero by being involved in their two goals.

Winch whipped a free kick into the heart of Jersey’s penalty area for Guernsey to score their last-ditch equaliser off the head of Ben Coulter and he then pushed the ball out wide left for Glyn Dyer to let rip with a 30-yard cross-cum shot which flew into a top corner over the head of Jersey’s back- pedalling goalkeeper Luke Bechelet for what turned out to be the match winner.

Jersey had had a great chance in the first period of extra time to have gone 3-2 ahead themselves but visiting goalkeeper Ashley Williams made a terrific parry diving to his left to deny Russell a hat-trick.

Guernsey manager Martyn de Garis thought the game had gone with 90 minutes up.