Jersey women begin Island Games with Bermuda loss

Anita Tavares (right) gave Jersey an early lead in Stromness

Jersey’s women footballers have begun their 2025 Island Games campaign with a 3-1 loss to reigning champions Bermuda.

Anita Tavares gave Jersey a sixth minute lead as she shot left-footed into the corner.

Bermuda hit the Jersey bar shortly before half time as both sides had first half penalty appeals turned down.

But the Bermudans equalised when Jaden Masters struck from close range after an hour before taking the lead 14 minutes later when Khyla Brangman converted from the penalty spot.

The 2023 gold medallists added a third goal in stoppage time when Jya Rattaray Smith reacted quickest after a shot came back off the bar to go top of Group B.

The game was a repeat of the two islands’ opening game of the 2023 Island Games in Guernsey where the Bermudans ran out 4-0 winners.

Jersey - who missed out on a semi-final place two years ago due to an administrative error - face Shetland Islands on Monday before meeting Isle of Wight in their final group match on Tuesday.

The loss leaves Jersey bottom of their group after Shetland and Isle of Wight drew 2-2 earlier on Sunday.

The winners of the three groups in the 11-team tournament will progress to the semi-finals as well as the best-placed runner up.