Under-21 Muratti: Guernsey fight back to beat Jersey

The away side has won the Under-21 Muratti in each of the past four seasons

Guernsey came from behind to beat Channel Island rivals Jersey 2-1 and win the Under-21 Muratti.

Jersey were ahead inside seven minutes at St Peter thanks to Jamie Mourant's well-placed strike.

Paris Pereira pulled the visitors level before half-time, though, following a neat move.

Kyle Smith headed in from close range to put Guernsey ahead, before Jersey substitute Luca Margaroli missed a gaping goal in the closing moments.

Wanderers forward Mourant had been an injury doubt earlier in the week, but was fit enough to start for Jimmy Reilly's side. He tucked the opener away with precision from just inside the area, curling into the bottom far corner.

Pereira's equaliser came 10 minutes before the break but the hosts were almost back ahead moments later when Matt Rondel headed just wide.

Jersey defender Calvin Weir went close after the restart but it was Northerners striker Smith who put Guernsey ahead at the other end with less than 15 minutes remaining.

His original effort was pushed onto the underside of the bar by James Loughray but was headed in at the second attempt.

Substitute Charlie Petulla hit a late effort straight at Guernsey goalkeeper Josh Addison, and then it was Petulla's dummy that left Margaroli unmarked in the area with seconds remaining, but he fired his effort over the bar.

And with that, the Ambassadeur Bowl was back in Guernsey hands.

Their victory means they take a 14-13 lead in the overall series, while nine of the last 11 clashes have now been won by the away side.

Jersey: Loughray, Preston, Luce, Weir, Griffin, Thompson, Poole, Miley, Rondel, Martinovic, Mourant.

Substitutes: Le Quesne, Van der Vliet, Petulla, Margaroli, Kermin.

Guernsey: Addison, Marsh, Alvarez, Germain, Cooley, Mahon, Hale, De La Mare, Pereira, Hall, Lamb.

Substitutes: Hanley, Riley, Langlois, Phillips, Delaney, Avery, Smith.

Attendance: 273

Jamie Mourant's early goal gave Jersey the lead at St Peter but it was not to last

Jimmy Reilly will hope for a better result when he takes charge of the senior Jersey side against Guernsey in the Muratti on Saturday, 16 May