Jersey 'heads held high' after defeat in new cup

Organisers said they aim to hold the event every two years

The Jersey women's football team can "hold their heads high" after being defeated in the final of a new tournament hosted on the island, a senior player says.

Jersey was beaten by Isle of Man 4-3 on penalties to win the inaugural Cherry Godfrey Cup at St Helier's Springfield Stadium at the weekend.

Player Tiff Sundby said the final had been "super close" and the team was reflecting after the loss, adding it had been "just the beginning" for the team's season.

It came after Jersey had gained revenge for May's Muratti Vase defeat to Guernsey with a 3-1 win over their Channel Island rivals in Friday's semi-final.

'Battles on the pitch'

Ms Sundby said of the tournament, which also included the Isle of Wight: "It was good to have two other teams over and have an opportunity to play somebody different."

She said beating Guernsey had been "great" after losing to them at the Muratti Vase match, adding their earlier clash had been "just a fluke".

"That was definitely something we are all holding on to."

Describing "loads of great individual battles on the pitch", she added: "We are finishing the tournament with our heads held high and looking forward to building even more.

"This is really just the beginning ahead of the Island Games."

Organisers aim to hold the event every two years, with the tournament allowing island players to compete against one another on a more regular basis.

Currently their only regular tournament is the biennial Island Games, which will next be hosted by Orkney in 2025.